MEDICATION OTC

Prescription Glasses

LOW RISK

VERIFIED · 2026-04-28REGULATION STABLEReport a correction

24allowed

0restricted

0prohibited

74 rules across 74 countries

ALSO KNOWN ASeyeglassesspectaclescontact lensesprescription eyewearreading glasses

Can I take Prescription Glasses across a border? Yes in many places, with conditions. Of the 74 country-rules we've indexed for Prescription Glasses, 24 are allowed (often with limits), 0 are restricted (permit, declaration, or quantity cap), and 0 are prohibited outright. Customs rules depend on the destination, the purpose (travelling, posting, importing personally, or importing commercially), and the quantity.

Prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses are corrective optical devices prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They include single-vision, bifocal, and progressive lenses mounted in frames, as well as daily, weekly, and monthly disposable contact lenses and the solutions used to care for them. Prescription eyewear is one of the safest categories for international travel — it is universally accepted as a personal medical item and rarely triggers customs scrutiny at any border. The primary practical concerns for travelers with prescription glasses or contact lenses are ensuring adequate supplies for the trip duration, carrying a copy of the prescription in case replacements need to be sourced locally, and managing contact lens solutions under airline liquid restrictions. Contact lens solutions are classified as liquids under IATA aviation security rules and are subject to the 100 ml per container rule for carry-on baggage. Hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning systems (such as CIBA Vision AO Sept or Bausch + Lomb BioTrue) use larger bottle sizes that typically do not comply with the 100 ml carry-on limit and should be packed in checked baggage. Prescription notation systems differ internationally — continental European notation and US notation for sphere, cylinder, and axis are largely compatible, but confirming the prescription with a local optometrist may be advisable for complex prescriptions. Orthokeratology lenses (designed to reshape the cornea overnight) and specialty therapeutic lenses may require documentation of medical purpose in some markets. Contact lens imports in commercial quantities face regulatory scrutiny from medical device authorities in many countries.

WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?

Carry prescription glasses in my luggage

74 country rules for personal travel

Common mistakes with Prescription Glasses

Assuming the rules at the origin apply at the destination — they don't. The destination customs authority is the binding rule.
Travelling and posting are treated differently: an item you can carry may be prohibited by post (and vice versa).
Personal vs commercial intent: above a quantity threshold, customs may treat your shipment as commercial regardless of intent.
Undervaluing on the customs declaration to avoid duty — treated as fraud in most jurisdictions.
Vague item descriptions on CN22/CN23 — biggest single cause of postal customs holds.
Carrying medication in unmarked containers, without the original prescription, or above 30-90 days' supply.
Missing required certificates (phytosanitary, veterinary, CITES, prescription, product compliance).

Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting. Not legal advice.

HS codes

9004.90 — Spectacles, goggles and the like, corrective
9001.40 — Spectacle lenses of glass
9001.50 — Spectacle lenses of other materials

Regulatory trend

https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/instrument-and-tools/hs_nomenclature_2022_edition.aspx — no customs restrictions on prescription eyewear

Names in other languages

es: lentes de prescripción, gafas graduadas, anteojos de receta
fr: lunettes de vue, lunettes correctrices, verres correcteurs
de: Korrektionsbrille, Sehhilfe, Brillengläser
zh: 处方眼镜, 近视眼镜, 验光眼镜
ja: 処方眼鏡, 矯正眼鏡, 度入り眼鏡

General notes

Prescription glasses and contact lenses for personal use are among the most straightforward items to carry internationally. They are universally permitted for personal use and rarely subject to customs scrutiny. Contact lens solutions containing hydrogen peroxide are subject to airline liquid restrictions (100 ml per container in carry-on). Bulk quantities of contact lenses suggesting commercial intent may attract duties. Some countries require that contact lens solutions meet local registration standards if purchased commercially. Travelers should carry a copy of their optical prescription in case glasses are lost or broken, as specifications vary internationally (different notations for sphere, cylinder, and axis).