Moving abroad with prescription medication
A 6-step playbook for relocating internationally while managing a prescription regimen — controlled medications, supply quantities, doctor letters, and what to do at the border on arrival.
Checklist
- 01
Inventory every prescription you take: drug name, generic name, controlled-substance schedule (in your home country and the destination), prescribed quantity, refill schedule.
- 02
Check each medication against the destination's controlled-substances list. Adderall, Tramadol, codeine, testosterone, and benzodiazepines are tightly controlled or prohibited in many destinations even with a prescription.
- 03
Apply for any required pre-arrival permit at least 14 days before travel (Japan Yakkan-Shoumei, Singapore HSA Personal Import, Thailand FDA, UAE MOH, Indonesia BPOM). Without a permit, the medication is seized at customs — not delayed.
- 04
Carry medications in original retail / pharmacy packaging with the dispensing label intact. Carry a doctor's letter listing each medication, the diagnosis, dose, and quantity. Translate the letter into the destination's official language for non-English-speaking customs.
- 05
Split the supply: carry 90 days in carry-on for in-flight use; ship the remainder via licensed international pharmacy partner if your supply runs deeper. Loose tablets without packaging are seized regardless of prescription.
- 06
On arrival, declare controlled medications to customs (Red Channel) even if your destination uses an electronic declaration system. Present the permit and the doctor's letter; expect a brief inspection.