Codeine (Medication) → Vietnam

Codeine (Medication) may require documentation or declaration

Details

Codeine in Vietnam is classified as a Group III psychotropic substance under Decree 73/2018/ND-CP. Travelers may carry a 7-day personal supply with original prescription; quantities above require Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) pre-arrival permit. Vietnam Customs at NBA / SGN / DAD inspects medication-bearing baggage; without documentation, carriage is treated as smuggling under Article 248. Enforcement in Vietnam carries fines from VND 1,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 under Customs Law 2014; Government Decree 128/2020; Criminal Code Art. 188 (ordinary personal cases are handled as civil infringements). Leaving Vietnam with codeine (medication) is a separate question — restricted: Codeine is a controlled opioid analgesic subject to personal-export limits when leaving Vietnam.

Quantity limit

Up to 30-day personal supply with valid prescription

Documentation required

• Documentation may be required

Leaving with this item

Codeine is a controlled opioid analgesic subject to personal-export limits when leaving Vietnam.

Practical advice

Carry documentation. Declare proactively at customs.

Customs authority

General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) · https://www.customs.gov.vn