Traveling with Medications to 🇰🇷 South Korea
| Medication | Category | Status | Quantity Limit | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Codeine Co-codamol, Tylenol 3, Solpadeine | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Tramadol Ultram, Tramacet, Zydol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Adderall (Amphetamine) Adderall, Adderall XR, Dexedrine | stimulant | PROHIBITED | Zero tolerance | NO |
Ritalin (Methylphenidate) Ritalin, Concerta, Medikinet | stimulant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Modafinil Provigil, Alertec, Modavigil | wakefulness-agent | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Testosterone Sustanon, Nebido, AndroGel | hormone-anabolic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Medical Cannabis Epidiolex, Sativex, Bedrocan | cannabis | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
CBD (Cannabidiol) Charlotte's Web, Epidiolex, Various brands | cannabis-derivative | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Diazepam Valium, Diastat, Diazemuls | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Melatonin Circadin, Natrol Melatonin, Various OTC brands | sleep-hormone | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Pseudoephedrine Sudafed, Actifed, Clarinase | decongestant | RESTRICTED | Personal use | NO |
Amoxicillin Amoxil, Trimox, Augmentin (with clavulanic acid) | antibiotic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Azithromycin Zithromax, Zmax, Z-Pak | antibiotic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Metformin Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza | diabetes-medication | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Insulin (injectable) Humalog, NovoLog, Lantus | diabetes-medication | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Atorvastatin Lipitor | lipid-lowering | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Lisinopril Prinivil, Zestril | antihypertensive | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Amlodipine Norvasc | antihypertensive | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Levothyroxine Synthroid, Eltroxin, Euthyrox | thyroid-hormone | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Omeprazole Prilosec, Losec | proton-pump-inhibitor | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Prednisone (Prednisolone) Deltasone, Sterapred | corticosteroid | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler) Ventolin, Proventil, ProAir | bronchodilator | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Warfarin Coumadin, Jantoven | anticoagulant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Ibuprofen Advil, Motrin, Nurofen | nsaid | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen Tylenol, Panadol, Calpol | analgesic | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Morphine MS Contin, Sevredol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Oxycodone OxyContin, Percocet, Roxicodone | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Alprazolam Xanax, Niravam | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Lorazepam Ativan | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Sertraline Zoloft, Lustral | antidepressant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Fluoxetine Prozac, Sarafem | antidepressant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Metoprolol Lopressor, Toprol-XL, Betaloc | beta-blocker | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Esomeprazole Nexium | proton-pump-inhibitor | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Detailed Rules
Codeine
WHO: Narcotic (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Codeine is a controlled substance in south-korea; pre-arrival permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
SOUTH-KOREA pharmaceutical authority pre-approval
Tramadol
WHO: Not internationally scheduled but controlled in many countries
Tramadol is a controlled substance in south-korea; pre-arrival permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
SOUTH-KOREA pharmaceutical authority pre-approval
Adderall (Amphetamine)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, Schedule II)
Amphetamines are strictly controlled in South Korea under the Narcotics Control Act. Unauthorized import carries severe criminal penalties. Alternative ADHD medications should be obtained through a Korean physician.
Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule II)
Ritalin (Methylphenidate) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Modafinil
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Modafinil is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Testosterone
WHO: Not scheduled under international conventions but controlled as anabolic steroid in many countries
Testosterone is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Medical Cannabis
WHO: Schedule I (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Medical Cannabis is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
CBD (Cannabidiol)
WHO: Removed from Schedule I in 2020 WHO recommendation; national laws vary widely
CBD (Cannabidiol) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Diazepam
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Diazepam is a controlled substance in south-korea; pre-arrival permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
SOUTH-KOREA pharmaceutical authority pre-approval
Melatonin
WHO: Not internationally scheduled
Melatonin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Pseudoephedrine
WHO: Precursor chemical (listed in Table I of the UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic, 1988)
Controlled as a precursor substance. Small personal quantities with original packaging generally accepted.
- —Original packaging
Amoxicillin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (penicillin antibiotic)
Amoxicillin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Azithromycin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (macrolide antibiotic)
Azithromycin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Metformin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (oral antidiabetic)
Metformin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Insulin (injectable)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (hormone)
Insulin (injectable) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Atorvastatin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (statin)
Atorvastatin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Lisinopril
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (ACE inhibitor)
Lisinopril is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Amlodipine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (calcium channel blocker)
Amlodipine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Levothyroxine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (thyroid hormone)
Levothyroxine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Omeprazole
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (PPI)
Rx-only in this market.
- —Prescription
Prednisone (Prednisolone)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (corticosteroid)
Prednisone (Prednisolone) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (β2-agonist)
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Warfarin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (anticoagulant)
Warfarin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Ibuprofen
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (NSAID)
Ibuprofen is OTC in most destinations.
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (analgesic)
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen is OTC in most destinations.
Morphine
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Morphine is a controlled substance in south-korea; pre-arrival permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
SOUTH-KOREA pharmaceutical authority pre-approval
Oxycodone
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Oxycodone is a controlled substance in south-korea; pre-arrival permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
SOUTH-KOREA pharmaceutical authority pre-approval
Alprazolam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, Schedule IV)
Alprazolam is a controlled substance in south-korea; pre-arrival permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
SOUTH-KOREA pharmaceutical authority pre-approval
Lorazepam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention 1971 Schedule IV)
Lorazepam is a controlled substance in south-korea; pre-arrival permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
SOUTH-KOREA pharmaceutical authority pre-approval
Sertraline
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Sertraline is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Fluoxetine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Fluoxetine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Metoprolol
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (beta-blocker)
Metoprolol is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Esomeprazole
WHO: PPI (related to omeprazole)
Rx-only in this market.
- —Prescription