Travelling with prescription medicine: what to carry

Prescription medicine rarely causes trouble at a border, but it does when the paperwork is missing or when the drug is controlled in the country you are entering. The safe routine is short: carry the medicine in its original labelled packaging, carry a copy of the prescription, and check the destination's rules before you fly.

Documents worth carrying

• A copy of the prescription showing the medicine name, dose and your name.
• A brief letter from the prescriber on letterhead, listing the medicines and why you take them.
• The original pharmacy packaging with the dispensing label intact.
• A printed list of generic names, since brand names differ between countries.

Keep paper copies as well as photos on your phone. A border officer or a pharmacist abroad may not accept a screenshot on its own.

Check the destination's rules first

Some medicines sold freely in one country are controlled in another, and a few common painkillers and stimulants fall into that group. The rules depend on the destination, not on your home country. National travel advice services summarise restrictions country by country, and the destination's embassy or consulate can confirm what a visitor needs. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes guidance for travelling abroad with medicine at cdc.gov. Looking up official country guidance is often the fastest way to confirm what applies, for example the country pages at gov.uk.

If a medicine is controlled, you may need a permit or a certified letter before departure, and that can take weeks. Apply early rather than at the airport.

At airport security

Liquid medicines are usually allowed in larger quantities than the standard cabin liquid limit, but you should declare them at screening and keep them separate from other liquids. Security staff may test or inspect the containers. The Transport Security Administration lists medical items and screening rules at tsa.gov.

Pack medicine in your hand baggage

Checked bags get delayed and cargo holds get cold, so keep medicine with you. Carry enough for the whole trip plus a few extra days in case of delays, and split the supply between two bags if you can. Ask a pharmacist how your medicine behaves at high or low temperatures, and how to store it if refrigeration is needed.

Bottom line: original packaging, a prescription copy and a prescriber letter cover most situations. Check the destination's controlled-medicine rules early, and keep the supply in your hand baggage.