Any advice for travel to the USA with medication anyone?
Looking at the FDA website it says a doctor's letter and proof of prescription is required and should be shown at border controls. Some "foreign" medication is not accepted🙄. Do I really have to declare my AF and BP medication?
The trip is planned for September...what with ESTA visa waiver, Covid vaccine validity period running out after 9 months, getting a GP letter is something else to add to the list and fret about!
If that is what they want, you would have a lot more worry if you don't comply! If you are on repeat prescription just take a photocopy or your next request form.
If you are taking the normal Afib and BP meds in the original pharmacy containers, I can't imagine they're would be any problem. If you have large amounts of opioids or other classified drugs, it might be worthwhile to have a letter of explanation. As a US citizen, I have always traveled with double the amount of drugs I usually take, and have not once been even asked about them on reentering the country. etheral
Having experienced US customs a few times, I always took the half of the printed prescription you get along with your meds when you pick them up, that sufficed but I wouldn’t chance a photocopy. Do exactly what they ask for or you may find yourself on the next plane home. Reason and negotiation doesn’t get you very far.
US customs can be quite problematic for none US citizens and last time my husband tried to clear US customs (in Ireland - US customs have (or had) a station in Dublin Airport) when asked if he was travelling for business or pleasure - he said both. Big mistake. He was hauled off and questioned for an hour and nearly missed his flight.
Curious, did they ask to see your prescriptions?
I had the paper in with clear plastic bag containing the meds so it was evident so I wasn’t asked but I did have to show which meds I was taking and was asked for what I was taking them and they did open one of the packets to check the tablets once - but think that was Pyridostigamine and they come loose in a 200 tab plastic container. All the others were in foil tabs.
I once forgot I had an apple in my hand luggage so that prompted a full blown search of everything! I have a few tales to tell about US customs but they mainly were about trying to enter US territory in the Caribbean on small yachts. You just have to remain very calm and answer everything extremely politely, which was unfortunately very difficult for my first husband who didn’t like being called an alien!
I once got challenged because I was wearing a hat made of banana leave which disturbed me………..but they were joshing me 😂
We travel frequently to the US as our son’s family live there. Never had a problem but always take brand new packets of medication with pharmacy sticker on and a repeat prescription with us. Sometimes, when we ask the pharmacy for a repeat prescription slip for this purpose they actually print it off in letter format and the pharmacist signs it. So far we have never been asked for proof but you never know and they can be very strict about such things. We once got stopped going out of Italy because of medicines. Mainly because we had a 5 hour delay and had needed medication during that time so it all got mixed up. All it meant was that we had all our suitcases searched so it just took time and the medication was not confiscated.
Interesting! And worth knowing.
Hi
I'm remembering. All boxes tired together need at last one sticker on it Like Pharmacy name, med name dosage and dosage. Name of dr prescribed and date etc.
cheers JOY
Great. Thank you. 😀
Hi I’ve just come back from Florida and to be honest I just put my meds in my case I’m on flecanide and propanolol I didn’t know you had to declare heart meds 🤦🏼♂️
We travel regularly to USA and in 20 years I have never declared my pills! I have them in my cabin bag, in original containers, lots of them!
Hi
It is always to have a Dr letter with updated meds list on it.
Always carry it on.
If Customs ask you can produce the letter.
Of course you need supplies.
I. went to Russia with medication, listed by Dr.
cheri JOY
Yes I need to book the GP appointment well ahead. It takes so long to get one these days.
I cross into the US every few weeks and have never ever had an Rx note or record - no questions, and I've never heard of that being required. I've crossed with meds in unmarked containers - never a question. That said, we are "frequent flyers" (by car) from Canada, one of us has US citizenship and we have Nexus passes. But our kids have never been asked either. I will say it is better to keep meds in original containers. Border officials are a law unto themselves and vary widely. Some of them can be really picky. You never know.marcyh
Flying to USA, walking/hiking at altitude.
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