US Customs - Prescription Medication Issues?

[phiota]

I'm pretty sure it would not be an issue (despite US law saying otherwise) but would like confirmation that no one ever got into trouble before. Going to Bangkok later this year to purchase couple prescription medications to last me two years then go to US for a vacation/trip back home before coming back to China.

If issue then maybe will go to bangkok on the end of the trip (then to China) rather then at the beginning.

thanks,

John

[Davis Knowlton]

Just an opinion, but if I could organize my trip to avoid giving the assholes at US Customs any reason at all to screw with me, I would.

[rickschoppers]

Even though it is supposedly against the law to bring in prescription medicaitons from a foreign country, thousands, if not millions of Americans obtain their needed medications from outside the US.

Will US Customs do anything if you get caught? I would think the worst that would happen is that they would confiscate them unless they were a controlled substance. I have brought medications (non-controlled substances) into the US from Mexico and Thailand and never had anyone stop me.

[Davis Knowlton]

^Agree that the chances of a hassle are slight - I've done it as well with non-controlled drugs. But if you don't have to, why take a chance.

[bsnub]

IF you are buying in bulk I would advise sending the majority through the mail. The chances of the package getting checked are far lower than your person.

[BobR]

"Prescription medications" is a little vague, most medical drugs in the USA are sold by prescription only, but they are not scheduled (narcotic) substances. It's not illegal to possess these without a prescription, it's only illegal for a pharmacy to sell them without one. Even antibiotics or blood pressure pills fall under that category in the US.

If you're talking about anything that is not narcotic (or not a scheduled drug) you shouldn't have a big problem even if you are caught

However, if your talking about narcotics (which are scheduled drugs) such as strong pain medications, sleeping pills, adderall, xanax and other psychotropic drugs you're taking a very big chance, which could be an even bigger problem since a 2 year supply would be enough to allege possession for sales.

[FailSafe]

It's a very good idea to have an actual prescription with you (if possible) in the unlikely event they find your stuff- finding a doctor in BKK to write you one shouldn't be a big deal.

[ralphlsasser]

I agree with failsafe. I've traveled with my medicine I've bought here and never had a problem, but.....you never know. It's better to be on the safe side. Make sure they are in the proper packaging with your name on them also. BUt, in case they do throw you in jail, the jails in the US are a lot better than here.

[ralphlsasser]

Just an opinion, but if I could organize my trip to avoid giving the assholes at US Customs any reason at all to screw with me, I would.

LOL They're not much on making any friends. Are they?

[Looper]

I once had customs rifle through everything and take prescription medicine off me. This lardy 40-ish poker-faced customs woman also asked me if I had met anybody interesting in Thailand. I think she had a cob on about single men going to Thailand and so decided to shake me down since her old man had not poked her in a month.

They say you need to show a prescription when transiting with meds. I never go to doctors but I thought the doc gave you the script, then you gave it to the chemist, so then you don't have the script anymore, so how does that work?

[can123]

The prescription should be repeated on the carton which contains the medication. Something like this :

Magic Erection Tablets

Mr Fred Bloggs

Two to be taken four times a day with water before meals.