Mailing Medicines To Us

[KruMac]

The Suvarnabhumi sit-in aborted our usual trip to Thailand this winter -- long story but we could not leave California after Dec 1. Each time we are in Chiangmai I normally buy enough asthma meds (Seretide) to last me until our next trip to Thailand, so for the next few months I may have to shop elsewhere.

I could ask friends in Chiangmai to send me some, but I'm not sure of the odds for those meds actually making it here. The tab would be nearly 10,000 baht which is a fraction of what the same meds cost here, but still much more than I'd like to lose, so I thought I'd ask if anyone has any recent experience mailing meds from Thailand to the US?

Thanks.

[cali4995]

we'll ignore the fact that you're balancing on a fine edge with legal issues. the last time i went through

LAX, they did everything but probe me an_lly to determine if i was carrying drugs. and if you saw me

you'd laugh, middle-aged, follically challenged, casual business attire, relatively small guy, really

customs is pathetic. i'd heard fedex had their own customs clearing. i've had success sending things home

with them. the regular post office are a bunch of thieving bast_rds. stole christmas gifts i sent home to family.

P.S. of course you're asked to declare on a form what is being sent, since it sounds like over the counter stuff

maybe not such a big deal to exercise a little creative license with the statement of contents.

[Jingthing]

If going through a border, my info says you are allowed a three month supply only and you must have a prescription. Expats can probably get by with some kind of note from a Thai doctor. If you still a US resident, you must declare the value. Of course, if the med is not approved in the US, they may deny it. Personally I brought in meds from Thailand for years this way and it was not illegal, as long as you declare the value. Mailing it? I think very risky and by no means mail more than a three month supply. The US government does not want people to bypass the US pharmaceutical industry ($$$$$$).

Another point to those walking in meds. If you do and you do not declare the value on the customs form (US residents) and they catch you, you have a problem.

Edited January 3, 2009 by Jingthing

[KruMac]

Mailing it? I think very risky and by no means mail more than a three month supply.

As I assumed, thank you. Still, the price differentials make it tempting to try at least a couple of months' worth. A six-month supply costs $1,200 at Drugstore.com, $630 at CanadianPharmacychoice.com, and ฿7,800 (≈$225) in Chiangmai, so buying those meds in Chiangmai gives me a free round-trip ticket each year!

FWIW, I've never, ever, had any issues with customs at LAX, perhaps partly because I always travel with wife and daughter?

[Jingthing]

Regarding customs, all I am saying is that you are legally obligated to declare the value of all purchases if you are a US resident. By no problem, perhaps you mean you weren't searched. Or are you saying you didn't declare the value, they did find the meds and didn't care? That would surprise me.

Edited January 3, 2009 by Jingthing

[noahvail]

Regarding customs, all I am saying is that you are legally obligated to declare the value of all purchases if you are a US resident. By no problem, perhaps you mean you weren't searched. Or are you saying you didn't declare the value, they did find the meds and didn't care? That would surprise me.

I've flown in and out of the US and New Zealand for years, and twice in and out of Thailand last year. I've never declared a value, but checked the box that says I'm carrying drugs - then explain that they're prescription meds, usually 3 months' worth. Customs usually just waves me through without bothering to look, although the last time coming into LOS an inspector looked at the first box then waved me through. Oh, and a bald, bearded guy with long hair in the back doesn't seem to raise any red flags ;-) maybe I'm just lucky.