Meds Into The Us

[noahvail]

Hi all, not sure where to turn, so it's TV!

I'm going to the US this summer. When I emigrated from NZ, I brought all my meds with me in little boxes and bottles with the pharmacy's instructions and referencing which doctor scripted them. Now, I get these same meds OTC (even ones that are controlled substances in the US), and they come in little plastic baggies with instructions written in Thai. I have a letter from my doc in NZ listing my current meds (only one has been added). What's the best and legal way to bring 3 week's worth of my meds with me to the US?

TIA for your help

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Hi all, not sure where to turn, so it's TV!

I'm going to the US this summer. When I emigrated from NZ, I brought all my meds with me in little boxes and bottles with the pharmacy's instructions and referencing which doctor scripted them. Now, I get these same meds OTC (even ones that are controlled substances in the US), and they come in little plastic baggies with instructions written in Thai. I have a letter from my doc in NZ listing my current meds (only one has been added). What's the best and legal way to bring 3 week's worth of my meds with me to the US?

TIA for your help

"Best way" Not sure, but you're at least one up on me, you have a doctor's note.

When I visit the U.S. (went last year, going again this year) I just toss my meds and the printed instructions that go with them, in a ziplock bag and take along with my carry-on bag. Never have declared them, never have had a problem.

And I've got one pill for cholesterol, two eye drops for glaucoma, two drugs for asthma, and one pill for GERD, all OTC here, all prescription drugs in the U.S.

Just be able to explain why you're taking these along, and three week's worth is a pretty minimal amount.

Reminds me, tho, that one day I might be checked so next trip will take along as evidence of use my health insurance claim form for last year.

Mac

[noahvail]

Thanks, Bina, for closing the duplicate thread. Evidently it was moved, and I wasn't aware of that. Just figured out how to find my own posts. So everybody, yes, it's on the up and up, I don't want any trouble so want to follow the rules. Every time I've traveled, I always check the box on the declaration form for carrying drugs; explain that they're prescription meds, and generally they don't even bother looking, though they looked at the top of my med tray in Thailand and then just smiled and waved me on. Never having come across a country like Thailand before, where the doctor doesn't write a prescription, just tells you to go and buy the meds you need, I am wondering how to go about getting a script that the authorities will accept. I know I'd be wondering about prescription meds in zip-loc baggies!

[Sheryl]

I think Mac's advice is correct. If all meds are clearly labelled in the pharmacy bag (including your name) and if you have a doctor's letter stating you are on at least all of those that are controlled substances, and if quantity is small enough that clearly for personal use, you should be fine.

I am puzzled though as to why controlled drugs would only be in pharmacy plastic bags with handwritten labelling since AFAIK all the drugs which are controlled substances in the US are also so in Thailand and thus would have come from a Thai hospital, in which case there is usually a sticker with hospital and doctor's name etc?

[Thanyaburi Mac]

I think Mac's advice is correct. If all meds are clearly labelled in the pharmacy bag (including your name) and if you have a doctor's letter stating you are on at least all of those that are controlled substances, and if quantity is small enough that clearly for personal use, you should be fine.

I am puzzled though as to why controlled drugs would only be in pharmacy plastic bags with handwritten labelling since AFAIK all the drugs which are controlled substances in the US are also so in Thailand and thus would have come from a Thai hospital, in which case there is usually a sticker with hospital and doctor's name etc?

Sheryl

Good point re "controlled substances," however might Noahvail have meant "prescription drugs?"

Different procedures, yes.

Noahvail, over to you.

Mac

[lopburi3]

Poster seems to be talking about normal prescription drugs - not controlled narcotic types which require hospital issue. I would visit a hospital doctor and get the drugs for that period from hospital. They may still be plastic bags but there will be a hospital sticker with full information and what can be considered a prescription number. This should be fully acceptable to US immigration.

[noahvail]

I think Mac's advice is correct. If all meds are clearly labelled in the pharmacy bag (including your name) and if you have a doctor's letter stating you are on at least all of those that are controlled substances, and if quantity is small enough that clearly for personal use, you should be fine.

I am puzzled though as to why controlled drugs would only be in pharmacy plastic bags with handwritten labelling since AFAIK all the drugs which are controlled substances in the US are also so in Thailand and thus would have come from a Thai hospital, in which case there is usually a sticker with hospital and doctor's name etc?

Sheryl

Good point re "controlled substances," however might Noahvail have meant "prescription drugs?"

Different procedures, yes.

Noahvail, over to you.

Mac

Thanks to all for your help. I'm working through it, thanks to you guys.

Yes, Mac, they're all prescription drugs - the pharmacist went from my NZ doc's list and with one exception, we're maintaining that. I think the ones I'm most concerned about are the PRN - as needed - painkillers, and anti-anxiety meds. Maybe the correct word is 'scheduled' as opposed to 'controlled.'

I like Lopburi3's advice to see a hospital doctor and have the hospital tags on the bags. It makes sense, and for very little extra expense, it could save a world of hassles. And yes, I'd only be taking about 3 week's worth...people should be able to match up the quantities of meds with the timing of the return ticket, yes? Seems logical, but after a while in LoS, my logic seems to be changing .

Again, many thanks. I feel comfortable that I won't get hassled by US customs. Whew! What a relief!

[Sheryl]

Yes, if the pain meds are narcotic (e.g. codeine with tylenol) and for tranquilizers, get them from the hospital. With that and also a doctor's letter you should be just fine. In fact with that alone, for just a short-term supply you'd probably be fine, but doesn't hurt to carry physician letter too just in case.

[noahvail]

Yes, if the pain meds are narcotic (e.g. codeine with tylenol) and for tranquilizers, get them from the hospital. With that and also a doctor's letter you should be just fine. In fact with that alone, for just a short-term supply you'd probably be fine, but doesn't hurt to carry physician letter too just in case.

Cheers, Sheryl, thanks for that

[Jingthing]

Note that US RESIDENTS must include the dollar value of the meds they purchased in Thailand on their customs form. If you are only visiting even if a US citizen, the meds will presumably be consumed by you during your VISIT and the value should not be declared. In that case, only items that are going to be left in the US, such as gifts, should be declared.

Edited April 21, 2009 by Jingthing

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Note that US RESIDENTS must include the dollar value of the meds they purchased in Thailand on their customs form. If you are only visiting even if a US citizen, the meds will presumably be consumed by you during your VISIT and the value should not be declared. In that case, only items that are going to be left in the US, such as gifts, should be declared.

The U.S. Customs form is here: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation...ration_form.xml

No specific Q re meds, which is why I don't list them when I'm going for a visit. And, yes, Jingthing, I only take what I need for 4-6 weeks.

One interesting thing about U.S. Customs is that they classify me as a "non-resident" even tho I'm an AmCit, thus I only gt a $100 pass on goodies carried in. Got "caught" on this once several years back when I listed my U.S. address on the form as "where do you live," the roaming inspector thumbed through my passport, saw the "retirement" extensions, told me I have only the $100 exemption, and since I'd declared $300, pointed me to the cashier and said pay her $25. Did so.

Mac

[Jingthing]

To clarify,

if you are a US resident, you do NOT list the meds on the form but you should include the dollar value of the meds.

Here is why.

Say you bought a $200 figurine of a Thai boxer and you also were bringing in $300 of meds for personal use.

If you put down $200 and they search you and find the Thai sourced meds they will find that you LIED on your customs form. So in such case you should legally put $500.

If you are not a US resident, my opinion is that you do not put down the value of meds you will consume during your visit because visitors are only required to declare items they will LEAVE in the US, such as gifts.

[lopburi3]

But as expats we, and poster, are not US residents.

[Jingthing]

But as expats we, and poster, are not US residents.

Yes, but many people reading the board are US residents and they should be aware the rules are different for US residents vs. non-residents.

[noahvail]

Note that US RESIDENTS must include the dollar value of the meds they purchased in Thailand on their customs form. If you are only visiting even if a US citizen, the meds will presumably be consumed by you during your VISIT and the value should not be declared. In that case, only items that are going to be left in the US, such as gifts, should be declared.

The U.S. Customs form is here: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation...ration_form.xml

No specific Q re meds, which is why I don't list them when I'm going for a visit. And, yes, Jingthing, I only take what I need for 4-6 weeks.

One interesting thing about U.S. Customs is that they classify me as a "non-resident" even tho I'm an AmCit, thus I only gt a $100 pass on goodies carried in. Got "caught" on this once several years back when I listed my U.S. address on the form as "where do you live," the roaming inspector thumbed through my passport, saw the "retirement" extensions, told me I have only the $100 exemption, and since I'd declared $300, pointed me to the cashier and said pay her $25. Did so.

Mac

Wow- things have changed since I was last back in the States. Used to be just the little declaration card on the plane.

Just for fun...I have NZ citizenship as well as USA, and always travel on the NZ passport; except, of course, in and out of the States. So the US passport shows lots of departures and returns, but nothing else. Of course, I carry the NZ passport with me, and that's where the retirement extension shows. But I wouldn't try anything underhanded. Had a retired IRS agent in a taxation course many years ago, and he said the first rule was: Don't mess with Uncle. I took it to heart then, and I still do now. Just not worth the hassles, which is why I started this thread. Thanks to Jingthing and Mac and Lopburi3 for the additional info! This is why Thaivisa.com is so good, a font of information (yeah, and sometimes disinformation, but we can count on folks like Jingthing to set us straight ).