KoreaClear · Travel answer
Can I bring my medicine to Korea?
Short answer
Whether your medicine needs advance permission or a customs declaration depends on its ingredients, quantity and import conditions. Check both MFDS and Korea Customs guidance before travel.
Medicines controlled as narcotics or psychotropics in Korea need advance MFDS approval and customs declaration. Check ingredients, not just the brand or condition.
Practical next steps
- Prepare the active ingredient, strength, quantity and travel dates for every medicine; keep the packaging and prescription information available.
- Ask MFDS about controlled ingredients and Customs about personal-use import conditions. Do not treat a prescription or a general quantity allowance as permission for every ingredient.
Korean message to show or send
이 약의 성분명, 함량, 수량과 입국일을 기준으로 반입 허가 및 필요 서류를 확인하고 싶습니다.
Fill in any blanks, show it, and check the reply you get.
What to do
- List each medicine’s active ingredients, strength, quantity and your travel dates.
- Check the MFDS personal-use controlled-medicine guidance and application route.
- If the requirement is unclear, contact MFDS or Korea Customs with those details before travel.
Check before relying on this
- Medicines controlled as narcotics or psychotropics in Korea need advance MFDS approval and customs declaration. Check ingredients, not just the brand or condition.
- A prescription does not automatically establish permission to bring a medicine into Korea. Requirements depend on the ingredients and your case.
- Do not assume a medicine is unrestricted because it is sold without a prescription in your home country. Check the active ingredients and the amount you plan to bring.
- Check Korea Customs’ current personal-use quantity and duty-free limits. If any condition is unclear, contact Customs or MFDS before travel.
More details and examples ExpandCollapse
Personal-use quantities: conditions matter
Korea Customs lists 6 bottles or up to a 3-month supply at the stated dosage for personal-use medicines, with exemption from import-requirement verification within the duty-free scope. This is a conditional customs rule, not permission to bring every medicine. Medicines count toward the combined US$800 duty-free allowance; they do not have a separate US$800 allowance.
Medicines that need a separate check
The quantity rule does not replace advance MFDS permission for narcotic or psychotropic medicines. Customs also lists separate conditions for medicines at risk of misuse. Products with CITES-regulated ingredients, items notified as harmful or prohibited by MFDS, and products with unclear ingredient labels require further checks even within the duty-free allowance. If your amount or any condition is unclear, ask Customs or MFDS before travel.
Sources and provider examples
External sources may use another language.
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