Medication Laws Restricted Pharmacy ImportsExactly how to bring prescription and OTC medication into South Korea legally, quantity limits, banned substances, and what customs requires.
South Korea allows most prescription medications through customs, but the quantity you can carry duty-free, and the paperwork required, depend entirely on what the drug is and how long you plan to stay.
The Basic Rule: 20-Day Supply Without a Permit
For the vast majority of prescription and over-the-counter medications, the Korea Customs Service applies a 20-day personal-use supply limit for travellers entering without prior clearance. Anything beyond that requires a "Permit to Import Medicines for Personal Use" (의약품 수입 허가서) issued in advance by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), Korea's pharmaceutical regulator, at www.mfds.go.kr.
Practically speaking:
- Up to a 20-day supply of non-controlled medication: declare it at customs (green channel if nothing else to declare) and carry your original prescription or pharmacy label.
- 21–90 days' worth: bring the MFDS permit plus a signed, dated letter from your physician explaining the diagnosis and daily dosage.
- Over 90 days: full MFDS import approval is required before you travel, apply at least 2–4 weeks ahead.
Always carry medications in their original labelled packaging. Loose pills in a pill organiser are not illegal, but they invite inspection delays.
Controlled Substances: A Hard Stop
South Korea enforces strict controls under the Narcotics Control Act (마약류 관리에 관한 법률). The following categories require a dedicated Narcotics Import Licence from the MFDS, independent of the general medicine permit:
- Opioids (oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl patches, codeine above 1 pct strength)
- Benzodiazepines (diazepam/Valium, alprazolam/Xanax, lorazepam/Ativan)
- Amphetamine-class ADHD medications (Adderall, Vyvanse), these are prohibited outright; methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) requires the licence
- Zolpidem (Stilnox/Ambien), Schedule 4 in Korea; licence required for import
- Tramadol, licence required even for a short stay
Travelling without this licence for any of the above is a criminal offence. Penalties include confiscation, fines, and detention. Apply via the MFDS Narcotics Division at least one month before departure.
Adderall is banned in South Korea
Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall, Vyvanse) are Schedule 1 narcotics in Korea with no approved medical use. They cannot be imported under any permit. Travellers who rely on them should consult a Korean psychiatrist in advance, methylphenidate products like Ritalin are available locally with a Korean prescription.
OTC Medications: What Slips Through Easily
Most everyday over-the-counter drugs travel without friction as long as quantities are reasonable:
- Ibuprofen, paracetamol (acetaminophen), antihistamines, antacids, no declaration required for a personal supply under 20 days.
- Pseudoephedrine-containing cold medications (Sudafed 12-hour): technically a controlled precursor in Korea. Bring a small supply (one box) with the original packaging and expect no issue for tourist quantities. Bringing bulk quantities triggers scrutiny.
- Insulin and biologics: exempted from quantity limits for documented diabetics. Carry your prescription and, for insulin pens/pumps, a doctor's letter. Ice packs or cooling pouches are permitted in carry-on by most airlines for insulin transport.
At the Customs Desk
Declare medications at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 or 2 customs desks, the same counters handling agricultural goods and currency declarations. Use the Korea Customs Passenger Declaration Form (여행자 휴대품 신고서), which has an explicit field for medicines.
What to carry in a single, accessible pouch:
- Original prescription or pharmacy printout (English is accepted; an official translation is not required but helps)
- Physician letter for controlled substances or large quantities
- MFDS permit printout if applicable
- For biologics: proof of cold-chain handling
Customs officers at Incheon are experienced with international travellers. A polite, upfront declaration is almost always resolved quickly. Attempting to conceal medication, particularly controlled substances, triggers x-ray secondary inspection and potential criminal referral.
- Duty-free supply limit
- 20 days (no permit)
- Controlled substance licence
- MFDS Narcotics Division
- Adderall
- Vyvanse status
- Banned outright, no import permit available
- MFDS website
- www.mfds.go.kr
- Permit lead time
- 2–4 weeks minimum
- Customs declaration form
- Required for all prescription drugs
Before You Fly
Contact the MFDS Import Permit Office (+82-43-719-2805) or your nearest South Korean consulate at least three weeks before departure if you carry any controlled substance. For complex cases, multiple medications, stays over 60 days, rare biologics, consider a brief telehealth consultation with a licensed Korean physician (services like GangnamSevit International Clinic or Seoul Medical Centre International Health offer pre-arrival guidance) to ensure your Korean prescriptions are in order for refills if your supply runs short.
Planning ahead costs an afternoon. Getting it wrong at Incheon can cost your trip.
Medication
Medication
