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Americans flying back home with meds ?


oMega69

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Controlled substance class IV  . . . . Xanax

 

prescribed in Thailand , and flying to USA . . been spoken to CBP they say its okey if meds in original containers and have the correct labels with namn dosage etc, and max 90 days supply..

No need to declare it when landing in US.

 

Is this info correct? im bit scared to fly with controlled substances . .

 

So please enlight me.

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Declare it anyway!

Better a 10 min delay at customs and being told declaration was not necessary than being caught with undeclared drugs which might be illegal to take into the US and therefore being treated as a drug smuggler...

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On 9/13/2019 at 7:51 AM, oMega69 said:

prescribed in Thailand , and flying to USA . . been spoken to CBP they say its okey if meds in original containers and have the correct labels with namn dosage etc, and max 90 days supply..

No need to declare it when landing in US.

I would be careful as it seems by your spelling you might be under the influence when you land. Giving them a clear right to search you and your luggage.  Why not just get a new prescription back in the states?

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I'm sympathetic to your caution. I always have trouble sleeping and Xanax (Alprazolam) is my night time pill of choice. May I ask please, where did you have it prescribed? Were you able to go to a clinic or did you have to go to a major hospital?  I'm anxiously awaiting your reply! 

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I have no prescription just buy it over the counter.

 

I put a supply for my trip in a old prescription bottle with my Lipitor.

That and Viagra for my buddies.

Never had a problem or question. 

I would be very very surprised if they decided to search one prescription bottle never heard or seen it happen. Unless I guess there are other circumstances which created it.

 

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52 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

I have no prescription just buy it over the counter.

 

I put a supply for my trip in a old prescription bottle with my Lipitor.

That and Viagra for my buddies.

Never had a problem or question. 

I would be very very surprised if they decided to search one prescription bottle never heard or seen it happen. Unless I guess there are other circumstances which created it.

 

Well it was 9 years ago but arriving in San Francisco they sat me down and went through everything.  Every pocket.  Every bottle.  What is this pill what is that for, do you have a script.  They looked and questioned absolutely everything.

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4 minutes ago, Shouldhaveknownbetter said:

Well it was 9 years ago but arriving in San Francisco they sat me down and went through everything.  Every pocket.  Every bottle.  What is this pill what is that for, do you have a script.  They looked and questioned absolutely everything.

Ok.  I guess the luck or unluck of the draw.

Have come in Calif. maybe 50 times from international.

I have had my bags searched twice.

But, it was all a cursory and they did not even look at my prescription bottle.

 

I do not think someone will get busted(arrested) for having something like Xanax for personal use.

Anyway, your choice I personally would not worry about it but up to you.

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3 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Ok.  I guess the luck or unluck of the draw.

Have come in Calif. maybe 50 times from international.

I have had my bags searched twice.

But, it was all a cursory and they did not even look at my prescription bottle.

 

I do not think someone will get busted(arrested) for having something like Xanax for personal use.

Anyway, your choice I personally would not worry about it but up to you.

I do have to admit, I did make a stupid joke to the IO.  I have a question, if anyone has an answer.  I do want to bring  some amoxi just in case.  No script, is that legal ?

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6 hours ago, Swiss1960 said:

Declare it anyway!

Better a 10 min delay at customs and being told declaration was not necessary than being caught with undeclared drugs which might be illegal to take into the US and therefore being treated as a drug smuggler...

Good advice. The authorities cannot prosecute for  declared controlled substances, only confiscate them.

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Some info i did get :

 

Source: FDA
"In general, you should have with you a valid prescription or doctor’s note—written in English—to bring medication to the U.S. The medication should be in its original container with the doctor’s instructions printed on the bottle. If you don’t have the original container, bring a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor explaining your condition and why you need this medication. Travel with no more than you need for your personal use during your stay. A rule of thumb: Bring no more than a 90-day supply of medication."

 

Source: DEA

"

Any individual who has in his/her possession a controlled substance listed in schedules II, III, IV, or V, which he/she has lawfully obtained for his/her personal medical use, or for administration to an animal accompanying him/her, may enter or depart the United States with such substance notwithstanding sections 1002-1005 of the Act (21 U.S.C. 952-955), provided the following conditions are met:

(a) The controlled substance is in the original container in which it was dispensed to the individual; and

(b) The individual makes a declaration to an appropriate customs officer stating:

(1) That the controlled substance is possessed for his/her personal use, or for an animal accompanying him/her; and

(2) The trade or chemical name and the symbol designating the schedule of the controlled substance if it appears on the container label, or, if such name does not appear on the label, the name [[Page 36]] and address of the pharmacy or practitioner who dispensed the substance and the prescription number."

 

Source:  CBP

 

"

Thank you for contacting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Information Center.

The medications are a part of your personal effects (like clothing) and do not need to be declared. However, everything is subject to search and if you do not have the correct documents for the medications they will be subject to seizure.

 
Thank you again for contacting our office.

NOTE:  The answers provided in this forum are for general information purposes only. Utilizing this forum does not constitute reasonable care under the Informed Compliance guidelines.

 

"

Travelers can generally bring prescription medication into the United States.  Although the generally accepted amount is no more than a 90-day supply, more might be allowable at the discretion of the CBP Officer based upon your length of visit, the type of medication and the medical purpose.

CBP highly recommends that you carry prescription medications in the pharmacy or hospital dispensed containers having pharmacy labels with the following information:

•    Name of the patient
•    Prescribing doctor's name
•    Date of dispense or prescription
•    Name of the medication
•    Dosing instructions

Prescription medications not carried in the original pharmacy dispensed container require the patient to carry a copy of the prescription or a letter from the prescribing doctor explaining that the medication is medically necessary.  The letter should be in English, or with an official English translation, and written on the doctor’s professional letterhead.

Travelers cannot enter the United States with a prescription medication prescribed to another person.

Thank you again for contacting our office. "
 

-

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1 hour ago, Shouldhaveknownbetter said:

I do have to admit, I did make a stupid joke to the IO.  I have a question, if anyone has an answer.  I do want to bring  some amoxi just in case.  No script, is that legal ?

This is just an antibiotic. What's your problem?

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Customs told you the correct information. If you have 90 days of medicine with the prescription container no problem. Actually can have some more and probably no problem. If you have a years supply they think you are selling the pills. Don’t have to declare personal medicine. 

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But CBP told me to contact DEA when its a controlled substance . . 

And DEA says :
 

Any individual who has in his/her possession a controlled substance listed in schedules II, III, IV, or V, which he/she has lawfully obtained for his/her personal medical use, or for administration to an animal accompanying him/her, may enter or depart the United States with such substance notwithstanding sections 1002-1005 of the Act (21 U.S.C. 952-955), provided the following conditions are met:

(a) The controlled substance is in the original container in which it was dispensed to the individual; and

(b) The individual makes a declaration to an appropriate customs officer stating:

(1) That the controlled substance is possessed for his/her personal use, or for an animal accompanying him/her; and

(2) The trade or chemical name and the symbol designating the schedule of the controlled substance if it appears on the container label, or, if such name does not appear on the label, the name [[Page 36]] and address of the pharmacy or practitioner who dispensed the substance and the prescription number."

 

So if i bring Xanax to US for personal use with legal prescription I most :  " The individual makes a declaration to an appropriate customs officer stating "

 

 

 

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1 hour ago, ehs818 said:

In Pattaya or BKK, can anyone tell me where to buy Xanax over the counter?

I get all my pharmaceuticals at SC Drug on Rama 4 in Bangkok and they've always been able to supply everything I've ever wanted but I've never asked for Xanax. It's a fairly common drug so I would imagine they'd have it

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Be careful. Benzo drugs cannot be sold OTC. Prescription only. There was quite a kerfuffle about it 5 years ago. Having said that, I've heard of some pharmacies that still sell it OTC - but very discretely. It's not wise to name those places on here.

 

A word of caution: Regular (daily) use of benzodiazapine (Xanax) can build up a depency in your body. Different from addiction. Breaking that depency can be brutal to the point where sufferers have killed themselves. I suffered for a year and still have issues many years on. Occasional use (once or twice a week, for example), appears not to be problematic.

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17 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Good advice. The authorities cannot prosecute for  declared controlled substances, only confiscate them.

Keep in mind it's also about quantity, 

More than 100 + they could charge you with intent to distribute,

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On 9/13/2019 at 4:50 AM, bkk6060 said:

I have no prescription just buy it over the counter.

 

I put a supply for my trip in a old prescription bottle with my Lipitor.

That and Viagra for my buddies.

Never had a problem or question. 

I would be very very surprised if they decided to search one prescription bottle never heard or seen it happen. Unless I guess there are other circumstances which created it.

 

I use Lorazapan, and along with my other diabetic meds. I simply have a list from Bangkok Hospital listing the drugs that I take. Carry everything in my carry-on, no more than a 90 day supply. Never had an issue. 

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On 9/13/2019 at 5:04 AM, Shouldhaveknownbetter said:

I do have to admit, I did make a stupid joke to the IO.  I have a question, if anyone has an answer.  I do want to bring  some amoxi just in case.  No script, is that legal ?

As I was exiting customs about 10 years ago I heard CBP officers yelling at someone.  I looked over to see it was a guy I knew.  Next time I saw him he told me he was drunk and said something smartass when they asked him if he had anything to declare.  Despite being drunk off his ass, and I think not yet a US citizen, they let him go likely because you couldn't build a jail big enough to house all these morons.

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Officially, I would follow the CBP instructions.

 

But for reference, I have 2 different friends that travel to Thailand every year. They both have been randomly selected for a search arriving home in the U.S. on 2 different occasions. Both had been carrying quantities of the little blue pill. The officer asked them what it was, they replied honestly, and the officer told them that they should have a doctors prescription with them for this. The pills were handed back to my mates, and they were on their way.

 

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