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Taking medicines into New Zealand and Australia - FlyerTalk Forums
I'll be visiting AKL and PER for a vacation (from the USA).
This Australian government website says (bolding mine)
Quote: : What should I do when I arrive in Australia with medicines for personal use?
* Comply with all requirements of the Australian Customs Service in relation to declaring medicines you are bringing into Australia.
* For all medicines that you are carrying, ensure that you have a prescription or written authorisation, showing that the medicine is for treatment of your medical condition.
* For medicines containing a substance requiring a permission from the Office of Chemical Safety (for example anabolic/androgenic steroids) or the Therapeutic Goods Administration, produce your permit permitting you to bring the medicine into Australia.
* For any medicine subject to quarantine requirements, show your import permit to bring the product into Australia.
* Retain the documents relating to your medicines throughout your visit and have them available to present again at departure on request by Customs or Quarantine officers.
* Further information about importing medicines for personal use may be found on the Therapeutic Goods Administration website.
Do I have to revisit my doctor to get a letter, or revisit my pharmacist to get a copy of the original prescription, or will the pharmacy's label on the box of pills suffice?
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You need something with a doctor's signature.
How much doc you need varies with how controlled the medication is (and what quantities).
The label is never enough, but the original (signed) prescription usually is (for normal drugs).
But there are some drugs that are banned from Australia even though used in the US, so if you are using anything exotic it would be wise to check before your trip.
Also NZ regs are different from Australia (though similar).
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And the worst that can happen if you declare it is that they will confiscate the medication.
No fines, etc.
If you don't declare it (even if you have the documentation), the penalties can be quite severe.
If your medication is confiscated, then you can always see a doctor in Australia to obtain different medication.
Doctors fees aren't too bad in Australia.
It might cost you about $60 or so (unsubsidised).
The cost of the replacement medication however is a different matter (could be reasonable, could be exhorbitant).
Evan :->
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Keep your medicine in it's original packaging complete with the Dispensing Pharmacist's label.
Photocopies of the prescription should be carried but will probably not be needed.
If you do that, then, as posted, simply declare it - you will be fine.
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If you have many different pills that you will be bringing try ringing your Doctors Practice and see if they can send you a Authorization Letter with out you needed to go in.
Ive never had any trouble coming into NZ/AU, As long as you declare your safe as said before.
New Zealand import fines are alot tigher than Aussie and they are on the spot fines.
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Interesting thread.
I'm not clear at what point you need to declare presribed medication?
Is it on the form completed on the 'plane or is it simply going through the something to declare channel - or is it both?
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The arrivals card for Australia has a tick box for medicines.
Note ticking yes means unable to use the express arrivals lane at customs.
From memory I don't think the NZ arrival card has this but at agriculture x-ray (or customs if selected for hand searching) they will ask about any medication they find.
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Quote: : Flyer The arrivals card for Australia has a tick box for medicines.
Many thanks.
So to double check.
Anyone from the uk with prescribed medication must tick the yes box and must go through the "something to decklare" customs channel.
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Quote: : Many thanks.
So to double check.
Anyone from the uk with prescribed medication must tick the yes box and must go through the "something to decklare" customs channel.
Before you are directed to the Xray / Searching Area they will be a staff member giveing you a last change to declare anything to them.
Then they will point you to a lane.
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Quote: : Flyer The arrivals card for Australia has a tick box for medicines.
Note ticking yes means unable to use the express arrivals lane at customs.
From memory I don't think the NZ arrival card has this but at agriculture x-ray (or customs if selected for hand searching) they will ask about any medication they find.
The current New Zealand arrivals card has a tickbox for the question:
"Are you bringing in to New Zealand: ...
Goods that may be prohibited or restricted?"
The AU form uses the question:
"Are you bringing in to Australia: 1) Goods that may be prohibited or subject to restrictions, such as medicines", ...
, etc, etc
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It's always bad if you think about these things but here goes
The Incoming Passenger Card just asks you to declare
Quote: : Goods that may be prohibited or subject to restrictions, such as
medicines, steroids, firearms, weapons of any kind or illicit drugs?
As the specific medicines are not prohibited or subject to restrictions as they are neither on the government list and I have a signed doctor's prescription - surely the answer to this question is "No"?
EDITED TO ADD (TO HELP OTHERS!)
Answered my own question:
Quote: : Medicinal products
Declare all drugs and medicines including prescription medications,
alternative, herbal and traditional medicines, vitamin and mineral
preparations and performance-enhancing drugs or formulas.
Travellers Guide Page 7
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Quote: : As the specific medicines are not prohibited or subject to restrictions as they are neither on the government list and I have a signed doctor's prescription - surely the answer to this question is "No"?
Think harder. If the medicines require a signed doctor's prescription, then they are by definition restricted.
At least in the country in which they were prescribed and therefore quite possibly in AU and NZ.
While the fact you have a signed Rx from another country might help you meet the restriction, it has really has no bearing on the question as to whether the medicine is subject to restrictions in AU.
There are also other medicines which might be available over the counter in your country that are restricted in AU.
It's pretty simple.
The question asks you to declare, "Goods that *may* be prohibited or subject to restrictions, *such as medicines*".
So think again.
There is no penalty for ticking Yes and then asking the customs officer about your items.
But there can be serious trouble if you tick no and then items are found.
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Quote: : Think harder.
If the medicines require a signed doctor's prescription, then they are by definition restricted.
At least in the country in which they were prescribed and therefore quite possibly in AU and NZ.
While the fact you have a signed Rx from another country might help you meet the restriction, it has really has no bearing on the question as to whether the medicine is subject to restrictions in AU.
There are also other medicines which might be available over the counter in your country that are restricted in AU.
It's pretty simple.
The question asks you to declare, "Goods that *may* be prohibited or subject to restrictions, *such as medicines*".
So think again.
There is no penalty for ticking Yes and then asking the customs officer about your items.
But there can be serious trouble if you tick no and then items are found.
Thanks, but I think you may have overlooked my own edit where I answered it for myself (and edited and posted to help others) where I found the clear instructions " Declare all drugs and medicines including prescription medications " - and so I have (and had) every intention of declaring them.
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Partner and I have just returned from SYD - ticked the box and customs in Aus did not even question what we were carrying.
We did not have a letter as back up - better do that next time!
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Hi,
I've just come across this thread while trying to find some info for myself so thought i'd add rather than ask again...
I'm going to Sydney soon and want to take a decongestant spray, either sudafed or beconase type things as I have problems with my sinuses.
I'm worried about how customs work...it seems strange that I should have to declare this but from what i have read all medicines (including over the counter) have to be declared?
Is this correct?!
Any help appreciated and sorry if this is somewhere on the site but I haven't been able to find it!
Cheers.
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