Can I Bring Medicine to China? Prescription & OTC Drug Rules (2025)

Yes, you can bring medicine to China for personal use—but with important restrictions.

Some common Western medications are controlled or banned in China. Bringing the wrong thing can result in confiscation, fines, or serious legal trouble.

Here's what you need to know.

The Basic Rule

You can bring medications for personal use during your trip if:

• They're for your own use
• Reasonable quantity (typically 1-2 months supply)
• In original packaging with labels
• Not on China's prohibited list

What's Prohibited or Restricted

Banned Substances

These are ILLEGAL in China—do not bring:

Drugs containing:

• Pseudoephedrine (some cold medicines)
• Codeine
• Morphine
• Most opioids
• Cannabis products (including CBD)
• Amphetamines
• Many ADHD medications

Specifically banned medicines include:

• Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)
• Some Tylenol formulations with codeine
• Many strong painkillers
• Some cough syrups with codeine
• Any cannabis/CBD products
• Adderall (amphetamine)
• Ritalin (methylphenidate)

Controlled Substances

These require documentation:

• Strong sleeping pills
• Some anxiety medications
• Strong painkillers
• Psychotropic medications

The Pseudoephedrine Problem

Very important: Pseudoephedrine is strictly controlled in China (used to make methamphetamine).

Check your cold/flu medicine. Many common US brands contain it:

• Sudafed
• Advil Cold & Sinus
• Claritin-D
• Mucinex D
• Many "non-drowsy" formulas

Alternative: Bring versions without pseudoephedrine (look for "PE" versions which contain phenylephrine instead).

What You CAN Bring

Generally Safe

• Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen/paracetamol)
• Antihistamines (most allergy medicines)
• Antacids
• Anti-diarrhea medicine (Imodium/loperamide)
• Motion sickness pills
• Vitamins and supplements
• Prescription medications (with documentation)

Prescription Medications

For prescription drugs you need:

Bring:

• Original prescription bottles with labels
• Copy of prescription
• Doctor's letter explaining need
• Quantity for trip duration only

Keep medications in carry-on:

• Easier to explain at security
• Won't get lost with checked luggage
• Temperature controlled

Documentation to Prepare

For Any Prescription Medication

1. Doctor's letter stating:

   • Your name
   • Medication name (generic and brand)
   • Dosage
   • Why you need it
   • That it's for personal use

2. Copy of prescription

3. Original packaging with pharmacy label

For Controlled Medications

Additional steps:

• Contact Chinese embassy before travel
• May need approval letter
• Consider if you really need to bring it
• Research alternatives available in China

At Chinese Customs

What to Expect

Most travelers pass through without medication inspection. But if stopped:

They may ask:

• What medications you have
• Why you need them
• How much you brought
• To see documentation

Be prepared:

• Declare if asked
• Show documentation
• Explain medical need
• Be cooperative

Red Flags That Trigger Inspection

• Large quantities of medication
• Multiple different medications
• Medication not in original packaging
• Suspicious packaging
• Random selection

Quantity Limits

General guideline: Bring only what you need for your trip plus a small buffer.

Trip Length	Reasonable Quantity
1-2 weeks	2-3 weeks supply
1 month	6 weeks supply
Longer	May need special approval

Bringing 6 months of medication for a 2-week trip looks suspicious.

What If You Need Medicine In China?

Pharmacies (药店)

Pharmacies are everywhere in China:

• Many medications available without prescription
• Staff can recommend treatments
• Bring translation of what you need
• Quality is generally good

Available OTC in China:

• Antibiotics (some types)
• Pain relievers
• Cold medicine
• Stomach remedies
• Allergy medicine

Hospitals

For prescription needs:

• Visit hospital with international clinic
• Bring documentation of your condition
• They can prescribe and fill medications
• More complex but possible

Special Situations

ADHD Medication

Adderall, Ritalin, and similar stimulants are essentially banned in China.

Options:

• Talk to doctor about alternatives
• Consider medication break during trip
• Get official documentation if absolutely necessary
• Expect scrutiny

CBD Products

Do not bring any CBD products to China. Even if legal in your country:

• CBD is treated as cannabis
• Zero tolerance policy
• Serious criminal penalties

Insulin and Injectables

Allowed for personal use:

• Bring prescription documentation
• Keep in carry-on (temperature)
• Bring more than you need (can't easily replace)
• Syringes allowed with prescription

Mental Health Medication

Most psychiatric medications OK with:

• Proper documentation
• Original packaging
• Reasonable quantities
• Doctor's letter explaining diagnosis

Medication Checklist

Safe to Bring (with documentation)

• Ibuprofen (Advil without "Cold" variants)
• Acetaminophen (plain Tylenol)
• Antihistamines (Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin non-D)
• Imodium
• Pepto-Bismol
• Melatonin
• Motion sickness pills
• Prescription medications (documented)

Check Carefully

• Cold medicine (check for pseudoephedrine)
• Sleep aids (some controlled)
• Anxiety medication (document needed)
• Strong painkillers (may be restricted)

Do Not Bring

• Sudafed or pseudoephedrine products
• Codeine products
• Adderall/Ritalin (controlled stimulants)
• CBD oil or products
• Cannabis in any form
• Opioids without extensive documentation

When In Doubt

Contact the Chinese Embassy in your country before travel:

• Explain what medications you need
• Ask about documentation requirements
• Get written confirmation if possible

Better safe than sorry. Medication issues can derail your entire trip.

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The China Survival Kit includes pharmacy guides, medical phrase cards, and hospital directories for handling health needs during your trip.