So I’m traveling from the UK to the USA in a few days and I’ve become a bit concerned about taking my medication with me. Like an idiot, I hadn’t even considered it until now… partly because I’ve never needed to take any medication with me abroad before. It’s only birth control and I have the original packaging with my details, the GP surgery details, and some info about the medication on it, but I have no prescription slip or GP letter. I do have the NHS app though where I can see it’s listed in my regular medication.
Is there a chance they’ll take it away? I know I’ve been dumb but I really don’t want to get my period on my holiday I’m flying from Bristol > Schiphol > JFK if that makes any difference…
What an amazing trip you’re going to have! I’m excited that this is your first trip to the United States. I just want to add that you should definitely put your medication in your carry-on bag. In the small probability that your checked luggage is delayed or lost, you do not want the medication to be in there, inaccessible.
No, they won’t care. It’s clearly a small amount for personal use. I regularly go between the US and the UK, and I have never, in decades, been stopped and asked about my medications.
Noah said:
No, they won’t care. It’s clearly a small amount for personal use. I regularly go between the US and the UK, and I have never, in decades, been stopped and asked about my medications.
If it’s really just a small number of birth control pills, you have nothing to worry about. Controlled substances and large quantities of medicine are the only issue.
Sam said:
If it’s really just a small number of birth control pills, you have nothing to worry about. Controlled substances and large quantities of medicine are the only issue.
Even with controlled substances as long as you declare it and have a script and your name on the packaging you’re GTG. I am prescribed a benzo overseas and come back to the US at least once or twice a year and I’ve always declared it, and every customs officer just tells me “well if it’s just enough for the trip and personal use no problem”, they don’t even ask to see it or the script, but to be on the safe side one should always follow it to a T just in case you get one power tripper having a bad day. Can’t get in trouble if you follow the law to a T.
Nah, pretty sure no one’ll give a shit about the Pill. Well, nobody who matters. There’ll be people who think you’re a shameless, wanton Communist who hates God.
Unless you’re taking a HUGE amount I doubt they’ll care. Worst case scenario they’ll take you aside and swab it for any illicit substances and ask you about it. If you did want to be super prepared just in case, just have the number for your pharmacy ready so you can call it if needed.
@Taylor
I’m going for a week and the medication comes in packs of 28…would it be best to cut the tray so I don’t take the full pack? Sorry if that’s a silly question.
Briley said: @Taylor
I’m going for a week and the medication comes in packs of 28…would it be best to cut the tray so I don’t take the full pack? Sorry if that’s a silly question.
No. You will be totally fine. Birth control pills are completely legal in the U.S. Nobody’s going to take your birth control away from you.
@Dar
Thank you! Just got anxious because a couple of my relatives were saying I might have my medication taken away if I didn’t have a GP letter. I think they may have been taking different medication to me though lol.
Briley said: @Taylor
I’m going for a week and the medication comes in packs of 28…would it be best to cut the tray so I don’t take the full pack? Sorry if that’s a silly question.
Don’t cut the tray. No one is going to even ask you about birth control pills.
Briley said: @Taylor
I’m going for a week and the medication comes in packs of 28…would it be best to cut the tray so I don’t take the full pack? Sorry if that’s a silly question.
Look, I travel in and out of the US with birth control and multiple other meds multiple times a year. Not only have I never needed to try to prove anything, no one has ever asked. If you were bringing in 10,000 percocets in your bra, you want a doctors note for that. A handful of birth control? Nah.
Briley said: @Taylor
I’m going for a week and the medication comes in packs of 28…would it be best to cut the tray so I don’t take the full pack? Sorry if that’s a silly question.
You can bring in anything that isn’t outright unlawful in the USA for personal use as long as the quantity is consistent with the duration of your stay. If your stay is lengthy or you’re returning home, they’ll permit up to a six month supply.
For drugs of abuse (narcotics, Xanax, amphetamines) they’ll want to see evidence that it’s prescribed for you and are going to be increasingly concerned about larger quantities such that for a lengthy stay you would want to see a physician in the USA shortly after arrival and get a prescription to purchase your medication in the USA.
Lesley said:
As long as it’s in its original package and the prescription is attached, you’ll be fine. We haven’t banned birth control here… yet.
I don’t have a prescription slip unfortunately but I have the original packaging and it has a label on it with mine and my GP surgery’s details, and it says what the medication is and how often I need to take it. Hopefully that’s enough!
I’m flying from Bristol > Schiphol > JFK if that makes any difference…