Importing Prescription Meds from Canada to US

[chiggins82 88]

Hi,

Did some searching and not having a ton of luck on clear information on how much prescription medication can be brought into the US when moving on a K-1 visa.

I was able to get approx 1 year worth of medications from my doctor for my upcoming move to the US. One of these meds is Ritalin which is control substance I believe in both Canada and US. I have a prescription. The others are not controlled substances and sold in both Canada and US by prescription.

Am I able to bring the entire year's worth with me to the US? Will there be any difference with the Ritalin?

If anyone has had experience, let me know!

Thanks!

[Pitaya 2,577]

See this CBP FAQ for some guidance on your inquiry: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/67/~/traveling-with-or-mailing-medications-and-medical-devices,-such-as-needles-or

Edited February 19, 2015 by A&B

[Dualie 185]

I actually emailed CBP with my question and was told that there wouldn't be any problems with my meds (six months worth). I just created a profile on their website and it offers you the option to email specific questions to them. Very helpful. In your case, I would probably do that in your case because you can get a specific answer to your question regarding that particular medication. You can even print out the email to take with you to POE. They say it takes a few weeks for an answer, however they answered me within a week.

Hope this helps.

Edited February 19, 2015 by Dualie

[Ms Hogan 295]

I didn't do anything other than put all my medication in my bags or cooler and go. I am diabetic and require insulin. My insulin, over the counter in Ontario was $68 for a box at a time which would last me a month. Here, where I could not get insurance due to my pre-existing condition when I first moved, the same insulin was $499 and required a prescription. So I brought a LOT with me. I also brought all of my other prescriptions with no questions. I knew I should have the Rx available which I did HOWEVER, didn't ever ask and didn't do anything online either. I wasn't aware of it. Just sharing my personal experience.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Don't know how you're moving but they generally don't go through your belongings in your vehicle/moving truck item by item. I'd be surprised if a pharmacy would give you a year's worth of any prescription, would they?

[chiggins82 88]

I am driving down and using UPack for my larger stuff. I agree that they probably will never know about it, but I would also hate to lose the meds if they inspected and they weren't allowed!

I have the inquiry to CBP - thanks for that suggestion! I always forget they answer online inquiries!

If I can't get an answer, I can always bring some with me now and leave the rest here and grab them on trips home after I get AP, would just be easiest for me to bring them down.

I was honestly shocked when my doctor prescribed a year's worth of Ritalin. I have been on it for years and have asked many times about getting more so I wouldn't have to have appointments for refills, but he told me he was only allowed to prescribe 3 months at a time... but this time he did it..

I know People have been fine bringing a year of things like birth control into the US, but Ritalin is controlled and I know has some different rules.

If I ever get an answer, I will post again in case others wonder about this one..

[thatangela 134]

I took five months of birth control across a few weeks ago. NBD. They looked more uncomfortable for me telling them.

[Ms Hogan 295]

I took five months of birth control across a few weeks ago. NBD. They looked more uncomfortable for me telling them.

hahaha... love how easy it is to make men uncomfortable with that type of thing. Silly. But funny!

[VeeNDee 44]

I don't know about controlled substances but I brought over 6 months worth of prescription medication across the border with me as well. I made sure it was all in original boxes with the prescription on it. They never asked me about it or looked at my stuff.

I had a bit of a tricky time bringing one item over - it's for my rheumatoid arthritis. It's an injectable pen needle which needs to be refrigerated and not frozen. It's really pricey without insurance so I wanted to bring as much with me as possible. I was really worried since it had needles in it, plus I was worried it wouldn't be cold enough. It was obviously labeled with my name/prescription. No one asked or cared about it and I didn't mention it since I figured it was my possession so should be okay. Thankfully with the ice packs we packed it in a cooler with, it stayed okay and I was able to use the medication.

[thatangela 134]

hahaha... love how easy it is to make men uncomfortable with that type of thing. Silly. But funny!

Boys are dumb. We should throw rocks at them.

[chiggins82 88]

OK I have talked to someone at the Dunseith crossing where I will likely do my POE. They told me that you can bring any prescription meds into the US as long as you have a receipt/ doctor's note and keep them in the original bottles. Whatever the prescription shows it contains (i.e. you have a bottle and it says quantity 50 pills), you can bring it in. You could have issues if you say put more than what the bottle says, but like others said above... fairly unlikely they are going to count the pills, but it is good information to know.

Also, when I attempted to email them, CBP had a notice that they are taking 2-3 business weeks (not sure what that really means!) to respond! Must be backed up there.. Probably because their site doesn't answer many questions

[Dualie 185]

OK I have talked to someone at the Dunseith crossing where I will likely do my POE. They told me that you can bring any prescription meds into the US as long as you have a receipt/ doctor's note and keep them in the original bottles. Whatever the prescription shows it contains (i.e. you have a bottle and it says quantity 50 pills), you can bring it in. You could have issues if you say put more than what the bottle says, but like others said above... fairly unlikely they are going to count the pills, but it is good information to know.

Also, when I attempted to email them, CBP had a notice that they are taking 2-3 business weeks (not sure what that really means!) to respond! Must be backed up there.. Probably because their site doesn't answer many questions

When I emailed them I got the same 2 to 3 business week email. I think it is the standard generic automated response. I got a personalized response though. Thanks for the additional info!