Can I bring personal medicine into Japan? Check quantities and documents before flying.

Personal medicine bag, documents, and phone for traveling in Japan. — Original illustrations for MjourneyGo

The shortest answer

prescription medicineGenerally not more than 1 month if it is not a controlled substance.

generic medicineGenerally no more than 2 months, if not subject to any prohibitions.

exceeding the thresholdYou may need to request Import Confirmation in advance.

Dosage numbers are not a license for all medicines.Narcotics, psychotropic substances, stimulants and stimulant materials fall under another set of rules. Some items require permission and some are strictly prohibited.

Drug test in 4 steps

Write down the common name of the active ingredient.Read the label or ask your doctor/pharmacist for a list.
Search on the official Japanese page.Check both the general drug rules and the list of controlled substances.
Calculate the actual number of days usedCarry enough for the trip and allow for reasonable delays.
Contact the agency before flying if you are unsure.Don't rely solely on old posts or trade names for answers.

Medicines that require special caution

ADHD medications and certain stimulants
Sleeping pills, anti-anxiety drugs, or some psychotropic substances
Painkillers that contain controlled substances and some cough syrups
Injectable drugs with needles or medical equipment that exceed the limit

Drug test with MHLW →Controlled substances and licensing

How to organize medicine so that it is easy to test?

Store in the original package, bottle, or box with the medicine name and user name.
Carry prescriptions/doctor's letters in English for medical conditions.
Separate necessary medicines in your carry-on bag. Not loading all
Store permission documents both offline and in print.
Do not share medicines in unlabeled bags or accept other people's medicines.

Frequently asked questions

How much prescription medicine can be imported into Japan?

In general, quantities of no more than one month may not require Import Confirmation, but it is still necessary to check whether the active substance is a controlled substance or prohibited from importing.

Can cold medicine from Thailand be brought into Japan?

Don't judge by drug name or type. Every ingredient must be checked. This is because some formulas may contain substances that are controlled in Japan.

In what language should the medical certificate be loaded?

You should prepare English. Enter the patient's name Common name of the drug, dosage, how to use and necessary By carrying the medicine with the original label.