ArnoW Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Hi everyone!I have looked on the internet on the Australia Customs page and just about everywhere else regarding the amount of prescribed chronic medicine I am allowed to bring with when arriving permanently. All I can see is that they talk of travellers that are only allowed 3 months at the maximum allowed dosage of the manufacturer and you can then later import more. I do not see anything else about permanent residents. Some people say 6 months but I cannot find anything on the web to confirm that. I do not want to run into trouble at customs and have half my medication confiscated!!Does anyone havr more info on this please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Hey ArnoWI don't have any official information, I can only tell you what we did. We brought in 6 month of our prescription medication and customs had no issues with it at all. You just have to make sure that you have scripts for all the medication and declare it when you fill in the passenger card on the plane. The customs official in Sydney asked us what medication it was, we told him chronic prescription meds and were ready to bombard him with all the paperwork but he simply said not to worry about showing him the scripts and waved us on through. The second official asked us what food we had and was happy that it was all sealed processed goods, he didn't even want to look at it, just took us at our word and also waved us on through.Just make sure that all your meds have scripts including the non chronic stuff, especially if it has pseudo ephedrine or other prescription only drugs. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 I agree with the above statement, I have never been asked to show my scripts or had my medication checked, they just wave me through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzy Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 I came through on 2nd April 2014. I said I had prescription medicine. also some coffee and other food stuff . Customs said ok and waved me through. no issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtime Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 HiI was also worried as to whether to take 3 or 6 months (we are leaving on Sunday). I emailed customs and even mentioned we are taking up permanent residency, they responded that only 3 months is allowed. I am going to just be cautious and take the 3 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnoW Posted April 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Thanks everyone. It is the small little details like this that drains my energy. The big things I can handle but there are so many SMALL little gremlins to take care of!Good luck with the flight and the last three days of prep Dtime! I can imagine it must be nerve wrecking by now. I am only flying out 24 July and I am already one big nerve!! I can just imagine how I will feel that week before or even the day before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heymanse Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 (edited) No harm in bringing in 6 months' supply (as many of us did including me). You have to declare it on your Incoming Passenger card (IPC) anyway so will be asked about your meds by a Customs official. The worst that can happen is that they say you're only allowed 3 months' supply and confiscate the excess meds. You won't receive a fine or penalty or anything like that because you did declare it on the IPC. Edited April 17, 2014 by Heymanse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 I'm taking 5 month's worth - mostly perennial allergy related meds - so hope it's all good. Would be even nicer if I didn't need them any longer, but doubt that I'll be that lucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chzaau Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 From the Australia customs site...MedicinesYou need to declare medicines and substances which may be subject to misuse, abuse or dependence, for example, steroids, opioid analgesics, cannabis or narcotic based medications. These products may be restricted or require a permit in order to be imported. Some traditional medicines may contain endangered plant or animal products and these should be declared to Customs and Border Protection.If you are carrying prescription medication you do not need to declare these provided you import no more than three months supply. It is advisable that you carry a letter of prescription from your doctor in the English language describing your medical condition.http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4351.aspFrom the Australia customs site...MedicinesYou need to declare medicines and substances which may be subject to misuse, abuse or dependence, for example, steroids, opioid analgesics, cannabis or narcotic based medications. These products may be restricted or require a permit in order to be imported. Some traditional medicines may contain endangered plant or animal products and these should be declared to Customs and Border Protection.If you are carrying prescription medication you do not need to declare these provided you import no more than three months supply. It is advisable that you carry a letter of prescription from your doctor in the English language describing your medical condition.http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4351.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted April 18, 2014 Report Share Posted April 18, 2014 (edited) I would put 3 months in my hand luggage & 3 months in my checked in bags and just fill in the card. They want to make sure you're not a druggie or a dealer. If you get stopped I would be very surprised. But that's just me, I don't go in much for stupid rules. Edited April 18, 2014 by Bronwyn&Co Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heymanse Posted April 18, 2014 Report Share Posted April 18, 2014 What I gather from the Australian Customs website is that you don't need to declare meds if you're only bringing 3 months' supply but would need to declare if you are bringing more than 3 months' supply. What I gather from the Australian Customs website is that you don't need to declare meds if you're only bringing 3 months' supply but would need to declare if you are bringing more than 3 months' supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted April 18, 2014 Report Share Posted April 18, 2014 I would declare any prescription meds no matter how many months supply you have. Rather declare and it not be necessary than not declare and end up with a fine and confiscated meds. The website is a guideline off minimum standards, it all really depends on the customs official you get on the day and their interpretation of the law. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heymanse Posted April 18, 2014 Report Share Posted April 18, 2014 I would declare any prescription meds no matter how many months supply you have. Rather declare and it not be necessary than not declare and end up with a fine and confiscated meds. The website is a guideline off minimum standards, it all really depends on the customs official you get on the day and their interpretation of the law.I agree. Was just thinking that people shouldn't be scared to bring in 6 months' supply of meds because nowhere does is say that you are not allowed to bring in more than 3 months' supply. It just says that should you choose to, you need to declare it. But yes, I always declare meds on my IPC no matter how little or how much meds I have with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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