Hello!
I'm heading to Europe next week for 78 days and have all my vitamins and supplements organized in advance. These are all essential and I have 14 bottles. Please advise if I need to take these (non-prescription) supplements in their bottles? Or can I put them in plastic baggies which would save so much space?
The supplements cost a lot, so Really want to avoid a situation where TSA is having me throw them away.
Thank you!
The only medicines I pack in original containers are antibiotics and pain pills. All other prescriptions and OTC drugs and supplements are in ziplock bags. Each bag is labeled. I also carry med list with prescription labels; it lists drug allergies. Five Europe trips plus domestic and no problems with airport security.
I put all my vitamins and prescriptions in zip lock bags with a list inside. Never any problem in our world travels over 35 years. Would recommend your doctor give you written prescriptions in case you need them refilled. It’s ultimately your decision on bottles or zip lock bags.
TSA doesn't care about pills. They care about security.
It's Customs in your arrival country that looks at what you are bringing into the country.
You need to be able to prove what they are. Why not take a photo of each pill next to the original container to show if you are stopped.
Unless your supplements contain controlled substances, TSA couldn't care less. But I'd kindly suggest you discuss your intake of these substances with your physician. That many likely uncontrolled foreign chemicals could have serious unintended health consequences.
Wow --- 14 bottles are a lot. BUT -- in many, many years of travel -- 40+ -- I have never had my luggage checked when entering any European country. Just walk through the Green Door -- Nothing to Declare. We have been picked apart when returning to the US but never in Europe. And now with the Schengen zone travel it is ever simpler. I don't think you anything to worry about. TSA in the US is only worried about you carrying a potential weapon or bomb on board. A bag of pills is not going to raise any concern.
I live in Europe and when I go home to the US I stock up on OTC meds and vitamins. My last trip back to Europe in August - my entire carryon suitcase was nothing but vitamins and meds. No one blinked. No issues ever.
We put them in plastic baggies. We do the same for all prescriptions. Never have had any problems.
Do you really need to bring 14 bottles? That's a lot of pills. You can buy vitamins and supplements in Europe. Without knowing exactly what they are and where you are going, I think you can find what you need in most major European pharmacies.
Seems like an extreme amount of OTC supplements. Are these doctor approved?
I would put them in baggies, or in pill cases, and not give it much thought. Take pictures of the bottles, but I seriously doubt it will come to that.
