TSA and your drugs

She is American and has been posting travel videos similar to this for years, and has generally reliable info. IIRC she's married to an airline pilot and flies frequently, so she knows what she's talking about. But most of her videos include flogging specific products.

All great, if you are traveling within the US, going to Europe? Well not so much. You really need to understand the requirements of each country, adhere to them, be prepared. A big difference is what type of meds you are carrying, different countries, different meds allowed or not, different requirements

Of course, you could always cruise with the crowd that says "I have had no problem in 20 years, so do whatever you want"

I watched this woman before.

She’s very error-prone. She thinks because her husband is a pilot she’s an expert.

Do not assume anything she tells you is correct and check it with a reputable source. I didn’t bother to watch this video because I find her presentation of herself as an expert when she’s been giving bad information in the past has just been very irritating to me so it’s not worth giving her more attention

tsa.gov has all the information you need and actually they don’t really seem to have any changes.

I have to agree with Carol regarding this Youtuber. Too many mistakes in previous videos. In fact, I never trust any person making a video 100%.

Almost everywhere, airport security does not care about pills. They may be concerned, depending on the country's rules, regarding liquids and gels.

It is not their job to decide if a drug is permitted in a country. That is the job of Customs.

For the Customs rules of any country, it's best to find the official webpages and not some "influencer."

I agree with FrankII on this one, check with the proper agencies yourself. I remember not too long ago someone here said it was technically illegal for a US citizen to bring foreign medicines home with them, and technically Customs could confiscate it. I was surprised, so I found the legislation that said bringing back foreign meds was not a right, but that's different from illegal. Also said it's not a Customs issue, that Customs had to refer it to an FDA agent for determination. So careful with what you read here.

Also said it's not a Customs issue, that Customs had to refer it to an FDA agent for determination. So careful with what you read here.

It is still an issue with Customs. The FDA will determine if a drug is okay or not, but they can't confiscate or fine. That is left to CBP.

That's unlike the Agricultural agents who have the power to confiscate any plant or foods not allowed.

In most cases, if you bring back a prescription medication received outside the US, you would need to prove that it was prescribed to you either by a doctor in the US or by a foreign medical professional.

In most cases, if you bring back a prescription medication received
outside the US, you would need to prove that it was prescribed to you
either by a doctor in the US or by a foreign medical professional.

This is a great day, I agree with FrankII again. You should be bringing your meds in the original conatiners and carrying your prescriptions, the singe best way to demonstrate that the meds are what is described in the prescription and the prescription identifies the need and the doctor. Pretty much the same requirement for every country I have ever checked.

Hmm this never occurred to me but my wife and I brought back prescription meds given to us by a doctor in Austria, I guess they could have been illegal here. Ah well.

Hmm this never occurred to me but my wife and I brought back prescription meds given to us by a doctor in Austria, I guess they could have been illegal here. Ah well.

Probably not. Certain controlled substances have limitations on how much you can bring in from another country. Customs officials are concerned you might bring in an amount with intent to sell.

But most aren't. As an example, a friend of mine is a Type 1 diabetic. He lives in Indiana. A few times a year, he drives to Canada to get insulin. It's much cheaper there and no need for a prescription. When he returns to the US, he declares what he has, the customs people check it against the bill of sale, and he is on his way.

I am one of those needing the drugs on a trip over.

I bring over the sufficient amount, ie the number of prescription pills to cover the duration of the trip of 63 days (4 pills per day) plus a few more days so that there is no way of running out in the 9 weeks over there.

These pills are in their original containers and on the flight over on my person or in the carry-on; so, again , there is no way they will be separated from me. Never had TSA or anyone else ever question me about these prescription meds as they are going through the scanner or afterwards.

Never had the Eagle Creek pouch holding the meds along with other items, eg., the digital camera battery recharger, etc opened up for inspection, as if "they" saw something fishy, after scanning.

Re the pills: ..... going through TSA is a breeze.

phred, when entering the USA the fine distinction is no medications for your personal use are illegal to bring back with you; but neither do you have a right to bring them. They can be conficated at the direction of an FDA agent. The odds of that happening are nil to none if you are bringing only enough to carry you over until you can get a US prescription filled. You might get passed on the quantity alone or you might have to make a case. For that case if you might want to have the European prescription (your US prescription might help too), and they are in the original packaging so the inspector does not have to guess and if you have a diagnosis written by a doctor.

I take meds that quite literally keep me alive, so I carry it all. Even though ive only been questioned once in 45years of travel, its not worth it not to be prepared. Too easy to do.

There are a few meds that the FDA may consider dangerous and those will be confiscated if they find them. If your meds are confiscated it doesn't mean you did anything illegal. You just didn't make a good enough case to retain them.

Shanah Tovah U'Metukah

In 2017 I had to get prescription to get these meds. The pharmacist said that was required, so I went as a walk-in on a Sat. to a Klinik, which luckily was down the block and around the corner., waited about 25 mins. or so. This was in Berlin-Charlottenburg.

I was to see a German doc from whom I would get a prescription for the meds in question. I did, all very pleasant. Before I left the Klinik I had to sign a paper all in German, pay for the visit (only cash was accepted, that told to me right at the outset) , went back to pharmacist armed with the prescription, picked up the meds on Monday, can recall paying for meds was cash or cc.

Bottom line...I had prescription meds from a foreign country.