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10 Oct. 2024

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What medicines cannot be imported into the EU: a list of prohibited medications

Travel
For refugees
Health
What medicines cannot be imported into the EU: a list of prohibited medications

Before travelling abroad, make sure that you have all the necessary documents for your medicines, especially if they are prescription or contain controlled substances. This is necessary because the EU controls the transport of medicines very carefully. In this article, you can find out which medicines are banned

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine
An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine
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When you are planning a trip abroad, it is important not to forget your first aid kit. However, it is necessary to remember that different EU countries may have different requirements and restrictions on importing medicines. In order not to get into an unpleasant situation at the border, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of transportation of medicines from Ukraine to the EU countries.

General rules for transportation of medicines

If you are carrying prescription drugs, be sure to take with you a prescription in English or a certificate from a doctor confirming the need for these drugs.

In addition, medicines containing narcotic substances are strictly controlled in most EU countries. Special authorization and medical documents are required for their transportation.

You should also understand that the medicines transported should be in reasonable doses, intended for personal use, usually for up to 30 days.

Keep in mind that medicines in the form of sprays and liquids should be transported in their original packaging and comply with the restrictions on the volume of liquids in hand luggage (no more than 100 ml).

What medicines are prohibited to bring into the EU?

Under the ban are medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances.

These include: Acetorphine; Bronchocin; Broncholitin; Bufotenin; Ephedrine; Insonovin; Caffetine; Ketanov; Codterpin; Methoxytoin; Neo Theophedrine; Nurofen Plus; Sedalgin; Solutan; Theophedrine-N; Terpincode.

According to European rules, up to 20 tablets of each of these drugs can be carried in the first aid kit with the package, instructions, prescription, stamp and signature of the doctor.

At the same time, the drug analgin is sold in some countries only with a prescription, and in other countries it has been banned due to its side effects.

In addition, you should be careful with medicines containing barbiturates (e.g. valocordine, barboval, corvalol, etc.) - they are prohibited in the EU and many other countries. However, if the use of these drugs cannot be interrupted, it is mandatory to have a prescription from a doctor with the international name of the drug (Latin) and the period of administration.



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Psychotropic substances

Such drugs can also cause problems at the border. Here are the drugs you should be careful with:

A - Alilprodine, Alfentanil, Alphameprodine, Alfamethadol, Alfaprodine, Alfacetylmethadol, Anilerydine, Acetyldihydrocodeine, Acetylmethadol
B - Bezitramide, Benzethidine, Betameprodine, Betamethadol, Betaprodine, Betacetylmethadol, Buprenorphine
D - Hydrocodone, Hydroxypeptidine, Hydromorphinol, Hydromorphone.
E - Dextromoramide, Dextropropoxyphene, Dihydrocodeine, Dihydromorphine, Dimenoxadol (estocin), Dimepheptanol, Dimethylthiambutene, Dipipipanone, Diphenoxylate, Diphenoxine, Diampromide, Diethylthiambutene, Dioxafetyl butyrate.
E - Ecgonine, ethylmethylthiambutene, ethylmorphine, ethoxeridine, ethinitazene.
I - Isomethadone
C - Clonitazene, Codeine, Codoxime, Cocaine.
L - Levomethorphan, Levomoramide, Levorphanol, Levophenacylmorphan.
M - Methadone, Methadone intermediate, Methazocine, Methyldesorphine, Methopone, Mirofin, Moramida intermediate, Morpheridine, Morphine, Morphine methobromide, Morphine-N-oxide.
H - Nicodicodine, Nicodine, Nicomorphine, Noracimetadol, Norcodeine, Norlevorphanol, Normethadone, Normorphine, Norpipanone
O - Oxycodone, Oxymorphone
P - Pentazocine, Pethidine, Pethidine intermediate A/B/C, Piminodine, Piritramide, Proheptazine, Properidine, Propiram.
P - Racemetorphan, Racemoramide, Racemorphanil, Remifentanil
C - Sufentanil
T - Tebaine, Tebacon, Tilidine, Tramadol, Trimeperidine.
F - Fenadoxone, Fenazocine, Fenampromide, Phenomorphan, Fenoperidine, Fentanyl, Folcodine, Furetidine.

Also, trouble can arise at the border due to drugs that contain psychotropic substances. For example:
A - Alobarbital, Alprazolam, Aminorex, Amobarbital, Amfepramon
B - Barbital, Benzphetamine, Bromazepam, Brotizolam, Butalbital, Butobarbital.
C - Vinylbital
D - Galazepam, Haloxazolom
E - Delorazepam, Diazepam
E - Estazolam, Ethyl loflazepate, Ethylamphetamine, Ethinamate, Etchlorvinol.
Z - Zolpidem
K - Camazepam, Cathine, Ketazolom, Clobazom, Cloxazol, Clonazepam, Clorazepate, Clothiazepam
L - Lefetamine, Loprazole, Lorazep, Lormetazep.
M - Mazindol, Medazepam, Mesocarb, Meprobamate, Methylphenobarbital, Metiprilon, Mephenorex, Midazolam.
N - Nimetazepam, Nitrazepam, Nordozepam.
O - Oxazepam, Oxazolam
P - Pemoline, Pentobarbital (sodium ethomyl), Pinazepam, Pipradrol, Pirovaleron, Prazepam.
C - Secbutabarbital
T - Temazepam, Tetrazepam, Tofizopam, Triazolam.
F - Phenazepam, Phendimetrazine, Fencamfamin, Phenobarbital, Phenproporex, Phentermine, Fludiazepam, Flunitrazepam, Flurazepam.
X - Chlordiazepoxide
C - Ciclobarbital.

In addition, there may be problems at the border because of precursor drugs (substances that are used to make drugs).

The full list of drugs can be found at the link.

Note that many over-the-counter drugs can be freely transported across EU borders. However, it is best to take a small basic first aid kit with you, which includes painkillers, cold remedies and food poisoning.

We have previously detailed what medicines and in what quantities can be brought into Poland.


Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.




In order to organize a trip, ensure a safe move and successful employment in a new country, I advise you to contact a specialist. Qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations when traveling abroad.


Do you have additional questions? Contact the Visit Ukraine hotline (Telegram | WhatsApp).




Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 


Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

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Frequantly

asked questions

How many medicines can be transported across the border?

You can carry no more than five packages of one medicine across the border However, there are cases when you can exceed the limit This applies to people with chronic diseases that require long-term or lifelong treatment.

How to properly transport medicines across the border?

How to declare medicines at the border?

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