I was wondering if anybody can give me any information on bringing medicines from Tijuana across to the US. What kinds of medicines can you bring across? Do you need a prescription here? I've heard that under a certain limit there are no restrictions. Does anybody know precisely how this works legally and practically?
Bringing medicine from Tijuana to the US.
Started by Mutiny, Sep 10 2005 08:44 PM
5 replies to this topic
#2
George Costanza
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Posted 10 September 2005 - 08:51 PM
Mutiny that is a very good question. Some medications you will need a Mexican prescription but the law is hardly enforced. I know a guy that can answer this much better than I can. I will contact him so he cant his info
thanks
milky
thanks
milky
Tijuana is much more than Revolution ave
I am now George Constanza - Lord of the idiots
I am now George Constanza - Lord of the idiots
#3
YankeeInExile
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Posted 10 September 2005 - 10:40 PM
...this is one of those situations where common sense dictates. The level of attention given by customs is based entirely on the abuse-potential of the product you're bringing, and their discretion in what seems reasonable.
If you are a healthy-looking 24 y/o male bringing back a jumbo bottle of Vicodin without visible orthopedic trauma, expect to be hassled. On the other hand, if you had a quad-runner accident on the beach, and got a prescription to tide you over until you got home, your bandages will get you through.
If you are a 73 y/o diabetic woman bringing back 90 days worth of blood pressure medication, expect to pass through unmolested.
US Customs' official stance is: You may import up to a 90 day supply for individual, personal use of any drug approved for use in the US provided you have a bona-fide prescription. Getting your US Doctor to write the prescription and filling it in Mexico would go a long way towards showing those bona fides.
What you are looking for here is substantiating evidence that you are purchasing medication for your own use, and that the drugs are medically necessary. Border guards are not doctors or pharmacists, their first inclination is to deny entry, so you are going to have to demonstrate that you're not trying to pull a fast one.
You must declare any medication you are carrying -- do not wait for them to ask. All medication should be in its original packaging, and clearly labeled. Have a copy of your prescription at hand. Have at hand the name and address of your regular physician if you are under treatment for a chronic condition (hypertension, etc.).
Before my trip to Africa, I bought all of my anti-malarial medication in Mexico and brought it into the US with a prescription from the house-doctor at a pharmacy without any problem.
If you are a healthy-looking 24 y/o male bringing back a jumbo bottle of Vicodin without visible orthopedic trauma, expect to be hassled. On the other hand, if you had a quad-runner accident on the beach, and got a prescription to tide you over until you got home, your bandages will get you through.
If you are a 73 y/o diabetic woman bringing back 90 days worth of blood pressure medication, expect to pass through unmolested.
US Customs' official stance is: You may import up to a 90 day supply for individual, personal use of any drug approved for use in the US provided you have a bona-fide prescription. Getting your US Doctor to write the prescription and filling it in Mexico would go a long way towards showing those bona fides.
What you are looking for here is substantiating evidence that you are purchasing medication for your own use, and that the drugs are medically necessary. Border guards are not doctors or pharmacists, their first inclination is to deny entry, so you are going to have to demonstrate that you're not trying to pull a fast one.
You must declare any medication you are carrying -- do not wait for them to ask. All medication should be in its original packaging, and clearly labeled. Have a copy of your prescription at hand. Have at hand the name and address of your regular physician if you are under treatment for a chronic condition (hypertension, etc.).
Before my trip to Africa, I bought all of my anti-malarial medication in Mexico and brought it into the US with a prescription from the house-doctor at a pharmacy without any problem.
Aca la vida
#4
DonnieB
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Posted 12 September 2005 - 05:47 PM
Yankee is right on. I routinely buy prescription meds for my Mom and my Brother. I make sure that I have a legit prescription for what I am buying and I declare it when I cross in the Sentri line. I have done it about 10 times and they have never even asked to see the prescription.
#5
Daniel
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Posted 08 October 2005 - 02:14 AM
There is some good advice in these posts. I tried to answer that question in some detail in the FAQ forum. You'll find it here http://www.tijuanabl...wtopic.php?t=69 I hope.
#6
stanthebajaman
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Posted 26 June 2006 - 03:51 AM
I have brought small quantities of prescription medication across the border from time to time, always declaring it, and never being asked for a prescription. About I week ago I brought some Tramacet, a pain killer for arthritis. The agent asked me if I had a prescription and I said yes. He then asked if it was an American doctor or Mexican doctor. I said Mexican and he said that it wasn't legal, but let me through anyway. He said that Mexican doctors didn't know how to prescribe medicine quantities that fell within FDA guidelines, for whatever that is worth.
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