Traveling with Medication and vitamins

[floralscent]

Hi Everyone. We are traveling to Japan in October for the first time, from the US. I have read that it is difficult to bring prescribed meds into Japan as well as over the counter (Tylenol) and vitamins. 
 

Am I understanding this incorrectly and way off base or is there a safe way to travel with meds in Japan and not get them confiscated? 
 

Thank you so much!

[ROCruiser]

Have not had any problem, Been to Japan numerous times.

[BruceMuzz]

Japan is very strict about most medicines.

until a few years ago, one needed a doctor’s note to purchase Tonic Water - which is a medicine.

The government is looking for large quantities of controlled substances being imported or exported.

They have no interest in your 7-day supply of blood thinner.

If you do plan to carry a large quantity of opiates or similar into Japan, you need to report it.

[bennybear]

I think there are different rules based on how long you will be there. Some drugs are not allowed at all.   I believe You need to apply online for a Yakkan Shoumei if it is 30 days or more.   You will also need to preclear if you have a CPAP as well.   
 

The process is quite simple and fast.  

[floridatravelersforlife]

On 7/22/2023 at 4:20 PM, bennybear said:

I think there are different rules based on how long you will be there. Some drugs are not allowed at all.   I believe You need to apply online for a Yakkan Shoumei if it is 30 days or more.   You will also need to preclear if you have a CPAP as well.   
 

The process is quite simple and fast.  

Did you apply for the under the Yakkan Shoumei under the gBizID system?  

[bennybear]

18 minutes ago, floridatravelersforlife said:

Did you apply for the under the Yakkan Shoumei under the gBizID system?  

We are from Canada and did the form online, I don’t recall what system.  I see the US embassy has information on how to do it.  Some information from them:

 

 

Decisions on which medications or prescription drugs can be brought into Japan are made solely by the Japanese Government and subject to control under Japan’s Pharmaceutical Affairs Law.  Many common medications and over-the-counter drugs in the United States are illegal in Japan.  It does not matter if you have a valid U.S. prescription for a medicine/drug which is illegal in Japan:  if you bring it with you, you risk arrest and detention by the Japanese authorities.  The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Japan do not maintain a comprehensive list of prohibited medications or ingredients. Comprehensive information is available only from the Japanese government and is subject to change without notice.  All travelers are encouraged to check before traveling to Japan at  Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare  (MHLW) website, including reviewing FAQ , or to email yakkan@mhlw.go.jp.

Travelers who need to bring more than the MLHW’s approved quantity of medication or medical devices should obtain a “Yunyu Kakunin-sho” (importation certificate) prior to travelling, and present it with the prescription to a customs officer upon arrival in Japan.  Certificate approval by the Japanese government may take several weeks to process and should be received before bringing the medication or medical devices to Japan.

All travelers entering Japan with a prescription medication, including medication that is not restricted in Japan, should consider bringing a copy of their doctor’s prescription as well as a letter stating the purpose of the drug.

For more information about bringing medicines into Japan and how to obtain a “Yunyu Kakunin-sho” certificate, please visit the website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare  and email yakkan@mhlw.go.jp.

When you make your email inquiry to yakkan@mhlw.go.jp, please include the following information:

1. The drug’s active ingredients
2. The name of the medicine
3. The dosage and quantity
4. Your e-mail address

 

 

Edited July 25, 2023 by bennybear

[floridatravelersforlife]

I wanted to follow up with this thread. I went through the arduous process of applying with 15 Rx drugs for the certification on line via cell phone.  After all that here is what they  sent me by email. I deleted the personal data below.i plan to bring each RX drug in its pill container and a copy of what I sent.  i'M DONE I

 

"
【補正内容】
・We do NOT issue this certificate for your medications within 30-day supply (ex. 30 pills or 30 tablets), so please make an application only for the medications whose supplies are beyond 30-day and delete medications within 30-day supply

 

Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare"

 

[Sunlightlover]

Do we need to make an email inquiry to yakkan@mhlw.go.jp to be able to bring a CPAP machine, less than 30 day?

[BruceMuzz]

1 hour ago, Sunlightlover said:

Do we need to make an email inquiry to yakkan@mhlw.go.jp to be able to bring a CPAP machine, less than 30 day?

No, you do not.

[bennybear]

On 7/25/2023 at 9:59 AM, bennybear said:

Travelers who need to bring more than the MLHW’s approved quantity of medication or medical devices should obtain a “Yunyu Kakunin-sho” (importation certificate) prior to travelling, and present it with the prescription to a customs officer upon arrival in Japan.  

 

On 8/9/2023 at 9:25 PM, BruceMuzz said:

No, you do not.

Just wondering as the info from the US  embassy says you do need it for medical devices.  
When we visited last time,  we were told we needed one and found 
it’s  easy to get.   

Edited August 11, 2023 by bennybear

[floralscent]

On 8/6/2023 at 1:02 PM, floridatravelersforlife said:

I wanted to follow up with this thread. I went through the arduous process of applying with 15 Rx drugs for the certification on line via cell phone.  After all that here is what they  sent me by email. I deleted the personal data below.i plan to bring each RX drug in its pill container and a copy of what I sent.  i'M DONE I

 

"
【補正内容】
・We do NOT issue this certificate for your medications within 30-day supply (ex. 30 pills or 30 tablets), so please make an application only for the medications whose supplies are beyond 30-day and delete medications within 30-day supply

 

Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare"

 

Thank you floridatravelersforlife!

 

Are they saying that if you have less than a 30 day supply of meds, you don't have to go through the process that you went through?

 

If yes, I would think if meds are carried in their prescription bottle, all should be fine. My vitamins are not prescription but I guess it would be best to take those in their original bottle too...although they will take up a large amount of space as those bottles are large.

 

Guess condensing into a daily marked container might not be a good plan for Japan...

[BruceMuzz]

Japanese people are far more serious about vitamins and health supplements than Americans are.

Japanese Customs Officers will not be surprised to see large quantities of vitamins in your bags.

It really is not a problem.

[floridatravelersforlife]

7 hours ago, floralscent said:

Thank you floridatravelersforlife!

 

Are they saying that if you have less than a 30 day supply of meds, you don't have to go through the process that you went through?

 

If yes, I would think if meds are carried in their prescription bottle, all should be fine. My vitamins are not prescription but I guess it would be best to take those in their original bottle too...although they will take up a large amount of space as those bottles are large.

 

Guess condensing into a daily marked container might not be a good plan for Japan...

The electronic process asks for doctor's Rx.  I am bringing my 20 days supply in the pill bottles and my printed list of scripts.

[Sunlightlover]

On 8/9/2023 at 11:25 PM, BruceMuzz said:

No, you do not.

Do we need to make an email inquiry to yakkan@mhlw.go.jp to be able to bring a CPAP machine, less than 30 day?

 

Unfortunately, it's not the case. I emailed to yakkan@mhlw.go.jp and they responded that a CPAP machine is a medical device and would require a formal application/permission. All other medications on my list are okay within their limits. If someone went through this process, please chime in.

 

 

[bennybear]

11 hours ago, Sunlightlover said:

Do we need to make an email inquiry to yakkan@mhlw.go.jp to be able to bring a CPAP machine, less than 30 day?

 

Unfortunately, it's not the case. I emailed to yakkan@mhlw.go.jp and they responded that a CPAP machine is a medical device and would require a formal application/permission. All other medications on my list are okay within their limits. If someone went through this process, please chime in.

 

 

As stated above we were told we needed one for the CPAP and easily got one which we showed to the officers.   It’s easy to get so why chance it?

Edited August 16, 2023 by bennybear

[sho-me]

I'm sorry, but I'm really confused - why would the Japanese come on ship and check out what medications i have in my room, or whether or not I have a cpap in my room - I'm not taking anything on shore, so technically I am not bring anything into Japan, am I?

 

[Donald]

10 hours ago, sho-me said:

I'm sorry, but I'm really confused - why would the Japanese come on ship and check out what medications i have in my room, or whether or not I have a cpap in my room - I'm not taking anything on shore, so technically I am not bring anything into Japan, am I?

 

The Japanese authorities will NOT go to your cabin to inspect medications and medical devices.

But if you leave the ship in Japan and have those items with you, there is an extremely small chance that there could be an issue.

I have lived in Japan most of my life, and have never heard about anyone stopped, inspected, fined, or jailed for personal medications or medical machines.

I have often heard about drug smugglers jailed - and hanged - for trying to import large quantities of opiates and other forbidden drugs.

Edited August 3 by Donald

[Donald]

11 hours ago, sho-me said:

I'm sorry, but I'm really confused - why would the Japanese come on ship and check out what medications i have in my room, or whether or not I have a cpap in my room - I'm not taking anything on shore, so technically I am not bring anything into Japan, am I?

 

Technically, as soon as your ship approaches the Japanese Coast, you are in Japanese Waters and Technically / Legally in Japan.

Technically, looking at it from the Officials' point of view, even though the medications and medical devices are in your cabin, they are legally in Japan. Those officials do not plan to stand at the gangway all day to ensure that you are not taking them ashore at some point and selling them.

Would you do that? Probably not. But you could.

Are they very worried that you will do that? No.

[oldfashioncruiser]

Is a Tens machine considered a medical device that needs to be approved?  Thanks

[Hlitner]

Folks have two choices, when traveling to Japan (especially if you fly-in or disembark in Japan).  Choice 1 is to simply ignore (at your own peril) the Japanese Law/Regulations and carry your drugs (prescription and OTC) as usual.  You are simply taking your chances that nobody will care, nobody will search your luggage, and all will be well.

 

Choice 2 is to fully comply with the Japanese Law, which is quite strict.  Rather than depend on others here on CC, we suggest that folks go to the appropriate Japanese web site

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan (mhlw.go.jp)

 

where you can read the actual regulations.  If you do technically need to apply for the import certificate (which is how the Japanese government views the process) than it is somewhat time consuming.  Also keep in mind you will need to submit (it can be done via e-mail) a physician signed copy of your prescriptions.  When we have gone through the process, we simply asked our physicians office for a signed print-out of all our "scripts" which we scanned and sent to Japan along with the application.  In the past 6 years we have applied, twice, because we entered Japan with more than a 30 day drug supply.  On one occasion we received our approval within a few days.  On the other occassion, the Japanese authorities came back and requested that we provide the drug manufacturer and country of manufacture for each drug (this is on the forms and we had originally said "various."  Once we provided that info, we had our approval within 3 days.

 

On our flights into Japan, nobody asked to see our approval or even asked about our drugs.  One of my scripts, for a popular blood pressure med, is actually on the semi-restricted Japanese list.  Even this was approved, without a problem.   Ironically, there was one time when we were flying back to the USA and had to change planes at Narita.  Even though we were "in transit" and not staying in Japan, their immigration/customs agents decided to completely search our carry-on bags, which had plenty of drugs (script and OTC).  They had a lot of interest in each of those drugs, asked us some questions, but did quickly say "Ok."  However, we did not have any narcotics or mood-altering drugs (such as Ambien) which might have caused us lots of grief.

 

Once upon a time I lived in Japan (for two years) and became very comfortable with their culture.  The Japanese authorities do not give much (or any) leeway when it comes to enforcing their written rules.  "Respect" is an important part of the Japanese culture, and not to comply with the rules (if you get caught) will often be viewed as disrespectful and likely cause you some grief...even if they ultimately let you off the hook.  But if you get caught with prohibited items, you can expect (at the very least) that they will seize those items!

 

Hank

 

 

[compozer]

We always take an extra supply of pills.   I carry a supply in weekly containers and my husband carries the same amount in zip lock bags with the pill bottle label on them. Thus for a 30 day trip, together we take a 60 day supply.    Will this be an issue in Japan.  And when I send in a request for pre approval, do we have to list the amount we are bringing in?    The one time I did not take extras, I was quarantined for two weeks with Covid and the island could not get me two of my meds.  That is why we carry extra.    Thanks

[Torquer]

I never would have even thought about this being a concern until I read this thread.  Never heard of anything like this in all the countries we have visited.  So what about if you are just stopping in Japan at the airport to connect to another flight (like US -> Japan -> Singapore), do we have to go through Japanese customs and are prescription drugs an issue in that case.

[Pushka]

On 8/3/2024 at 5:11 AM, sho-me said:

I'm sorry, but I'm really confused - why would the Japanese come on ship and check out what medications i have in my room, or whether or not I have a cpap in my room - I'm not taking anything on shore, so technically I am not bring anything into Japan, am I?

 

You have to get into Japan. 
 

anyway this is the response I received back. 
 

For Those Who Sent an Inquiry Email About Bringing Medication:

-     We answer ONLY in case your medications NEED TO BE CERTIFIED by Kanto Shinetsu Regional Bureau in bringing. Our reply should be made within 3-4 working days.

-     NO PAPERWORK NOR CERTIFICATE is necessary for bringing up to 30-day supply of medication except for several types of injections, narcotics, illegal stimulants and so on into Japan. (ONE set of a CPAP machine MAY be brought as far as you use it for your personal use ONLY without this certificate in entering Japan. Please carry the doctor’s letter or prescription for the CPAP just in case in immigration.)

-     So, please CLARIFY YOUR AMOUNT (i.e., a period of supply; like ‘20 days’) of your medication and the arrival airport in the inquiry email and resubmit if you have not described these 2 points (the ‘amount’ and the ‘arrival airport’) in your inquiry email. (If the arrival airport is Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka or Naha Airport, Kinki Regional Bureau is in charge. Please contact ‘kiyakuji@mhlw.go.jp’)

-     Namely, We DON’T ANSWER to your inquiry when YOU NEED NOT TO OBTAIN the CERTIFICATE for your medication.

[Pushka]

On 8/30/2024 at 11:49 AM, compozer said:

We always take an extra supply of pills.   I carry a supply in weekly containers and my husband carries the same amount in zip lock bags with the pill bottle label on them. Thus for a 30 day trip, together we take a 60 day supply.    Will this be an issue in Japan.  And when I send in a request for pre approval, do we have to list the amount we are bringing in?    The one time I did not take extras, I was quarantined for two weeks with Covid and the island could not get me two of my meds.  That is why we carry extra.    Thanks

Yes. It will be an issue and suggest you email yakkan@mhlw.go.jp with full details then you will receive the email I pasted above, and a follow up email from them if needed. 

[oldfashioncruiser]

I really appreciate you taking the time to help me.