Can I bring my medication into China?
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Short answer
You may bring small amount / reasonable quantity of medicine for your own use. Bring the prescription or a doctor's letter and keep the medicine in its original packaging.
Stricter rules apply to narcotic and psychotropic drugs (some ADHD medicines, codeine, many sleeping pills): you need a diagnosis certificate and may carry only a limited amount (diagnosis certificate + ID; max one prescription).
If you carry medicine that may need declaring, use the red channel at customs. If unsure, also red (unsure = red channel). Rules change: confirm with the Chinese embassy before you fly.
| Fact | Value | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal-use medicine: small amountAll travellers | small amount / reasonable quantity | Shanghai International Service Portal (Shanghai Municipal Government), citing NMPA | |
| Documents and declaration for medicinesAll travellers | bring prescription/records; declare | Chongqing Municipal People's Government (English) | |
| Original packaging with prescription (US advice)US travellers (useful to all) | original packaging + prescription | US Department of State | |
| Narcotics and Class I psychotropics carrying ruleTravellers carrying narcotics or Class I psychotropics | diagnosis certificate + ID; max one prescription | Shanghai International Service Portal (Shanghai Municipal Government) | |
| Methylphenidate is Class I psychotropicTravellers with methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) | Class I psychotropic | Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department (relaying NMPA and GACC announcement)Secondary source | |
| Codeine is a narcotic drug in the customs code listTravellers with codeine or other strong opioid painkillers | narcotic drug | Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department (relaying NMPA and GACC announcement)Secondary source | |
| Many benzodiazepines are Class II psychotropicsTravellers with sleeping pills or benzodiazepines | Class II psychotropic (many benzodiazepines); day limit null | Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department (relaying NMPA and GACC announcement)Secondary source | |
| Marijuana listed as prohibited importAll inbound passengers | marijuana prohibited; CBD not addressed | Shanghai Municipal Government (source: General Administration of Customs) | |
| US advice: little tolerance for marijuanaUS travellers (useful to all) | positive test can lead to detention, fines, deportation, ban | US Department of State | |
| Red and green channelsAll inbound passengers | red = goods to declare; green = nothing to declare | Shanghai Municipal Government (source: General Administration of Customs) | |
| Unsure means red channelAll inbound passengers | unsure = red channel | Hunan Provincial People's Government (English) |
How much ordinary medicine can I bring?
China allows small amount / reasonable quantity for personal use, subject to customs inspection. No official page we found sets a number of days or boxes for ordinary medicine.
Bring the prescription, medical records or a diagnosis certificate (bring prescription/records; declare), keep tablets in the original packaging + prescription, and pack enough for the whole trip: the UK government warns that some medicines may not be available in China (check with GP and Chinese Embassy).
Don't plan to have medicine posted to you: mailed medicines may be seized.
Can I bring ADHD medication to China?
Possibly, with documents, but the rules are strict. China regulates many ADHD stimulants as psychotropic substances. Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta): Class I psychotropic. Amphetamine (Adderall): Class I per secondary source; not verified against catalogue. Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse): Not confirmed yet.
For these, the national rule is: diagnosis certificate + ID; max one prescription. Travel guides quote day limits (Not confirmed yet), but we could not confirm them on an official page.
The US government page does not mention ADHD medicine specifically (Not confirmed yet). Ask the Chinese embassy in your country in writing before you travel, and carry its reply.
Can I bring codeine or strong painkillers?
Codeine is listed as a narcotic drug: narcotic drug. Chongqing's official FAQ says such medicines are prohibited unless medical exception. The medical exception needs the diagnosis certificate and the quantity rule above.
What about sleeping pills and anxiety medicine?
Many benzodiazepines are Class II psychotropics: Class II psychotropic (many benzodiazepines); day limit null. Zolpidem (Ambien): Not confirmed yet. Carry the prescription and declare them.
Is CBD legal in China?
Customs bans marijuana and other addictive drugs (marijuana prohibited; CBD not addressed), and CBD is banned as a cosmetics ingredient (CBD in cosmetics prohibited). Leave CBD products at home.
Foreign governments warn about drug tests: the US says positive test can lead to detention, fines, deportation, ban, and Canada says random urine/hair tests; prosecution regardless of where/when consumed.
Do I have to declare medicine at customs?
China uses two channels: red = goods to declare; green = nothing to declare. Officials advise declaring medicines and carrying the documents (declare medicines; bring documents). If you are not sure, use the red channel.
Visa and arrival steps are on the visa-free page and the arrival card page.
Questions people ask
Can I bring Adderall to China?
Amphetamine is reported as a Class I psychotropic in China (Class I per secondary source; not verified against catalogue). Class I medicines need a diagnosis certificate and a limited quantity. Confirm with the Chinese embassy in writing.
Do I need a doctor's letter for my medicine in China?
Officials advise bringing prescriptions, medical records or a diagnosis certificate for any medicine, and they are required for narcotic and psychotropic medicines.
Can I bring CBD oil to China?
No. Customs bans marijuana, CBD is banned in cosmetics, and foreign governments warn that drug tests can lead to detention.
Sources
- Can I bring prescribed or personal medications from my home country to Shanghai?, Shanghai International Service Portal (Shanghai Municipal Government), citing NMPA, retrieved
- What are the requirements for carrying medicines for personal use when entering or leaving China?, Chongqing Municipal People's Government (English), retrieved
- China travel advisory / country information page, US Department of State, retrieved
- Trade circular reproducing NMPA/GACC Announcement No. 110 of 2025, Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department (relaying NMPA and GACC announcement), retrieved
- Customs clearance guide for inbound passengers, Shanghai Municipal Government (source: General Administration of Customs), retrieved
- Customs clearance guide for international passengers (Hunan), Hunan Provincial People's Government (English), retrieved
- China travel advice: Health, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (gov.uk), retrieved
- Can I Bring Adderall to China? The ADHD Traveler's Guide (2026), China Survival Kit (blog), retrieved
- Bringing Medication to China: ADHD, Antidepressants & Controlled Drugs, Trip.com (travel guide), retrieved
- China CBD ban: Retailers encouraged to pull products off shelves as regulators formally ban use in cosmetics, CosmeticsDesign-Europe, retrieved
- China travel advice and advisories, Government of Canada, retrieved