Can you travel to the United States with medicines?

Visitors and personal imports

FDA defines personal importation as a product not for resale or distribution. Its guidance says a foreign national—neither a US citizen nor a permanent resident—may bring or ship a 90-day supply of drug products, and describes further shipments for longer stays. It discusses US citizens importing foreign products separately, including restrictions on unapproved drugs and circumstances in which officials may exercise discretion. This FDA guidance is not an unrestricted entitlement to import every product: controlled substances have separate DEA rules, and other federal and state requirements can apply.

FDA separately states that, although personal importation of an unapproved drug may be permitted in some circumstances, this does not create a right or expectation that it will be allowed. Check the exact product and current requirements with the relevant US authorities before travel.16

An FDA checklist for special-event visitors

In a June 2026 handout for international visitors attending special events, the FDA advises bringing medicines in labelled original packaging, carrying a prescription copy or doctor’s letter in English if possible, and declaring FDA-regulated products to US Customs and Border Protection on arrival. This is a preparation example for that audience, not a guarantee that a medicine or peptide is admissible. Check current FDA, CBP and, for controlled substances, DEA requirements for your exact product and journey.5

Controlled medicines and documentation

FDA says DEA generally decides whether controlled substances may be imported for personal use, coordinating with FDA where both have jurisdiction. A 2026 DEA traveller brochure says foreign visitors may bring up to 50 dosage units of controlled substances for personal use, subject to conditions. It specifies the original container and label information and instructs travellers to declare all medicines to US customs. The brochure does not make every substance legal or override other federal and state requirements. Check the exact medicine, traveller status and current rules directly; do not substitute the FDA’s general 90-day visitor guidance for the controlled-substance conditions.124

Supplements, foods and research peptides

A product’s seller description does not determine whether US authorities treat it as a food, supplement, drug or controlled substance. FDA’s personal-import page discusses food separately; it does not grant blanket approval for unapproved peptide products. Seek an official product-specific answer where classification is unclear.1

Airport screening is separate

Airport screening by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is distinct from FDA, CBP or DEA decisions. We could not directly verify the TSA’s current item-specific rules when preparing this guide on 4 November 2026, so no unverified liquid or cooling-pack limit is given here. Consult the departure airport, TSA and airline for current screening and carriage rules.23

Complete the rest of the journey

The source dates below show when each source was consulted; confirm current rules with the responsible authority before departure. Check whether each source applies to visitors or residents and to entry, exit or transit. For the other parts of the trip see airport security, crossing borders and the travel hub.