BahamasTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents

North America

Last checked 20 Jul 2026Medium confidenceHow we rate a record

Bahamas treats these medications differently. Of the 7 we track, 3 need approval before you arrive, 1 has no published rule we could find and 3 need only your prescription.

ActionChief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health and Wellness approval before you arrive, and no processing time is published, so the earlier it goes in the better

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By medication

Brand names first, generic in brackets. Each line resolves the drug class rule below, plus anything Bahamas records specifically for that medication.

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Unclear
We could not confirm whether Bahamas's law names lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse): the only text that names it is an unsigned, undated copy of a 2024 order, and the 1994 order still shown as current does not name it. No rule for it is published. Ask the authority listed here before you travel.
Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Permit required
The Bahamas asks travellers carrying controlled medicine for a certificate issued by its own health authorities, which it calls Form T. Email the Chief Medical Officer at cmosecretary@bahamas.gov.bs well before you fly and ask how to obtain it. The form is not set out in the Dangerous Drugs Act and we have not found it for download on a Bahamas government site, so this is a request by email. A travel itinerary is also required. The medicine must have been obtained on prescription and must be in its pharmacy or hospital dispensed packaging, labelled with your name. We suggest carrying the prescription so you can show this. The quantity must not exceed what your usual daily dose accounts for.
Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Permit required
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
Strattera (atomoxetine)Prescription
Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally scheduled; carry with a normal prescription in original packaging.
Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Permit required
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
Intuniv (guanfacine)Prescription
The same rule as Strattera above.
Qelbree (viloxazine)Prescription
The same rule as Strattera above.

Rules by drug class

Narcotic (opioids)

Permit required

Quantity: No numeric cap; quantity must not exceed the appropriate amount based on the usual daily dose
Permit: Required. Form T is a certificate issued by the Bahamas' own health authorities, requested from the Chief Medical Officer by email at cmosecretary@bahamas.gov.bs. No form is published: it cannot be downloaded from any Bahamian government page, and the Dangerous Drugs Act sets out only Forms A to E. The source does not distinguish narcotic drugs from psychotropic substances, so the same requirement is recorded for both classes.
Documents: medical certificate, customs declaration, original packaging

Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)

Permit required

Quantity: No day limit is published; carry no more than your usual daily dose accounts for.
Permit: Required. No official source states a lead time or processing time for the Bahamas certificate (Form T). The Bahamas' entry in the INCB travellers table (2 April 2024) asks for two things: a certificate issued by the Bahamas health authorities (Form T), and a travel itinerary, with the medicine obtained under a prescription and kept in pharmacy or hospital dispensed packaging labelled with your name. It gives no lead time, and no Bahamian government page fills this gap.
Documents: destination authority certificate, original packaging

Not internationally controlled

Prescription

Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally scheduled; carry with a normal prescription in original packaging.

Connecting through Bahamas

The Dangerous Drugs Act has transit rules, but they are written for consignments and say nothing about a passenger's own medicine. Under section 16(1), a dangerous drug in transit from a country that is party to the UN drug conventions, and not accompanied by a valid export authorisation or diversion certificate, is an offence. If it is landed or transshipped in the Bahamas, it stays under Customs control and may be moved only under a removal licence (section 16(4), section 17 and Form D). Section 16 does not apply to aircraft that fly over the Bahamas without landing. These rules apply to amfetamine and dexamfetamine (so also mixed amphetamine salts) and to methylphenidate, under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Application) Order 1994. Lisdexamfetamine is not listed in that Order.

Responsible authority

Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health and Wellness

Chief Medical Officer, PO Box N-3730, Meeting Street, Nassau; Tel +1 242 502 4749; cmosecretary@bahamas.gov.bs

Sources

The sources behind everything above, so you can check it yourself rather than take our word for it. Always confirm the current rule with the source before you travel.

Your trip pack

Bahamas needs a permit before you fly. The pack works out your apply-by date from your travel date.

A$59

We have not found an application form or portal for travellers here, so the pack gives you Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health and Wellness to contact, what to put in the request, and how long to allow. Plus a doctor's letter pre-filled with your medications and every stop, and a checklist in travel order.

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This page organises publicly available government information and links. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules change and enforcement varies, so always confirm with the official sources above or the Bahamas embassy or consulate before travelling.