BangladeshTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents
AsiaLast checked 20 Jul 2026Low confidence: check with the embassyHow we rate a record
Bangladesh treats these medications differently. Of the 7 we track, 4 have no published rule we could find and 3 need only your prescription.
Serious penalties: The Narcotics Control Act 2018 prohibits possession, purchase, transport, import or export of a scheduled narcotic drug without a licence, permit or pass, and restricts prescriptions to one purchase each. Section 36 sets the penalties: for amphetamine-type Class A narcotics (serial 5), carrying or importing in breach of s 9(1)(a) is a criminal offence, graded by weight (Table, serial 9, page 22 of the English text as enacted). The only stated relief from the general prohibition is a narrow physician-controlled first-aid-kit exemption on passenger transport, not a personal-luggage allowance.
We could not find strong recent official guidance for this country. Contact the embassy or consulate directly before you travel.
By medication
Brand names first, generic in brackets. Each line resolves the drug class rule below, plus anything Bangladesh records specifically for that medication.
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Not named: Unclear
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is not named in Bangladesh's law (Narcotics Control Act 2018, First Schedule Classes A to C, pages 36 to 38), so no rule for it is published. Ask the authority listed here before you travel.
- Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Unclear
The Narcotics Control Act 2018 lists amphetamine and dexamphetamine as Class A narcotics (First Schedule, Class A item 5, page 36) and methylphenidate as a Class B narcotic (Class B item 4, page 37). Section 9 bans importing, carrying or possessing them without a licence, permit or pass from the Department of Narcotics Control, and the Act has no exemption for a traveller's own medicine. No procedure for a visitor is published, so contact the Department of Narcotics Control before travel.
- Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Unclear
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
- Strattera (atomoxetine)Prescription
Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally controlled. Bangladesh's medicines law exempts a small quantity of medicine brought in for personal use from its import licence rule, subject to conditions the government may set (Drugs and Cosmetics Act 2023, section 41(4)). No number of days or packs is published. We suggest carrying your prescription and keeping the medicine in its original packaging.
- Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Unclear
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)
Unclear- Quantity
- No traveller allowance figure is published. The Act's only quantity-linked provision is a Gazette-notified amount for physician-controlled first-aid kits aboard passenger conveyances, not a personal traveller allowance.
- Permit
- Not published.
Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)
Unclear- Quantity
- No traveller allowance figure is published for psychotropic substances.
- Permit
- Required. A licence, permit or pass under the Narcotics Control Act 2018 (s 9(3)), issued by the Director General of the Department of Narcotics Control or an officer he empowers (s 13(1)). No application procedure or lead time for a traveller is published.
Not internationally controlled
Prescription- Quantity
- A small quantity for personal use (Drugs and Cosmetics Act 2023, section 41(4)). No figure is published.
Responsible authority
Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Department of Narcotics Control
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.
- DGDA: homepageGovernment
- Bangladesh Customs -- Traveler's Info (Baggage Rules, Duty Free Allowances, Declarations)Government
- Drugs and Cosmetics Act 2023 (Act 29 of 2023), official Bangla text: no medicine imported without a licence, s 41(1); small quantity for personal use exempt subject to prescribed conditions, s 41(4)Government, 2023-09-18
- Narcotics Control Act 2018, official Bangla text with 2020 and 2026 amendments: import and possession banned without licence, permit or pass, s 9; permits s 13 (schedule not shown on this page)Government
- NBR -- Baggage Rules (statutory orders, current through 2026)Government
- Narcotics Control Act 2018, English text as enacted: import without licence or permit banned, s 9, page 9; amphetamine and dexamphetamine Class A, page 36; methylphenidate Class B, page 37; lisdexamfetamine not listedGovernment, 2018-11-14
- DNC: homepageGovernment, 2026-08-13
- National Board of Revenue: homepageGovernment
- Bangladesh Customs: homepageGovernment
- INCB: Country Regulations for TravellersTreaty body, 2025-05
Your trip pack
Bangladesh needs a permit before you fly. The pack works out your apply-by date from your travel date.
We have not found an application form or portal for travellers here, so the pack gives you Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Department of Narcotics Control 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.
Build your trip packThis 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 Bangladesh embassy or consulate before travelling.