JamaicaTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents

North America (Caribbean)

Last checked 15 Sep 2026Low confidence: check with the embassyHow we rate a record

Jamaica treats these medications differently. Of the 7 we track, 6 need approval before you arrive and 1 has no published rule we could find.

Serious penalties: Bringing narcotic medicines into Jamaica without first obtaining the Ministry of Health and Wellness's import permit risks seizure at Jamaica Customs under Section 210 of the Customs Act. The Ministry of Health and Wellness lists psychotropic substances among imports that need a permit, and methylphenidate is a controlled drug that cannot be imported without the Minister's permit (Food and Drugs Regulations, 1975, reg 75). No traveller form or processing time is published. The Regulations set import permit fees (reg 43, reg 76), but no fee is stated for a personal supply.

We could not find strong recent official guidance for this country. Contact the embassy or consulate directly before you travel.

ActionMinistry of Health and Wellness of Jamaica (MOHW) - Standards & Regulations Division / Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Affairs Division approval before you arrive, and no processing time is published, so the earlier it goes in the better

Work out my dates

By medication

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

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Not named: Unclear
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is not named in Jamaica's law (Dangerous Drugs Act and its regulations; Food and Drugs Regulations 1975, Fourth Schedule (List 4 drugs), page 59, and Fifth Schedule (controlled drugs), page 77), so no rule for it is published. Ask the authority listed here before you travel.
Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Permit required
A permit is required. The Ministry of Health and Wellness lists psychotropic substances, with narcotic drugs, among the imports that need a permit. The 2016 Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade page is about prescription drugs in general, not narcotics, and sets out what to send for the permit. The Food and Drugs Regulations, 1975 forbid importing any drug without the Minister's permission (reg 43(1)). Amphetamine and methylphenidate are List 4 drugs (reg 53), which may be imported only by or for a practitioner, drug manufacturer, registered pharmacist or public hospital. Methylphenidate is also a Fifth Schedule controlled drug (reg 75(2)). The Jamaica Customs passenger and restricted-items pages do not mention drugs or medicines at all.
Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Permit required
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
Strattera (atomoxetine)Permit required
Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not controlled drugs in Jamaica, but Jamaica's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade says a special permit is required for Jamaica Customs to bring in prescription drugs, and the Food and Drugs Regulations, 1975 forbid importing any drug without the Minister's permission (reg 43(1)). Apply to the Ministry of Health and Wellness Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Division with a physician's letter, a copy of the prescription, flight details, your address in Jamaica and contact numbers.
Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Permit required
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
Intuniv (guanfacine)Permit required
Guanfacine is a prescription-only (List 4) drug in Jamaica. The Food and Drugs Regulations, 1975 say a List 4 drug may be imported only by or for a practitioner, drug manufacturer, registered pharmacist or public hospital (reg 53), and do not provide for a patient's own supply. Jamaica's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade describes a special permit for bringing in prescription drugs, applied for through the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Get that permit in writing before you travel.
Qelbree (viloxazine)Permit required
The same rule as Strattera above.

Rules by drug class

Narcotic (opioids)

Unclear

Quantity: No quantity or days'-supply cap for personal import of narcotic medicines is published by MOHW, JCA or MFAFT.
Permit: Required. There is no form. Email or post an application to the Ministry of Health and Wellness Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Affairs Division, addressed to the Chief Dangerous Drugs Inspector, with a physician's letter naming the patient and the treatment, a copy of the prescription showing name, strength and quantity for the stay, flight details, your address in Jamaica and contact numbers; the Ministry issues a permit letter to carry when you travel. No fee or processing time is published.
Documents: prescription, doctor letter

Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)

Permit required

Quantity: No quantity or days'-supply cap for psychotropic (ADHD stimulant) medicines is published.
Permit: Required. Send the Ministry of Health and Wellness Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Division a physician's letter naming you and the treatment prescribed, a copy of the prescription showing the name, strength and quantity of each medicine for the length of your stay, flight details, your address in Jamaica and contact numbers. Carry the permit once it is issued. The Ministry names a Yellow Form for psychotropic substances, but no traveller form is published, and no processing time is published.
Documents: Prescription
A copy showing the name, strength and quantity of each medicine for the length of your stay; it goes with the permit application.
Doctor's letter
From your physician, naming you and the treatment prescribed; it goes with the permit application.
Import permit
The special permit from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Carry it once issued.

Not internationally controlled

Permit required

Permit: Required. Send the Ministry of Health and Wellness Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Division a physician's letter naming you and the treatment prescribed, a copy of the prescription showing the name, strength and quantity for the length of your stay, flight details, your address in Jamaica and contact numbers. No processing time is published.
Documents: prescription, doctor letter, import permit

Responsible authority

Ministry of Health and Wellness of Jamaica (MOHW) - Standards & Regulations Division / Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Affairs Division

tasha.parchment@moh.gov.jm (copy tremaine.giscombe@moh.gov.jm, kenny.whyte@moh.gov.jm); Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Affairs Division, Ministry of Health, Kingston, Jamaica

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

Jamaica 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 Ministry of Health and Wellness of Jamaica (MOHW) - Standards & Regulations Division / Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Affairs Division 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 pack

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 Jamaica embassy or consulate before travelling.