KuwaitTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents

Asia (Middle East)

Last checked 20 Jul 2026Medium confidenceHow we rate a record

Kuwait treats these medications differently. Of the 7 we track, 4 need approval before you arrive and 3 need only your prescription.

Serious penalties: Kuwait imposes severe drug penalties, and its official INCB table states narcotic drugs are currently not allowed for travellers. Opioid personal carry is effectively prohibited. Psychotropics are limited to Schedules 2/3/4, a 30-day supply, under a prior Ministry of Health approval regime.

ActionNarcotic and Psychotropic Licensing Control: Drug and Food Control Sector, Ministry of Health 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 Kuwait records specifically for that medication.

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Permit requiredmax 30 days' supply
Kuwait lets arriving patients bring these medicines, which its Ministry of Health lists as psychotropic substances, in an amount for no more than one month of treatment. You must show customs your medical report or prescription on arrival, and it must be certified before you travel, in writing or electronically, by the Kuwaiti embassy or the Kuwaiti Health Office in the country where it was issued. This is how Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on its Washington embassy page, sets out the Ministry of Health's Decision 302 of 2025, in force from 15 December 2025. If the report or prescription is not certified, customs will hold the medicine until the airport clinic doctor certifies it, which the Decision says happens within 24 hours. Anything over the one-month amount is seized.
Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Permit requiredmax 30 days' supply
The same rule as Vyvanse above.
Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Permit requiredmax 30 days' supply
The same rule as Vyvanse above.
Strattera (atomoxetine)Prescription
Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally controlled; they should be brought with a normal prescription. Note some anticonvulsants/other CNS drugs (e.g. pregabalin, gabapentin) are also on Kuwait's certification list, so check the full Kuwaiti list before travel.
Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Permit requiredmax 30 days' supply
The same rule as Vyvanse 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)

Banned

Permit: Narcotic (opioid) carry is currently not allowed; any exceptional case needs prior written Ministry of Health clearance. Psychotropics are limited to Schedules 2/3/4 with a 30-day supply and prior approval.

Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)

Permit required

Quantity: 30 days. Enough for no more than one month of treatment (Ministry of Health Decision 302 of 2025, as set out by Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Anything over that amount is seized.
Permit: Required. Clearance must be obtained before you fly, not on arrival. Under a rule in force from December 2025, travellers carrying certain prescription medicines need advance written or electronic clearance from Kuwaiti officials abroad, and the medicines named include methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and amphetamine/dexamfetamine (Adderall). Arriving without it can mean detention and confiscation. Apply through the nearest Kuwaiti embassy or consulate, allow time for review, and carry the certification to present to Kuwaiti Customs on arrival. Once cleared, you may bring enough for no more than one month of treatment (Ministry of Health Decision 302 of 2025, as set out by Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs). No form, portal or processing time is published.
Documents: Prescription
Your medical report or prescription, certified before you travel, in writing or electronically, by the Kuwaiti embassy or the Kuwaiti Health Office in the country where it was issued. Show it to customs on arrival (Ministry of Health Decision 302 of 2025, as set out by Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Must be legalised by the destination's embassy or consulate before you travel.

Not internationally controlled

Prescription

Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally controlled; they should be brought with a normal prescription. Note some anticonvulsants/other CNS drugs (e.g. pregabalin, gabapentin) are also on Kuwait's certification list, so check the full Kuwaiti list before travel.

Responsible authority

Narcotic and Psychotropic Licensing Control: Drug and Food Control Sector, Ministry of Health

Al Jahidh St, MOH Departments compound (Al Sabah Medical Area), Shuwaikh Industrial area; Tel: 2421000 ext 59568/59569; e-mail: sara.almaqseed@moh.gov.kw, aljragh@moh.gov.kw. Certification via Kuwaiti embassy/consulate abroad (e.g. washington.mofa.gov.kw).

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

Kuwait 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 Narcotic and Psychotropic Licensing Control: Drug and Food Control Sector, Ministry of Health 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 Kuwait embassy or consulate before travelling.