MauritaniaTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents

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Last checked 20 Jul 2026Low confidence: check with the embassyHow we rate a record

We could not find a published rule for these medications in Mauritania, and we would rather say so than infer one.

Serious penalties: Mauritania Customs' own 'prohibited and restricted goods' page both bans 'narcotics and psychotropic substances of every kind' outright 'under any circumstance' and, in a separate clause on the same page, lists controlled medicines as importable with prior authorisation and a prescription, an unreconciled contradiction that could see a traveller's prescribed opioid or ADHD medication treated as contraband at the border regardless of documentation carried.

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

ActionA written answer from Direction Generale des Douanes (Mauritania customs); Ministere de la Sante naming your medication, before you book

Work out my dates

By medication

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

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Unclear
We could not confirm whether Mauritania's law names lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse): the tables are set by a Health Minister's order that we could not find. No rule for it is published. Ask the authority listed here before you travel.
Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Unclear
The DGD page names 'substances psychotropes' directly in its ban clause, and 'substances placées sous contrôle' in its restricted/authorisable clause, without reconciling the two. No INCB submission exists to cross-check, and Mauritania's Ministry of Health site (sante.gov.mr) was unreachable throughout this pass, so no dedicated psychotropic-substances statute could be checked. Contact the DGD and the Direction de la Pharmacie et des Laboratoires before travelling with methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, mixed amphetamine salts or lisdexamfetamine.
Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Unclear
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
Strattera (atomoxetine)Unclear
Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally controlled. Mauritania Customs lists medicines among restricted goods, which it says need prior authorisation from the competent authorities. It does not name the authority or say how to apply. Customs also says medicines must be for personal use, come with a recent, detailed prescription from the treating doctor, and be in their original packaging. Ask Mauritania Customs or the Ministry of Health before you travel whether you need an authorisation.
Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Unclear
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
Intuniv (guanfacine)Unclear
The same rule as Strattera above.
Qelbree (viloxazine)Unclear
The same rule as Strattera above.

Rules by drug class

Narcotic (opioids)

Unclear

Quantity: No quantity, day-supply or dosage limit for medicines of any kind is published by Mauritania Customs; only a qualitative 'for personal use' condition is stated.
Permit: Not published. Mauritania Customs' 'prohibited and restricted goods' page bans 'stupéfiants et substances psychotropes de toute nature' outright 'en toutes circonstances,' while separately listing 'médicaments... substances placées sous contrôle' as a restricted category requiring prior authorisation from unnamed competent authorities, personal use, a recent detailed prescription, and original packaging. The two provisions are not reconciled, so `required` is left null rather than resolved either way.
Documents: prescription

Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)

Unclear

Quantity: No quantity, day-supply or dosage limit for medicines of any kind is published by Mauritania Customs.
Permit: Required. Mauritania Customs lists medicines containing controlled substances as restricted goods that need prior authorisation from the competent authorities, with a recent, detailed prescription from the treating doctor, for personal use only, in the original packaging. Customs does not name the authority, a form or a lead time. The status stays unclear because the same customs page lists 'stupéfiants et substances psychotropes de toute nature' among goods banned in all circumstances.
Documents: prescription

Not internationally controlled

Unclear

Permit: Required. Mauritanian Customs lists medicines as needing prior authorisation from the competent authorities and names no authority or procedure for a traveller.
Documents: Prescription
Recent and detailed, from the treating doctor. Bring only a personal-use quantity.
Original packaging

Leaving Mauritania

Mauritania publishes a different rule for taking these medicines out than for bringing them in. Only the differences are below. Anything not listed here is the same as the rule above.

Narcotic (opioids)

Leaving is governed by the same clauses as arriving, and both state it in terms. The absolute-prohibition clause covers goods 'dont l'importation ou l'exportation est prohibée en toutes circonstances' / 'يُحظر دخولها أو خروجها تحت أي ظرف', and the restricted clause covers goods 'dont l'importation ou l'exportation nécessite l'obtention d'autorisations préalables'. So the same unresolved ban-versus-restriction conflict applies on exit, with the same prescription, personal-use and original-packaging conditions attached to the restricted limb. No outbound-specific quantity, permit process, fee, lead time or form is published, and no source distinguishes departure from arrival.

Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)

Responsible authority

Direction Generale des Douanes (Mauritania customs); Ministere de la Sante

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

Mauritania 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 Direction Generale des Douanes (Mauritania customs); Ministere de la Sante 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 Mauritania embassy or consulate before travelling.