MauritaniaTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents
AfricaLast checked 20 Jul 2026Low confidence: check with the embassyHow we rate a record
Mauritania 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: 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.
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
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.
- Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Unclear
The same rule as Vyvanse above.
- Dexamphetamine (dexamfetamine)Unclear
The same rule as Vyvanse above.
- Strattera (atomoxetine)Prescription
Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally controlled; carry with a valid prescription in original packaging. No Mauritania-specific import guidance found.
- Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Unclear
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)
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
- Not published. The same DGD page conflict applies: 'substances psychotropes de toute nature' appears in the strictly-prohibited list, while 'substances placées sous contrôle' appears in the restricted, prescription-based list, on the same page. `required` is left null.
- Documents
- prescription
Not internationally controlled
PrescriptionAtomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not internationally controlled; carry with a valid prescription in original packaging. No Mauritania-specific import guidance found.
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)
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.
Responsible authority
Direction Generale des Douanes (Mauritania customs); Ministere de la Sante
Sources
The source 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
A doctor's letter for Mauritania, filled in with your medications and your stops, ready to sign.
The rules above are free and stay free. The pack is the paperwork that goes with them: a checklist for each stop in travel order, a printable PDF, and the letter to take to your GP.
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 Mauritania embassy or consulate before travelling.