RussiaTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents
EuropeLast checked 20 Jul 2026Medium confidenceHow we rate a record
Russia treats these medications differently. Of the 7 we track, 4 are not allowed in at all and 3 need only your prescription.
Serious penalties: Russia prohibits carriage of any substance in 'List I' of its legislation; only Lists II and III may be carried for treatment. Both an export certificate (from your country of residence) and an import certificate (Russia) are required, plus a certified Russian translation of foreign-language documents. Amphetamine-type ADHD stimulants and some codeine products may map to prohibited/tightly-controlled tiers. Confirm against Russian Government Decree No. 681.
By medication
Brand names first, generic in brackets. Each line resolves the drug class rule below, plus anything Russia records specifically for that medication.
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Banned
Lisdexamfetamine is on List I of Government Decree No. 681 (psychotropic substances section, covered by the entry Амфетамин и его производные, amphetamine and its derivatives, as it is not named separately), and Russia's traveller table prohibits List I substances outright. No certificate route exists for it. Do not bring it in. List placement from the decree as transcribed; the official text was not reachable from this network.
- Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Banned
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is on List I of Government Decree No. 681 (psychotropic substances section, listed as Метилфенидат (риталин)), and Russia's traveller table prohibits List I substances outright. No certificate route exists for it. Do not bring it in. List placement from the decree as transcribed; the official text was not reachable from this network.
- Dexamphetamine (dexamfetamine)Banned
Dexamfetamine is on List I of Government Decree No. 681 (psychotropic substances section, listed as Дексамфетамин), and Russia's traveller table prohibits List I substances outright. No certificate route exists for it. Do not bring it in. List placement from the decree as transcribed; the official text was not reachable from this network.
- Strattera (atomoxetine)Prescription
Atomoxetine, guanfacine ER and viloxazine are not internationally scheduled; however Russia maintains its own 'potent substances' list, so verify status and carry a prescription with a certified Russian translation.
- Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Banned
Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall) is on List I of Government Decree No. 681 (psychotropic substances section, listed as Амфетамин и его производные), and Russia's traveller table prohibits List I substances outright. No certificate route exists for it. Do not bring it in. List placement from the decree as transcribed; the official text was not reachable from this network.
- Intuniv (guanfacine)Prescription
The same rule as Strattera above.
- Qelbree (viloxazine)Prescription
The same rule as Strattera above.
Rules by drug class
Narcotic (opioids)
Permit required- Quantity
- No official traveller quantity is published
- Permit
- Required. An export certificate from the country of residence AND an import certificate for Russia are both required for the specific substance; no numeric limit is published. List I substances are prohibited.
- Documents
- prescription, home authority certificate, import permit, customs declaration
Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)
Banned- Quantity
- No fixed day limit stated; amount must match the prescription/medical documents. Only substances in Lists II and III of Russian legislation may be transported for treatment; List I substances are prohibited.
- Permit
- Required. Two certificates, not one. Russia asks for an export certificate for the specific substance issued by the competent authority of your country of residence, and states that an import certificate issued by the equivalent authority in Russia is also required. Check the substance first: only substances in Lists II and III of the Russian legislation may be transported for treatment purposes, and List I may not be brought in at all. Supporting medical documents in a foreign language need a certified Russian translation.
Not internationally controlled
PrescriptionAtomoxetine, guanfacine ER and viloxazine are not internationally scheduled; however Russia maintains its own 'potent substances' list, so verify status and carry a prescription with a certified Russian translation.
If a country asks for a certificate from your own health authority
Australia does not issue export certificates for personal medication. There is no Australian office that endorses a traveller's certificate the way a Schengen country's health authority endorses an Article 75 certificate. The Office of Drug Control licenses commercial exporters, and the TGA regulates products rather than certifying individual travellers, so neither will stamp your paperwork.
What to do instead: ask your prescriber for a signed letter on practice letterhead giving your name and passport number, each medicine by generic and brand name, strength, daily dose, total quantity and the dates it covers, plus the prescriber's registration number and contact details. Have it dated close to departure, and carry the original dispensing labels.
Then contact the destination's authority in writing before you book, say plainly that Australia does not issue the certificate they ask for, and ask what they will accept in its place. Keep the reply. A written answer from the authority is the strongest document you can carry, and it is the only thing that closes this gap.
Responsible authority
Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
127994, Moscow, Rachmanovski per. 3/25 p.1,2,3,4; Tel: +7 495 628-44-53; Fax: +7 495 628-50-58; E-mail: info@minzdrav.gov.ru; Web: https://minzdrav.gov.ru
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
Russia 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 Ministry of Health of the Russian Federationto 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 Russia embassy or consulate before travelling.