Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents
North AmericaLast checked 20 Jul 2026Medium confidenceHow we rate a record
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines treats these medications differently. Of the 7 we track, 4 need approval before you arrive and 3 need only your prescription.
Serious penalties: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' stated policy requires pre-approval from the Chief Medical Officer, obtained through your prescribing physician, before any opioid or ADHD stimulant medicine is brought in for personal use — arriving without it, or without declaring pharmaceuticals to Customs, is what the Ministry's own guidance identifies as the risk point, and there is no public form to fall back on if you have not already arranged this.
By medication
Brand names first, generic in brackets. Each line resolves the drug class rule below, plus anything Saint Vincent and the Grenadines records specifically for that medication.
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Permit required
SVG recognises and adopts the full Schedules I-IV of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which covers every ADHD stimulant in scope. The same pre-approval policy, physician-mediated letter process, document list, absence of a public form, and mandatory customs declaration described for the narcotic class apply here — the Ministry's FAQ answers both classes together under 'Narcotics and Psychotropic drugs'.
- Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Permit required
The same rule as Vyvanse above.
- Dexamphetamine (dexamfetamine)Permit required
The same rule as Vyvanse above.
- Strattera (atomoxetine)Prescription
Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not controlled; a physician's letter and prescription suffice without the special import licence required for controlled stimulants.
- Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Permit required
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)
Permit required- Quantity
- No numeric or day-count cap is published. The prescription must show 'the name, strength and quantity of the drugs for the duration of the stay' — quantity is whatever the traveller's trip and treatment require, not a government-set figure.
- Permit
- Required. Pre-approval must be obtained before travel. The traveller's prescribing physician writes directly to the Chief Medical Officer (or contacts the SVG Pharmacy Council) with a letter and supporting documents; there is no downloadable form or online process — the Ministry says so explicitly. No processing time or fee is published, so start well before booking.
- Documents
- prescription, doctor letter, customs declaration
- In force
- Since May 2023.
Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)
Permit required- Quantity
- Same as the narcotic class: only a duration-of-stay standard is published, not a numeric cap.
- Permit
- Required. Same pre-approval process as the narcotic class. No form, portal, processing time or fee is published.
- Documents
- prescription, doctor letter, customs declaration
- In force
- Since May 2023.
Not internationally controlled
PrescriptionAtomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not controlled; a physician's letter and prescription suffice without the special import licence required for controlled stimulants.
Leaving Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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)
SVG's own guidance describes no SVG-issued export permit or additional SVG approval step for departure. It instead tells departing travellers to obtain pre-approval from the destination country so that its own requirements are met — the outbound instruction points outward, not back to an SVG authority.
Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)
Same as the narcotic class: no SVG export permit is described; departing travellers are told to satisfy the destination country's own requirements.
Responsible authority
Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environmental Health and Energy
Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Halifax Street, Kingstown: mohesvg@gov.vc; Tel +1 784 457 2586 or +1 784 456 1111 ext 511. SVG Pharmacy Council: svgpco8@yahoo.com, +1 784 485 6994.
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
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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 Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environmental Health and Energyto 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 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines embassy or consulate before travelling.