South AfricaTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents

By medication

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

• Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Unclear

  Lisdexamfetamine is a Schedule 6 medicine in South Africa only when it is in a medicine registered in South Africa for ADHD. Otherwise it is Schedule 7 (Consolidated Schedules of 1 August 2025). A person entering South Africa may carry up to 30 days' supply of a Schedule 6 medicine with the original prescription, a certified copy of it, or a letter from the prescriber or pharmacist (General Regulations, regulation 8). A Schedule 7 substance has no traveller allowance and needs a permit from the Director-General of Health (Medicines Act, section 22A(9)). South Africa has not published whether a pack dispensed overseas counts as a medicine registered in South Africa, so no source says which rule applies to you. We suggest asking SAHPRA in writing before you travel, and not relying on the 30-day allowance until it answers.

  Permit

  Not published. Whether you need a permit is not settled. A Schedule 6 medicine may be carried under regulation 8 of the General Regulations, which does not mention a permit. A Schedule 7 substance has no traveller allowance and needs a permit from the Director-General of Health (Medicines Act, section 22A(9)). Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is Schedule 6 only when it is in a medicine registered in South Africa for ADHD, and South Africa has not published whether a pack dispensed overseas counts as one, so no source says which rule applies to you. We suggest asking SAHPRA in writing before you travel.

• Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Restrictedmax 30 days' supply

  Methylphenidate is a Schedule 6 medicine in South Africa. Dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine are Schedule 6 only when they are in a medicine registered in South Africa for ADHD; otherwise they are Schedule 7, which has no traveller allowance and needs a permit. South Africa has not said whether a pack dispensed overseas counts as a registered medicine, so ask SAHPRA before you travel with dexamfetamine or lisdexamfetamine. For a Schedule 6 medicine, South Africa's General Regulations let a person entering the country carry up to 30 days' supply for personal use (regulation 8, page 57). You must have the original prescription, or a certified copy of it, or a letter from the prescriber or pharmacist confirming the medicine and quantity were prescribed for you and giving their name, physical address and email address. The regulation does not mention a permit. South Africa's entry on the International Narcotics Control Board's travellers list asks for more: a valid prescription, a doctor's certificate endorsed by your home country's health authority, a certificate from South Africa's health authorities, the original prescription shown at customs, and a copy of your passport and itinerary. No way of applying for the South African certificate is published. Contact SAHPRA if you want confirmation before you travel. Mixed amphetamine salts are Schedule 7 and need a permit; see their own line.

• Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Unclear

  Dexamfetamine is a Schedule 6 medicine in South Africa only when it is in a medicine registered in South Africa for ADHD. Otherwise it is Schedule 7 (Consolidated Schedules of 1 August 2025). A person entering South Africa may carry up to 30 days' supply of a Schedule 6 medicine with the original prescription, a certified copy of it, or a letter from the prescriber or pharmacist (General Regulations, regulation 8). A Schedule 7 substance has no traveller allowance and needs a permit from the Director-General of Health (Medicines Act, section 22A(9)). South Africa has not published whether a pack dispensed overseas counts as a medicine registered in South Africa, so no source says which rule applies to you. We suggest asking SAHPRA in writing before you travel, and not relying on the 30-day allowance until it answers.

  Permit

  Not published. Whether you need a permit is not settled. A Schedule 6 medicine may be carried under regulation 8 of the General Regulations, which does not mention a permit. A Schedule 7 substance has no traveller allowance and needs a permit from the Director-General of Health (Medicines Act, section 22A(9)). Dexamfetamine (Dexedrine) is Schedule 6 only when it is in a medicine registered in South Africa for ADHD, and South Africa has not published whether a pack dispensed overseas counts as one, so no source says which rule applies to you. We suggest asking SAHPRA in writing before you travel.

• Strattera (atomoxetine)Restrictedmax 180 days' supply

  Atomoxetine and viloxazine are Schedule 5 and guanfacine is Schedule 3 under the Medicines Act; none is internationally controlled. A person entering South Africa may bring up to six months' supply for personal use (General Regulations, regulation 8(1)(a)), with the original prescription, a certified copy, or a letter from the prescriber or dispenser giving the prescriber's name and address (regulation 8(2)).

• Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Permit required

  Mixed amphetamine salts are amfetamine salts, which are Schedule 7 (page 192) and Schedule 8 (page 199) under the Medicines Act, with no ADHD exception, and an undesirable dependence-producing substance under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act (Schedule 2 Part III). The traveller allowance in regulation 8 covers only Schedules 3 to 6, so it does not apply. Importing any quantity needs a permit from the Director-General of Health through SAHPRA (Medicines Act, section 22A(11)(a)), which may be refused. Get written authorisation from SAHPRA before you travel, or do not carry it. No traveller application form or processing time is published.

  Permit

  Required. Importing any quantity needs a permit from the Director-General of Health through SAHPRA (Medicines Act, section 22A(11)(a)), which may be refused. No traveller application form or processing time is published.

• Intuniv (guanfacine)Restrictedmax 180 days' supply

  The same rule as Strattera above.

• Qelbree (viloxazine)Restrictedmax 180 days' supply

  The same rule as Strattera above.

Rules by drug class