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TaiwanTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents

Asia

Last checked 20 Jul 2026Medium confidenceHow we rate a record

Taiwan 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: Carrying an amphetamine-class ADHD stimulant (Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse) into Taiwan — these are prohibited drugs (禁藥) regardless of a foreign prescription — or mailing/courier-shipping any controlled drug, which is banned outright even under the permit route.

ActionA written answer from Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), Ministry of Health and Welfare; Customs Administration naming your medication, before you book
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By medication

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

  • Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Unclear

    Schedule 2 controlled drug AND classed as a prohibited drug (禁藥); not approved for marketing in Taiwan explicit

  • Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Unclear

    Schedule 3 controlled drug, legal with prescription explicit

  • Dexamphetamine (dexamfetamine)Unclear

    Interpreted to fall within the general 'amphetamine-class = 禁藥 (prohibited drug)' category; not individually named interpreted

  • Strattera (atomoxetine)Prescription

    Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not controlled drugs; as prescription medicines a passenger may carry up to a 6-month supply with a prescription (or up to a 2-month supply without), in original packaging.

  • Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Unclear

    The same rule as Dexamphetamine 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)

Prescription
Quantity
180 days. Amount must not exceed the 'reasonable dosage' stated in the accompanying prescription/medical certificate; capped at 6 months' supply if a prescription/certificate is carried, 2 months if not. No separate numeric mg/gram figure is published. The source states 6 months; rendered here as 180 days at 30 days to the month.
Permit
Not required. Apply at least 7 days ahead. No fee is charged.
Documents
prescription, medical certificate, doctor letter, customs declaration
In force
Since 25 June 2025.

Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)

Unclear
Quantity
No ADHD-stimulant-specific quantity table published; general controlled-drug rule (6 months with prescription) assumed but not explicitly stated for this class.
Permit
Not published.
In force
Since 20 October 2015.

Not internationally controlled

Prescription

Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not controlled drugs; as prescription medicines a passenger may carry up to a 6-month supply with a prescription (or up to a 2-month supply without), in original packaging.

Connecting through Taiwan

Taiwan FDA (TFDA) and TECRO guidance both describe the requirement to carry a doctor's diagnosis certificate/prescription in terms of bringing controlled drugs 'into Taiwan' or 'back into Taiwan,' which implies clearing customs and immigration. Neither source says anything about passengers who stay airside at Taoyuan Airport for a connection. Separately, Taiwan's Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (藥事法) Art. 22(2) has a general exemption from prior-approval import requirements for personal-use drugs 'carried into this country for personal use by passengers or service personnel on board during transportation.' This suggests a transit-friendly principle, but it is a general pharmaceutical-import provision, not a confirmed provision of the Controlled Drugs Act (管制藥品管理條例), which is what actually schedules amphetamine/methylphenidate/lisdexamfetamine. So it cannot be relied on as a confirmed exemption for these controlled substances. This is marked unclear until an official source directly addresses transit for scheduled/controlled drugs.

If you clear immigration: Clearing Taiwan immigration for a connection or overnight layover triggers full entry rules: a doctor's diagnosis certificate/prescription must accompany up to a six-month supply, carried in person (not couriered/mailed). No transit-specific or short-stay waiver was found in official TFDA/TECRO guidance.

Responsible authority

Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), Ministry of Health and Welfare; Customs Administration

TFDA tel +886-2-27878000

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.

Application forms and portals

1 form for Taiwan, found and organised with your apply-by date in the trip pack.

A$19

Plus a doctor's letter pre-filled with your medications and every stop, the deadline counted back from the day you fly, and a checklist in travel order.

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Common questions

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 Taiwan embassy or consulate before travelling.