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, 3 are not allowed in at all, 1 comes in on paperwork with a supply cap 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 doctor's certificate naming you, the medication, the dose and the length of treatment, covering no more than 180 days' supply

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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)Banned
Banned. The Ministry of Health and Welfare classes lisdexamfetamine as an amphetamine-class substance (2015). Preparations of amphetamine-class drugs and their derivatives are prohibited drugs (禁藥) under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, art 22(1)(1) (announcement of 29 August 2025). Lisdexamfetamine is not named in that announcement's list, which ends 'etc.'; it is caught as a derivative. The Act's exception for travellers' own medicines does not cover prohibited drugs. Lisdexamfetamine is also a Schedule 2 controlled drug.
Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Restrictedmax 180 days' supply
Schedule 3 controlled drug (派醋甲酯, TFDA consolidated schedule). Carry a doctor's prescription or medical certificate; you may bring up to the quantity on it and at most 6 months' supply. An optional, free statement can be filed with the TFDA (Enforcement Rules of the Controlled Drugs Act, art 18), taking about 7 working days.
Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Banned
Banned. Amphetamine and dexamfetamine and their salts are prohibited drugs (禁藥) under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, art 22(1)(1), by Ministry of Health and Welfare announcement 衛授食字第1141419035號 of 29 August 2025, continuing a ban in place since 1980. The Act's exception for travellers' own medicines covers only unapproved imports (item 2), not prohibited drugs, and importing a prohibited drug is an offence under art 82. Dexamfetamine is also a Schedule 2 controlled drug. There is no permit or exemption a traveller can apply for.
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)Banned
Banned. Amphetamine and dexamfetamine and their salts, which include mixed amphetamine salts, are prohibited drugs (禁藥) under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, art 22(1)(1), by Ministry of Health and Welfare announcement 衛授食字第1141419035號 of 29 August 2025, continuing a ban in place since 1980. The Act's exception for travellers' own medicines covers only unapproved imports (item 2), not prohibited drugs, and importing a prohibited drug is an offence under art 82. There is no permit or exemption a traveller can apply for.
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: 180 days. For controlled drugs including methylphenidate: up to the quantity on the prescription, and at most 6 months' supply (rendered as 180 days). This is stated expressly for controlled drugs (管制藥品). Dexamfetamine, mixed amphetamine salts and lisdexamfetamine are prohibited drugs and have no allowance.
Permit: Not required. Apply at least 7 days ahead. No fee is charged. No permit is needed for methylphenidate. You may file an optional, free statement with the TFDA Controlled Drugs Division, with a doctor's certificate giving the illness, treatment history and why the controlled drug is needed (Enforcement Rules of the Controlled Drugs Act, art 18). Processing takes about 7 working days.
Documents: Prescription
For methylphenidate only.
A doctor's prescription, or a medical certificate (diagnostic document) instead.
Original packaging (optional)
For methylphenidate only.
Advised: the pharmacy bag or a container labelled with the prescription details, for customs checks.
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 sources 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$59

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.