United StatesTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents
AmericasLast checked 14 Sep 2026High confidenceHow we rate a record
United States treats these medications differently. Of the 7 we track, 3 come in on paperwork with a supply cap and 4 need only your prescription.
Serious penalties: Some substances (Rohypnol, GHB, Fen-Phen) cannot be imported at all; DEA decides admissibility.
By medication
Brand names first, generic in brackets. Each line resolves the drug class rule below, plus anything United States records specifically for that medication.
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Prescription
No US-specific carve-out; treated under the controlled-substance rule above (Schedule II).
- Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Prescription
Methylphenidate, amphetamine, dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine are Schedule II controlled substances. A visitor may bring them in if they were lawfully obtained for personal medical use, are in the original container in which they were dispensed, and are declared to a CBP officer on arrival (21 CFR 1301.26). The 50-dosage-unit cap in that rule applies only to US residents, not to visitors.
- Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Prescription
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
- Strattera (atomoxetine)Restrictedmax 90 days' supply
Atomoxetine, guanfacine ER and viloxazine are not internationally controlled and are not DEA-scheduled; carry a valid prescription. The FDA allows foreign nationals to bring up to a 90-day supply.
- Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Prescription
The same rule as Ritalin, Concerta above.
- Intuniv (guanfacine)Restrictedmax 90 days' supply
The same rule as Strattera above.
- Qelbree (viloxazine)Restrictedmax 90 days' supply
The same rule as Strattera above.
Rules by drug class
Narcotic (opioids)
Restricted- Quantity
- 50 units. 50 dosage units of controlled substances obtained abroad (US residents); ~90-day personal-supply norm otherwise
- Permit
- Not required. No advance permit; declare to CBP on arrival, DEA decides admissibility
- Documents
- prescription, original packaging, customs declaration
Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)
Prescription- Quantity
- No numeric federal limit applies to visitors: bring enough for your personal medical use. CBP's rule of thumb for visitors is no more than a 90-day supply.
- Permit
- Not required. No advance permit; declare on arrival
- Documents
- prescription, original packaging, customs declaration
Not internationally controlled
Restricted- Quantity
- 90 days. Up to a 90-day supply (FDA policy for foreign nationals).
Connecting through United States
The United States treats a connection as an arrival. Passengers connecting to another country are inspected by Customs and Border Protection at the first US airport and must declare what they are carrying there (19 CFR 148.11; 8 U.S.C. 1225(a)(3)), so the entry rules apply in full: keep the medicine in the original container it was dispensed in and declare it to the officer. Most Australian passport holders also need an ESTA or a visa to transit.
If you clear immigration: Clearing immigration and customs on a connection is an arrival, so the same entry rules apply.
Responsible authority
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); border: CBP
DEA (202) 307-7184
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.
- FDA: Personal ImportationGovernment, 2025-08-18
- CBP: Frequently asked questions about the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA, including transit through the United StatesGovernment, 2025-01-24
- Traveling with Medication to the United StatesGovernment
- CBP: Prohibited and Restricted Items (travelling with medication)Government
- CBP, Welcome to the United States: A Guide for International Visitors: connecting flights, page 13 (PDF page 16)Government
- 8 U.S.C. 1225 (2023 edition): all aliens seeking admission or transit through the United States are inspected by immigration officers, s 1225(a)(3)Government, 2023
- 21 CFR 1301.26 (current to 29 September 2026): personal medical use exemption, original container (a) and customs declaration (b); 50 dosage-unit cap for US residents only (c)Government, 2016-12-30
- 21 U.S.C. 952 (2023 edition): importing Schedule I or II controlled substances is unlawful except as authorised, s 952(a)Government
- 21 U.S.C. 956 (2023 edition): personal medical use exemption for travellers, s 956(a)(1); 50-unit land-border limit for US residents without a prescription, s 956(a)(2)Government
- 19 CFR 148.11: every individual arriving in the United States must declare all articles brought in; Subpart B has no exception for connecting passengersGovernment
- DEA controlled substances, alphabetical list (27 August 2026): amphetamine Schedule II, page 8; lisdexamfetamine Schedule II, page 15; methylphenidate Schedule II, page 17Government, 2026-08-27
- DEA Diversion Control: index of controlled substance schedule lists (links to the lists, not a schedule itself)Government
- 21 CFR 1308.12, Schedule II (current to 29 September 2026): amphetamine and its isomers (d)(1), methylphenidate (d)(4), lisdexamfetamine (d)(5)Government
- INCB Travellers table: United StatesTreaty body, 2014-06-17
Your trip pack
A doctor's letter for United States, filled in with your medications and your stops, ready to sign.
The rules above are free and stay free. The pack is the paperwork that goes with them: a checklist for each stop in travel order, a printable PDF, and the letter to take to your GP.
Build your trip packCommon 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 United States embassy or consulate before travelling.