Three days ago I took a train across the border. When the customs agent was two seats in front of me, I overheard him tell someone that it is now absolutely forbidden to bring prescription drugs into the US. Is this correct? There are prescriptions that it can be life-threatening to stop suddenly (beta blockers) and others that can be life threatening to have confiscated (insulin) and doubtless many others that it can be quite serious to be deprived of. What recourse does a person have who gets into a fight with an over-zealous customs officer who has misunderstood his instructions?
I might mention that this guy was totally out to lunch. After asking me where I lived and I replied “Montreal”, his next question was why I had visited Canada.
There are a lot of custom officials who, in addition to being out to lunch, have no sense of humour and carry big guns. I’m sure the official has it wrong.
It is not worth getting into a fight with an overzealous customs officer, or any other petty official. I’d ask to talk to their boss. Taking away important medications could easily lead to a legal nightmare.
I’ve been bringing my inhalers onto aircraft going from and returning to the US for the last seven years, and I’ve never had any trouble.
Why DID you visit Canada?
Ah Dutchboy, wait till you come back from lunch. Where, pray tell, do you think Montreal is?
I’ve never been asked about prescription drugs before either. But there is, I understand, a new law just went into effect to guarantee drug company profits. My question is what do you when faced a potentially life-threat from a customs official who can make up rules on the spot? Asking to see his superior is doubtless correct, but most people will conclude it is easier to just lie.
Whenever travelling abroad, I carry a valid prescription for whatever drugs I’m carrying - also handy if you loose them and need to get a replacement local prescription. The chances of any customs official feeling knowledgeable enough to challenge a valid prescription are second-to-none.
On the other hand, there are some drugs that may not be legal in the country you’re travelling to - offhand I know that Codeine is illegal in Greece.
You are allowed three months worth and you are supposed to have a prescription. Here, the pharmacy in Canada has a list of US docs who are licensed in Canada and they will honor those prescriptions.