Sending prescription drugs internationally: Europe, UK, and overseas
Sending prescription drugs through the post or courier can be very tricky because this is a strictly regulated item. Every country and logistics provider has its own regulations for shipping over-the-counter medication or prescription drugs. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the rules and explain how international shipments of medication work.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
Regulations for shipping prescription drugs internationally
When sending prescription medication via courier or postal services, it’s important to know the restrictions that will apply to your shipment. Even though the specific rules may differ for each country or courier company, these are a few general rules:
- Before booking your shipment, you need to check whether the medication you want to send is allowed in the origin and delivery countries. It may be that certain pills are considered over-the-counter products in one country but are strictly regulated in another.
- Checking the import/export regulations of the countries is even more important for shipments that cross international borders outside the EU because they will undergo customs procedures. Some countries have very strict rules about importing medicine.
- Sending prescription drugs is possible only if the courier company allows this type of shipment. Some couriers may refuse to transport prescription drugs to certain destinations or if the shipment does not contain the necessary documents.
- In case you need to ship prescription drugs, it is important to send proof of the prescription.
- Certain services have stricter restrictions than others. For example, Express shipping involves delivery by air freight, which is more restrictive than road freight options.
Can every courier ship prescription drugs abroad?
It is important to note that not all courier companies will ship prescription drugs internationally. For example, DHL, FedEx, TNT and UPS have very strict regulations about shipping prescription and over-the-counter medication.
Each courier has specific rules and requirements for different shipments, so we recommend checking this further with the designated courier for your route.
BEFORE SHIPPING
Information required for shipping prescription drugs internationally
When ordering the shipping of pills and medicines abroad via courier services, there is some information that you may have to provide us with:
- The type of drugs and the amount you want to send.
- Specify if they require a prescription and if they contain substances that cause addiction.
- In many cases, medicines can be temperature-sensitive items or require special transport conditions, so please pay attention to the shipping conditions of the service you book.
- Check if the drugs you want to send or the substances they contain are approved in the delivery country.
HOW TO SHIP
Shipping prescription drugs and medicine with courier services
HOW TO PACK
Packing guide for shipping prescription drugs
When sending or posting prescription drugs, remember to pack them properly to avoid damage. Here are our general guidelines on how to prepare your shipment:
- Ship the items in their original packaging. Alternatively, you can pack them in a leak-proof container such as a sealed polythene bag.
- Wrap the packaged medication in bubble wrap. Use at least two layers of bubble wrap for maximum protection (especially for delicate items), and secure it with tape.
- Put the wrapped items in a cardboard box. Place the medication in the box and surround it with cushioning materials or other items that you wish to ship (such as clothes).
- Seal the box and label it, if needed.
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