Travelling into and out of Canada with prescription medications that contain controlled substances
On this page
- Before you travel in or out of Canada
- Travelling into Canada with a narcotic or controlled drug
- Travelling into Canada with a targeted substance
- Travelling out of Canada with a narcotic, controlled drug or targeted substance
Before you travel in or out of Canada
Find out if your medication contains a controlled substance by:
- asking your pharmacist, doctor or other medical professional
- searching the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and its associated regulations
- checking the Drug Product Database to confirm the product name and schedule under the Act
There are 3 types of controlled substances:
- narcotics, which include:
- morphine
- oxycodone
- methadone
- hydromorphone
- controlled drugs, which include:
- barbiturates
- pentobarbital
- amphetamines
- anabolic steroids
- targeted substances, which include:
- zolpidem
- lorazepam
- alprazolam
There are specific requirements for each type of controlled substance.
Travelling into Canada with a narcotic or controlled drug
If you want to travel to Canada with a medication that contains a narcotic or controlled drug, you must meet certain terms and conditions. These are outlined in the exemption under section 56 of the Act.
Summary of terms and conditions
You can bring whichever amount of medication is less:
- a single course of treatment of a narcotic or controlled drug, or
- a 30-day supply of a narcotic or controlled drug, based on the usual daily dose
The medication must be:
- labelled
- prescribed by a practitioner, such as a:
- doctor
- dentist
- nurse practitioner
- packaged in pharmacy or hospital packaging
The medication must be for you or for a person you are responsible for who is travelling with you. It cannot be for an animal.
You must declare the medication to customs when you arrive in Canada.
The requirements are the same if you are entering or leaving Canada.
You cannot send products containing a narcotic or controlled drug into Canada by mail.
If your stay in Canada is longer than 30 days, you will need to see a physician in Canada to get a prescription.
Travelling into Canada with a targeted substance
If you want to travel to Canada with a medication that contains a targeted substance, you must meet certain requirements.
Requirements under the Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations
Summary of requirements
If you are a Canadian resident, you can bring whichever amount of medication is less:
- a single course of treatment of a targeted substance, or
- a 90-day supply of a targeted substance, based on the usual daily dose
If you are a resident of a foreign country, you can bring whichever amount of medication is less:
- a full container of a targeted substance, or
- a 90-day supply of a targeted substance, based on the usual daily dose, or
- the usual daily dose (of a targeted substance) for each day you stay in Canada
The medication must be prescribed by a practitioner, such as a:
- doctor
- dentist
- nurse practitioner
The label must include:
- directions for use
- name of the patient
- prescription number
- name or brand name of the medication
- date the pharmacist gave you the medication
- name and address of the pharmacy or pharmacist
- name of the practitioner who prescribed the medication
- quantity and the strength per unit of medication, if applicable
The medication must be for you or for a person you are responsible for who is travelling with you. It can also be for an animal travelling with you.
You must declare the medication to customs when you arrive in Canada.
The requirements are the same if you are entering or leaving Canada.
Travelling out of Canada with a narcotic, controlled drug or targeted substance
Some drugs that are legal in Canada may be illegal in other countries you plan to visit. Before you leave Canada, contact the foreign representatives in Canada of the country you plan to visit. They can tell you if your medication is legal in that country. They can also give you any travel requirements you must follow.
Foreign representatives in Canada
Contact us
Email the Exemptions Section if you have any questions about travelling into and out of Canada with prescription medications that contain narcotics or controlled drugs. Provide only a brief description of what you are seeking to do, without including detailed personal or medical information. If further information or an exemption is needed, instructions and the appropriate form will be provided.
Email: exemption@hc-sc.gc.ca
Email the Compliance Section with your questions about travelling into and out of Canada with prescription medications that contain other controlled substances.
Email: compliance-conformite@hc-sc.gc.ca
Email the Health Product Border Compliance Program for information about travelling with prescription medications that do not contain controlled substances.
Email: healthproduct-import-produitsante@hc-sc.gc.ca