Flying to Europe - Question

[Jack_Dawson]

I have a prescription drug...well, I have some doctor-prescribed medications. I'm flying to Europe on Tuesday for one week and while I hate to admit this, I've never *been* to Europe.

I know...take that in.

Pretty straightforward question: Can I jam all my pills into one bottle, or will EuroCustoms need to see one bottle per prescription? :beer:

[malta blue]

1. I used to cram everything into one, but now I would keep them separated

Have a great trip!

[supernova]

2. Take all the bottles

they need to see the labels. And you should also carry a list of them with names, dosage and quantity in case you lose your luggage, then you can get replacements.

[Jack_Dawson]

5. R U serious?!

They need to see one bottle per prescripsh? I'm fucked. :beer:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Jack_Dawson!

Have a great trip!

I don't think the Euro Customs people really care about your pills; they only briefly looked at mine.

But...for your own sake, take them in their own, original containers so you'll have an easier time remembering which ones to take when!

We're just now getting home from our own European trip! We had a ball, and I know you will too!

:toast:

[HopeHoops]

4. Don't take Air France.

Or US Scare - the food sucks.

[sohndrsmith]

6. I'm guessing the process is quite different from domestic protocols:

the most important thing being having the prescription label. I dislike taking bulky pill bottles (or using them even at home) so when I fly I usually keep my medicine in a more efficient dispenser/container with the corresponding labels with all the information attached to or next to the dispenser.

I have never been asked to explain my medications, but I prepare for the event when I might be. No matter what, make sure you have the appropriate proof for whatever medication you're carrying - and take the advice of those who have made intl flights.

It's not unwise to call your airline an ask what their requirements are. They can also give you info on the airport/transportation agency requirements so that you can adhere to them. They won't put you off - they appreciate it when passengers want to make sure they follow the rules and laws so all goes well (and more quickly) for everyone.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

[JimWis]

7. When I went to Europe, I took the containers the pills came in

and kept them in my small carry on - made a list of each one and the dosage and kept a copy in my suitcase and wallet - got a prescription from my Doc in case I lost them. Never had any problems.

[Fleshdancer]

8. No, you'll want to have all the bottles on hand

They need to see the labels to make sure you're not bringing anything in or out illegally. I don't know what country you're flying in to, but France was very thorough at looking through my carry on bag...more so than the US actually.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

14. Italy was very thorough, too

And when I flew to England (granted this wasn't that long after 9-11), we had to wait 6 hours in Newark airport for BRITISH security to check us again before we could get on the plane.

Of course, when we flew to Seattle this summer from Newark, LostinVA got a thing of mace through in her carry-on (she didn't realize she had it). On the way back, I got questioned in Seattle over a jar of pickled kelp in my camera bag. They however didn't notice the KNIFE in the mesh pocket in my camera bag. No, I got harassed over a jar of pickles. They let me keep them when I was like, "I bought those in Alaska, and do you think I can buy pickled kelp in NJ?"

ETA: Pickled Kelp is awesome.

[Orsino]

17. I hope the bottles are enough...

...because I seem to recall hearing that actual prescriptions were needed, too, for international travel. I could certainly be wrong, and I don't want to be an alarmist.

[seemunkee]

9. Why be emarrarassed to say you have never been?

Lots of people have never been. Hope you have a great time.
And I would take them in their original bottles and put them in your carry on bag. Don't check them in case they lose your luggage or you get stranded at an airport due to weather.

[mwooldri]

11. +1 - oh and do enjoy the trip! nt

[mwooldri]

10. Separate bottles for each pill.

Chances you'll get pulled will be rare (I've never been pulled except when coming back to the USA and declaring the obligatory Cadbury purchase), but it's best to be on the safe side and if searched have everything laid out.

[Jack_Dawson]

12. Good advice - thx

:beer:

[jberryhill]

13. "declaring the obligatory Cadbury purchase"

Don't get too worked up over that form. Since the first $600 you spend on anything is exempt anyway, that Cadbury purchase isn't going to matter.

[mwooldri]

18. It's not the customs part, it's the Agriculture part...

The part that says "Have you been on a farm/ranch/pasture outside the United States?" ... usually the answer if I'm truthful is "yes", and the "close proximity of livestock"... that can be answered yes too at times. Such is the danger of rural English life...

Mark.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

15. Have fun!

As others have said, keep your prescriptions in their original bottles and you shouldn't have any problems. I live in Germany and have flown home and back numerous times with prescriptions and I have never been questioned about it by any customs officials in any country I've gone through. But I always keep the prescription papers in my wallet just in case.

Enjoy your time over here!

[Onlooker]

16. I don't think it matters

I've flown to Europe a lot, and I've never seen Customs pay any attention to pills. They might care if you're bringing a thousands of pills, or if you're prescribed Oxycontin or Percocet, but otherwise they are not interested. My partner always travels with a pill box that contains an assortment of anti-migraine pills. Keep in mind that many people travel with their medicines in those little Sunday-Saturday containers. So, I think you should be fine jamming the pills in one bottle. If you want to be extracautious, you could always bring a copy of your prescription to show them.

[dembotoz]

19. has to turn out better than when you were on the titanic

really now
was she really worth it?

i would keep them in the bottle with the druggest stuff on it.

[Deep13]

20. No, bring the original pharmacy bottles. nt