Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union and Permanent Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Guideline on permit to bring in narcotics for self-treatment

General

Applicant who wishes to obtain Narcotics Bring in Permit should provide the followings to Narcotics Policy Division at Ministry Food and Drug Safety:

1. Application form 1: Inbound Traveler’s Permit for Narcotics contained Medication for Personal Use

2. Application form 2: Narcotics bring in permit

3. A full-size copy of passport (Clear enough to indentify photo and passport information)

4. A copy of flight reservation ticket (Necessary information: date of entry/departing, flight No., port of arrival, name of passenger)

5. Medical certificate/doctor’s letter (Necessary information: name of hospital, patient’s name, prescribing doctor’s name and signature and signed date, diagnosis, symptom, pill trade name and generic name (active ingredient’s name) of medicine, the way to take,dosage, daily dose, prescribed quantity, issued date)

6. Valid prescription (Necessary information: Patient’s information (name, date of birth, etc.), issued date, generic name (active ingredient’s name), dosage, prescribed quantity)

7. Drug export/import certificate for travelers issued by the authorities of the country of residence. Submission of the document under 5 and 6 of this paragraph can be exempted if this certificate is submitted. If there is no such a certificate available in your country, please check the box saying “Not available” on application form 1.

   ※ Submission: E-mail: narcotics@korea.kr or Fax: +82 43 719 2800,

   Use English or Korean only for application and required documents. Notarized translation is required if the English or Korean documents are unavailable. In that case, both original and translated document shall be submitted.

   For long term business/study purposed visitors should provide reference  document for authenticity purpose. (e.g. exchanged student certificate, certificate for dispatchor business trip, etc.)

   The quantity brought in must not exceed 90 days (3months) supply at the maximum dose recommended by prescriber. The medicines for the stay after 90 days shall be prescribed in Korea.

   Permit will be given strictly according to the length of your traveling.

   Application and required documents should be submitted at least 10 business  days before entry date of the applicant because legal processing period of the permit is 10 business days. Application may be rejected if any incomplete/inadequate documentis submitted or submission is done after the time limit of application.

   The amount to bring in shall be the amount the applicant can consume all  during the visit. Some extra amount may be allowed for just in case like flight delay and long flight time, but the amount is limited to 5 days dose.

   If the applicant will visit any other country after leaving Korea, he/she can bring the medicine for the period if the flight reservation ticket for the period is attached. In this case, the amount allowed shall be the amount that can be consume all during the period staying in Korea and the period of trip after leaving Korea.

   All prescription medicines should be carried in hand luggage by the applicant when entering.

Warnings

You must not carry your controlled drugs more than you are granted for the travel. Any kind of medicines containing controlled substances should not be mailed or posted into Korea. Such activity is strictly prohibited under 『Narcotics control Act』. Already shipped medicines seized by Korea customs will be destroyed or returned to the sender. We recommend that you may seek alternative medicines for your drugs in Korea if you are not eligible to obtain this permit or if you plan to stay longer than 3months. Talk to your doctor to get advised about this.

Only the person who will take the drug can get the permit. This permit will not be granted for the medicine of any acquaintance such as family members or friends

Application can be rejected and the permit issued by the application can be annulled if the particulars and documents furnished in respect of this application are not true and correct.

Marijuana is prohibited to bring in.

* The term "marijuana" means the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa L.), the resin extracted therefrom, all the products manufactured using the hemp plant or its resin as their raw materials, products containing Cannabinol or Tetrahydrocannabinol or Cannabidiol, and all the products or mixtures containing any of the aforementioned: Provided, That this shall exclude the seeds and roots of the hemp plant, the mature stalks of such plant, and the products manufactured using them.