Flying with Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro: what ten countries allow

Millions of people now inject Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound every week, and those pens have to travel too. They're liquid, they need needles, and some must stay cool. Here's what the official sources say in ten countries.

The short version: none of these countries bans them, but most limit how much you can bring, and almost all expect proof that they're yours.

What to pack everywhere

• The pens in their original pharmacy packaging, with your name on the label.
• Your prescription, or a letter from your doctor naming the medicine and dose.
• Only as much as the trip needs, plus a margin. Limits below are per trip.

Country by country

United States. As FDA-approved drugs, brand-name GLP-1s and insulin follow the FDA's personal-import rules: visitors can bring about a 90-day supply with a prescription or doctor's letter. At security, TSA lets insulin through as a medically necessary liquid; tell the officer. Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide gets more scrutiny.

United Kingdom. Injectable medicine over 100 ml can go in hand luggage if you carry proof it's prescribed to you. Syringes are allowed. Cooling gel packs are fine; for ice packs, contact the airport first.

Canada. A 90-day supply or one course of treatment, whichever is less, in labelled packaging. Health Canada says medical devices you use on yourself aren't restricted, which covers pens and needles.

Australia. Up to three months' supply, with a prescription or doctor's letter, in original packaging, and you must declare it to Border Force. The health regulator's own example has a traveller keeping insulin cold in a small cooler bag on a long-haul flight.

Japan. Up to a one-month supply without paperwork. For more, you need an import certificate (Yakkan Shoumei) arranged before you travel.

Thailand. Up to a 30-day supply. Thailand's FDA also asks for documents for medical devices, such as a letter and a medical certificate. It doesn't say clearly whether a pen counts, so carry the paperwork.

Singapore. The medicine is fine: up to three months with a prescription. The pens, needles and syringes are the question. Singapore may require advance approval for medical devices, applied for at least 10 working days ahead. The official text doesn't settle whether your own pens count, so email HSA (PTM_Enquiry@hsa.gov.sg) before you go.

Mexico. Customs allows medicines for personal use without a special permit. Its prescription-only rule is for psychotropic drugs, which GLP-1s aren't.

Brazil. The quantity must fit your treatment and length of stay. A prescription may be requested if it looks excessive.

Rwanda. Up to a 90-day supply, with a prescription where applicable.

The two that need planning

Japan's one-month cap and Singapore's device approval are the ones that can go wrong at the border. Sort them out before you book, not at the airport.

See every country we cover for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and insulin.