Can you bring codeine to Malaysia?
Short answer
Depends on specifics
The official rule for Malaysia below names codeine. The same rule also covers the other medicines it lists, so read the conditions carefully.
Controlled medication
depends on specificsPrescription medicines containing dangerous drugs (e.g. cannabis- or narcotic-based medication liable to abuse or dependence) must be declared at the border on arrival. Medicines controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and the Poisons (Psychotropic Substances) Regulations 1989 need a valid prescription or a doctor's letter, written in English or with a translation, stating the medicine, dosage and quantity. The same one-month personal-use quantity cap applies.
The MOH guide points to the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and the Third Schedule of the Poisons Act 1952 for which substances are covered — this pass did not check each named drug (e.g. specific ADHD stimulants or benzodiazepines) against those schedules, so confirm a specific product with the MOH Pharmaceutical Services Programme (pelesenanbpf@moh.gov.my, +603-7841 3200/3320) before travel. The Customs Department separately states prescription drugs can only be imported subject to licences/permits from the Ministry of Health, and drug trafficking carries a mandatory death penalty.
Doctor's letter checklist
Only what Malaysia's rule asks the letter or prescription to include. Tick each one off with your doctor.
Source Ministry of Health Malaysia, Pharmaceutical Services Programme — Traveller's Guide: Bringing Medication into MalaysiaChecked against the official source on 2026-09-21
Also covers: controlled substance, narcotic medication, psychotropic medication, adderall, amphetamine, ritalin, methylphenidate, xanax, alprazolam, valium, diazepam, klonopin, codeine, morphine
Source Ministry of Health Malaysia, Pharmaceutical Services Programme — Traveller's Guide: Bringing Medication into MalaysiaChecked against the source on 2026-09-21
Check your specific trip →All medication rules for Malaysia →
Codeine in other countries
- Albaniaprohibited
- Australiaallowed, within limits
- Brazildepends on specifics
- Canadaallowed, within limits
- Costa Ricaallowed, within limits
- Cyprusdepends on specifics
- Georgiadepends on specifics
- Hong Kongdepends on specifics
- Israelallowed, within limits
- Japandepends on specifics
- Maldivesdepends on specifics
- New Zealanddepends on specifics
- Philippinesdepends on specifics
- Qatardepends on specifics
- Saudi Arabiadepends on specifics
- Serbiadepends on specifics
- Singaporedepends on specifics
- South Koreadepends on specifics
- Taiwandepends on specifics
- Thailanddepends on specifics
- Turkeyallowed, within limits
- United Arab Emiratesdepends on specifics
- United Kingdomallowed, within limits
- United Statesallowed, within limits
Other medicines
Informational only — not legal advice. Customs rules change; confirm with the official source above before you travel. Not medical advice. Don't stop or change a medicine because of a travel rule without talking to your doctor. See update history