Can you bring Concerta to South Korea?

• Controlled medication

  depends on specifics

  Anyone entering Korea with medicine containing a controlled substance needs a permit from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) before arrival, whatever their nationality. You can bring only what you'll use during your stay, plus up to 5 days' extra for delays, and never more than a 90-day supply. Carry the medicine in your hand luggage.

  Medicine containing controlled substances can't be posted to Korea: MFDS says shipped medicine is seized and destroyed or returned. The permit is only for the person who takes the medicine, not family or friends. MFDS's guide doesn't say whether amphetamine products such as Adderall can be permitted, so ask MFDS before you travel with one. If you're not eligible, or you'll stay longer than 3 months, MFDS suggests asking your doctor about alternatives you can get prescribed in Korea. Korea Customs warns that bringing in medicine with controlled ingredients without that approval is punishable under the Narcotics Control Act, even if it was sold or prescribed abroad: life imprisonment or at least 5 years for ingredients such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone, methylphenidate (it names Ritalin, Concerta and Medikinet) and amphetamine isomers; up to 10 years or a fine of up to KRW 100 million for ingredients such as alprazolam, zolpidem, clonazepam and lorazepam.

  Get an MFDS permit to bring in controlled medicine

  Who to apply to

  Narcotics Policy Division, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)

  When to apply

  At least 10 business days before you arrive. MFDS rejects applications made with less notice, and there's no way to speed it up.

  How long it takes

  Up to 10 business days

  What you'll need

  • A clear, full-size copy of your passport.
  • Your flight booking, showing your name, flight number, arrival and departure dates and arrival airport.
  • A medical certificate or doctor's letter: hospital name, your name, the doctor's name and signature, the diagnosis and symptoms, each medicine's trade name and active ingredient, how to take it, the daily dose, the quantity prescribed and the issue date.
  • A valid prescription with your details, the issue date, the active ingredient, the dose and the quantity.
  • A drug export certificate from your home country's authorities, if your country issues one. If it doesn't, tick "Not available" on the application form.
  • Staying long-term for work or study: a supporting document such as an exchange-student or posting certificate.

  Steps

  1. Gather the documents, in English or Korean. Anything in another language needs a notarised translation, sent with the original.
  2. Apply online on MFDS's nedrug portal at least 10 business days before you arrive.
  3. Ask only for what you'll use in Korea, plus up to 5 days' extra for delays. If you'll travel on to another country, attach that flight booking and you can include the medicine for that trip too.
  4. MFDS emails or faxes the permit to you.
  5. Carry the medicine in your hand luggage when you enter Korea.

  At the border: MFDS sends the permit to the agencies concerned, so carrying your copy isn't required, but it's useful to have. For questions about customs declarations, MFDS refers you to Korea Customs.

  Go to the official application page →

  Source Ministry of Food and Drug Safety — Guideline on permit to bring in narcotics for self-treatment, with FAQ (attachment to the MFDS notice)Procedure checked 2026-10-14

  If you're only changing planes here Not if you stay airside

  No permit is needed if you only change planes in Korea and don't go through immigration.

  Transit rule: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety — Guideline on permit to bring in narcotics for self-treatment, with FAQ (attachment to the MFDS notice) · Checked against the source on 2026-10-14

  Also covers: controlled substance, narcotic medication, psychotropic medication, adderall, amphetamine, ritalin, methylphenidate, stimulant medication, concerta, medikinet, alprazolam, zolpidem, codeine, oxycodone

  Download border card (PDF)

  Source Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (Korea) — permit requirement for entering Korea with medicines containing controlled substancesChecked against the source on 2026-10-19

Check your specific trip →|All medication rules for South Korea →

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