Can you bring melatonin to the United Kingdom?
Short answer
Depends on specifics
The official rule for the United Kingdom below names melatonin. The same rule also covers the other medicines it lists, so read the conditions carefully.
Melatonin
depends on specificsMelatonin is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. It's licensed for short-term insomnia and jet lag in adults, and for some sleep disorders in children aged 6 to 17. It isn't legally sold as a food supplement there: products containing it are regulated as medicines and need a marketing authorisation.
UK government guidance on travelling with medicine covers controlled drugs. We found no official UK rule on how much of a prescription-only medicine that isn't a controlled drug, such as melatonin, you can bring for personal use, or what proof you need. So we can't confirm a limit. Don't plan on buying melatonin in UK shops.
Also covers: melatonin, circadin
Source MHRA press release — undeclared prescription-only medicine (melatonin) in kids' magnesium gummies (18 August 2025)Checked against the source on 2026-10-15
Check your specific trip →All medication rules for the United Kingdom →
Melatonin in other countries
- Australiadepends on specifics
- Japanallowed, within limits
- New Zealanddepends on specifics
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