Can you bring Ritalin to Brazil?

• Controlled medication

  depends on specifics

  Whether a controlled medicine can be imported depends on which of ANVISA's schedules (Lists A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1–C5, set by Portaria SVS/MS n° 344/1998) its active substance is on. Medicines on List C1 may be brought in with only a valid medical prescription shown to the sanitary authority at the port of entry — no advance ANVISA authorization is needed, provided no similar product is registered/sold in Brazil (commercial sale of the imported product is prohibited; personal use only). Medicines on Lists A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C2 and C5 cannot be imported by a traveler at all without ANVISA's advance, case-by-case 'exceptional use' authorization: the patient/legal guardian must petition before travel through ANVISA's SEI electronic system with a signed prescription (patient name, commercial drug name, dosage, quantity, treatment duration, doctor's signature/CRM), a medical report (diagnosis/CID, case history, justification vs. Brazilian-registered alternatives), and a signed liability statement. Approval is not guaranteed and, once granted, must be presented at the ANVISA airport post to release the medicine.

  Substances on List C3 (teratogenic/immunosuppressant, e.g. thalidomide, lenalidomide, pomalidomide) are excluded even from the exceptional-use pathway. Substances on Lists E and F are proscribed outright — import, export, trade and use are illegal for any purpose other than authorized research. This pass verified the mechanism directly from ANVISA's official 'Importação de produtos controlados' page, but did not cross-check the live substance-by-substance annex (Portaria 344/1998, Anexo I, which is amended periodically by separate RDCs) to confirm exactly which list captures each named drug — e.g. whether Adderall/amphetamine, Xanax/alprazolam, Valium/diazepam, Klonopin/clonazepam, codeine, oxycodone or tramadol individually sit on C1 versus one of the prohibited-without-authorization lists. Confirm your specific medicine's list before travel via ANVISA's published substance list or its helpline (0800 642 9782).

  Doctor's letter checklist

  Only what Brazil's rule asks the letter or prescription to include. Tick each one off with your doctor.

  • A signed prescription: your name, the commercial drug name, dosage, quantity, treatment duration, and the doctor's signature and registration (CRM)
  • For exceptional-use authorisation: a medical report with the diagnosis (CID), case history and why a Brazilian-registered alternative won't do
  • A signed liability statement

  Copy the list for your doctor

  Source ANVISA — Importação de produtos controlados (Medicamentos)Checked against the official source on 2026-09-13

  Also covers: narcotics, psychotropic medication, controlled substance, adderall, amphetamine, ritalin, methylphenidate, xanax, alprazolam, valium, diazepam, klonopin, clonazepam, opioid painkiller

  Download border card (PDF)

  Source ANVISA — Importação de produtos controlados (Medicamentos)Checked against the source on 2026-09-13

Check your specific trip →|All medication rules for Brazil →

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