Travelers Beware: Bringing Excessive Medications or Contact Lenses Back to Taiwan Next Year Could Result in Up to 10 Years in Prison

▲Among the list of self-use medications allowed for entry, each person may carry no more than six pairs of contact lenses back to Taiwan. (Photo is illustrative, credit: Reporter Wei Yuting)

Reported by Chen Rui-zhong / Compiled and Reported

Many people purchase local medications or vitamins abroad to bring back to Taiwan, but on June 5, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that starting July 1, 2015, mailing, shipping medications back to Taiwan or personally carrying an “excessive” amount of medications will require obtaining an import consent form prior to entry. Violators may face up to 10 years in prison under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act.

According to statistics from the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, between April 1, 2000 and March 31, 2014, customs seized a total of 670 cases of illegal medications. The FDA stated that considering unscrupulous businesses may exploit loopholes or import illegal medications in small quantities within limits, which affects Taiwan’s medication regulatory system and even endangers public health, pre-application and quantity control measures have been adopted.

In the list released by the FDA, in addition to medications such as Tiger Balm, stomach medicine, oral vitamins, and traditional Chinese herbs,contact lenses are also categorized under the limited quantity list, with each individual not allowed to carry more than six pairs.For those who enjoy purchasing photochromic contact lenses in South Korea or Japan, extra caution is needed.。

After the new regulation takes effect, individuals sending medications back to Taiwan via mail or courier must apply for an import consent form from the FDA in advance.For “over-the-counter medications,” the quantity sent back each time must not exceed 12 bottles or 12 tubes or a total of 1,200 pills.Additionally, repeat applications are not allowed within six months; for “prescription medications,” the quantity must not exceed a reasonable prescription amount.

▲List of self-use medication limits for inbound travelers. (Image / From the website of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Food and Drug Administration)

Travelers or transportation service personnel carrying self-use medications back into the country should comply with the “Limits on Self-Use Medications for Inbound Travelers.” The allowable quantities for listed medications follow the specified amounts, while for medications not listed,each type of “over-the-counter medication” is limited to two bottles (or boxes).The total combined quantity of both listed and non-listed“over-the-counter medications” must not exceed six types.If the limit is exceeded, an import consent form must be applied for from the FDA, Ministry of Health and Welfare before returning to Taiwan; additionally, “prescription medications” must be accompanied by medical certification, and the quantity carried must not exceed the prescribed amount indicated in the medical documentation.

The FDA urges the public to pay attention to the limits when bringing self-use medications back into the country. Carrying excessive amounts or sending medications requires prior application for consent documents. Do not risk breaking the law to avoid penalties. For related information, please visit the “Personal Import Regulations for Self-Use Medications” section on the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Food and Drug Administration website.