Drugs and alcohol
Personal licences
Travellers who are carrying certain controlled drugs abroad (or in the case of an import licence, into the UK) for short periods for their own personal use may need a personal licence.
Travellers will require a personal import or export licence if:
- they are travelling for three calandar months or more
- are carrying imore than three months' supply
Please apply for a personal licence at least ten working days before your travel date.
Overseas applicants
If you are applying from overseas you should allow more time for your application to be processed and for the licence to be posted to you. We advise you not to make fixed travel arrangements before recveiving the licence.
You will need to provide the following documents:
Travelling for less than three months
If you are travelling for less than three months and you are carrying less than three month supply, you will not need a personal import or export licence to enter or leave the United Kingdom.
We advise you to obtain a letter from your prescribing doctor or drug worker, which should confirm your name, travel itinerary, names of prescribed controlled drugs, dosages and total amounts of each to be carried.
If you are carrying prescribed medication which is not a controlled drug you are also advised to obtain a letter.
In either case, the personal licence or doctor’s letter should ordinarily be carried in your hand luggage along with the drugs. But as amounts will vary from person to person please always check with your carrier in advance of your travel date that carrying the entire amount of your medication in your hand luggage is allowed.
Regulations in other countries
Other countries may have their own import regulations for controlled drugs and prescription medicines. We strongly advise you to check this with the UK-based representatives of the country or countries that you are travelling to or through.
Please find a list of contacts for Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions.
2010-09-29
Personal licences | Home Office
