Ordering medication from overseas
in Health ·
Steven Green2 said:I wouldn't count on this passing through any kind of inspection without scrutiny. If you're ordering something online, there is always a slim chance it might slip through without being flagged by Customs, but one shouldn't hold their breath. Should the package happen to get stuck at the border, if an invoice was included with the shipment, the officials will simply calculate the duty and sales tax themselves, which you’ll then settle with the delivery driver when they arrive at your doorstep. However, if the sender neglected to include an invoice with the goods, you'll likely receive a notification from Customs stating that you need to provide the necessary documentation. In that scenario, it's usually quite simple—you can just fax them or bring over a copy of the receipt (even just a printout of your order confirmation email) so they have a basis to determine the taxes and duties. I can't say for certain, but I believe the duty rate for dietary supplements, including vitamins, sits around 5%. 😉
Importing Medications via Mail
Importing medications through the mail is not permitted.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, importing medications for personal use via the postal service is prohibited in the US. Under federal laws regarding drugs and medical products, only licensed legal entities—those with specific authorization and approval from the FDA—are allowed to import prescription medications for personal use. Furthermore, under current drug regulation, selling medications that haven't been approved for sale in the US via the internet or mail orders is strictly forbidden.