Can I bring Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine to Korea?
Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine · Adderall · Mydayis · Dexedrine
Required사전 승인 필요
Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine requires prior approval from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) before you travel.
Korea lists amphetamine in annex 4 of the Narcotics Control Act enforcement decree, the schedule for psychotropic substances with severe abuse potential and very limited medical use. No amphetamine product has ever been approved in Korea. You need written MFDS approval before entering with Adderall; without it, customs can seize the medication and you face criminal charges even with a valid home-country prescription. Approval covers at most a 90-day supply, so apply 3 to 4 weeks before you fly.
How to apply for MFDS approval →How Korea classifies it
Under the Narcotics Control Act, Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine is a psychotropic substance (향정신성의약품), listed in annex 4 of the enforcement decree, the schedule for psychotropic substances with severe abuse potential and very limited medical use. The classification attaches to the substance itself, so it applies to every product, brand, and dosage form that contains it. That is why the entry rule does not depend on how much you carry or whether your home prescription is valid: the substance triggers the permit requirement on its own.
Before you fly
- 1.Apply for the MFDS self-treatment permit at least 3 to 4 weeks before departure, online at nedrug.mfds.go.kr or by email to narcotics@korea.kr. Results are issued within 10 business days.
- 2.Prepare a passport copy, your flight itinerary, the prescription, and a doctor's note stating diagnosis and daily dose, in Korean or English. The permit covers up to a 90-day supply.
- 3.Pack the medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label attached. Loose pills in an unmarked container invite questions you do not want at the border.
- 4.On arrival, take the goods-to-declare channel and show the permit with the medication.
Questions
Why is Adderall unavailable in Korea?
Amphetamine has no approved product in the MFDS drug database, so Korean doctors cannot prescribe it. ADHD in Korea is treated with methylphenidate (Concerta, Penid) or atomoxetine. If your stay is longer than your approved supply, plan a switch with a Korean psychiatrist before your medication runs out.
How much Adderall can I bring with approval?
The MFDS self-treatment permit covers up to a 90-day supply. You can apply online at nedrug.mfds.go.kr (since December 2024) or by email at narcotics@korea.kr, and the result is issued within 10 business days.
Related medications
- Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse, Elvanse, Tyvense)
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- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
Verified 2026-08-23
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Travel preparation only, not medical or legal advice. Regulations change: confirm with the MFDS, Korea Customs Service, or a Korean embassy before traveling. We store no searches and no health data.