Can I bring Kalma to Korea?
Alprazolam · Xanax · Kalma
Required사전 승인 필요
Kalma (active ingredient: Alprazolam) requires prior approval from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) before you travel.
Korea lists alprazolam in annex 6 of the Narcotics Control Act enforcement decree, its schedule of psychotropic medicines in medical use. You need written MFDS approval before entering Korea with it, for any quantity. Alprazolam is heavily prescribed within Korea, under the same Xanax brand, so a Korean doctor can continue your treatment for longer stays.
How to apply for MFDS approval →How Korea classifies it
Under the Narcotics Control Act, Alprazolam is a psychotropic substance (향정신성의약품), listed in annex 6 of the enforcement decree, the schedule for psychotropic medicines in medical use with comparatively lower abuse risk. 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.
If you refill in Korea
Questions
Can I get Xanax prescribed in Korea?
Yes. Xanax is sold in Korea under the same brand name plus many generics, and per MFDS usage data reported to the National Assembly, alprazolam is the most used controlled medication ingredient in the country. A psychiatrist can prescribe it after a consultation; bring your records, since foreign prescriptions cannot be filled directly.
Do I need approval for a single strip of Xanax?
Yes. The MFDS permit requirement has no minimum quantity. Apply online at nedrug.mfds.go.kr or by email at narcotics@korea.kr at least 10 business days before travel.
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Verified 2026-08-23
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MedsToKorea is an independent site with no affiliation to the Korean government. 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.