Can I bring Modafinil to Korea?
Modafinil · Provigil
Modafinil can be brought into Korea for personal use. Korean customs treats up to six bottles or a three-month supply as personal use.
Modafinil is not a controlled substance in Korea. It appears in no annex of the Narcotics Control Act enforcement decree, and the MFDS drug database lists Provigil as a regular prescription medicine. Bring it with your prescription or a doctor's letter; Korean customs treats up to six bottles or a three-month supply as personal use.
At the airport
No permit is needed. Keep the medication in its original packaging, and carry the prescription or a doctor's note if your quantity is near the customs line of six bottles or a three-month supply. Amounts above that line should be declared on arrival.
Questions
Do I need MFDS narcotics approval for modafinil?
No. The self-treatment permit applies only to narcotics and psychotropic substances, and modafinil is neither under Korean law. Carry your prescription to show at customs if asked.
Can I get modafinil prescribed in Korea?
Yes, but narrowly. Provigil has been approved in Korea since 2002 and generics exist, but doctors there prescribe it mainly for diagnosed narcolepsy, so a refill without that diagnosis is hard to get.
Related medications
- Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
- Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) (Tylenol, Panadol)
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nurofen)
- Loratadine (Claritin, Clarityn)
- Tramadol (Ultram, ConZip, Ultracet)
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, ZzzQuil, Unisom SleepGels)
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.