johnxiaoying Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 My wife has purchased about $100 of Chinese medicines to bring to the USA with her. I'm afraid this could pose a problem going through customs. I would think many SO's would want to bring products with them that have relieved their ailments all their lives. I know that any medications which are prescription medications in the USA and manufactured in the USA cannot be brought into the USA, even if you have a prescription for it. I think it has to do with the Pharmaceutical lobby and whose pocket the money is going into. Has anyones SO brought OTC medications to the USA and encountered any problems? Link to comment
hlin Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 I brought some myself before and didn't have a problem. Customs is more concerned about fruits and meat. I don't think they care as much for medication. See if she can get a doctor's note, maybe that will help resolve any issues if they bring it up at Customs. Link to comment
nooneufo Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 My fiancé and I have discussed this with the same concerns including spices used for cooking. I asked her for a list, went to my local Chinese herbalist/acupuncturist and found everything on the list is available, or they can get for her their next trip to the nearby Chinatown when they go get their supplies. They had a large amount of cross reference books to check Pinyin , Chinese characters and English names.I did not want her to have a problem when she flies through customs. So now she will not worry about this. (Actually it is me who was worried). Link to comment
warpedbored Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 I brought back several on my first trip to China. My wife's cousin has a freind in New York who couldn't get some OTC stuff. I merely wrote down herbal medicing on my customs declaration and no questions were asked. Link to comment
awch Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 I've gone back and forth and in and out of many countries with various types of script drugs (remember I have migraines before anyone starts getting any funny ideas! ) and never had a problem. Link to comment
MRMC Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 I think the real problem is if the medicines you attempted to bring in were not herbs. I am not sure if China sells controlled substances such as opiates over the counter. If any of the over-the-counter drugs are opiates they could not be imported and you probably would be arrested. I would think if they are just herbs that should be ok. I would contact Customs or the FDA and ask them in writing. Link to comment
ndjarrett Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 We probably had 1/3 of a suitcase full of that crap...LOL We had no problems with customs. Link to comment
mlspyl Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 John: I agree with all of the previous posts. I have been to China four times last year. Each time I brought Chinese medicine and supplements back. Never had a problem at US Customs. However, I made sure that I declared it on the form. I stated Chinese traditional medicine Mark Link to comment
tonymasiello Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 No problem here also. Quan brought in quite a lot of OTC medicine. I declared it on the customs form and it was not questioned. Link to comment
frank1538 Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 No problem here also. Quan brought in quite a lot of OTC medicine. I declared it on the customs form and it was not questioned.Jingwen did the same with her stash of Chinese remedies. We declared the items and that was that. Link to comment
Trigg Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Fang Ling just had a four Kilo package of Chinese herbs/medicine shipped from China. no problem getting here but to me it looked like lawn and street sweepings--taste like it too. OH, by the way, all opiats and there derivitives are banned in China.-Go figure Link to comment
lassetter Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Song has me bring back all sorts of medicines to the USA ( for when she arrives). I can never get a clear answer from Song as to what the medicine are, or what they do. It is probably best I don't know. Song can be quite secretive! These items appear in my suitcase at the last moment! Anyway, if Customs ever asks me about these medicines I plan to call them "tea". That is what I write on the Customs Slip. One of the advantages of looking stupid and confused, as well as tired and unshaven, is that the Customs officials ignore me! Rupert Link to comment
Kaige Posted January 14, 2005 Report Share Posted January 14, 2005 We had no problems bringing in medicine or spices, make sure there sealed buy the manufacturer, also got a package of dried peppers in the mail with no problem, beer no problem , just make sure you have room Link to comment
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