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Traveling with medication can be challenging, especially if you need to arrive at your destination by air. TSA standards must be followed when receiving your medications, and some materials—such as liquids and powders—may require further inspection.
It is also important to store your medications properly to avoid misplacing or losing them. Keeping all of your medications in their original containers and together, such as in a zipper bag, is a great way to avoid problems. It’s easy to remember what you brought and how to take it when it’s in the original package.
It may also be necessary to keep the medicine in its original container or bottle to avoid inspection by airport security personnel. The TSA technically does not require passengers to carry medications in prescription bottles or in their original packaging, according to their website. Before you prepare for your next vacation, there’s one important thing you should know: States in the United States have different laws.
Going through TSA screening with unmarked medicine bottles can be somewhat uncomfortable. Safety personnel are concerned about the lack of a label, even if the prescription is valid. This can cause unnecessary stress and disruption to travel plans, leading to lengthy inspections, possible delays or even confiscation. To avoid such situations it is important to ensure that all medications are properly labeled with prescription information. This guarantees peace of mind during your journey and speeds up security checks.
Read more: 18 Best Ways To Help You Get Through Airport Security Faster
Some Destinations Don’t Allow Unmarked Medicines
If you keep all your medications in an unlabeled baggie or easy-to-use pill dispenser, you may run into problems while flying. Although the TSA says this type of packaging is acceptable, some states in the union have different views on carrying unmarked drugs, and airport security personnel will expect visitors to follow local regulations. For example, some states (Texas, Georgia, Missouri, Louisiana, and others) mandate that travelers keep any prohibited drugs (including some prescription drugs) in the original, labeled bottles of the pharmacy. This means that the state you are visiting may have rules about carrying drugs, even if your own state does not. Keep your medicine in the container it came in for safety.
This little tip becomes more important when traveling abroad. Some common medications, including over-the-counter treatments, are prohibited in other countries. Having original labels on your luggage makes it easier for airport officials to decide which drugs to confiscate and which to pass through. Security staff won’t know if your prescription isn’t violating any laws if the packaging isn’t properly labeled, even if you’re sure it is.
What Happens If You Don’t Fly With The Original Packaging?
Prescription medication should be kept in its original container, and if you do need to take it, make sure it’s on your passport and other travel documents as your name is on the label to avoid a stressful experience in the TSA screening line. Ask your doctor to write down the purpose of each medication so you can feel more confident.
If you ignore these guidelines, your prescription may be impounded and additional delays may prevent you from making your trip if they require further investigation before being granted. If you fail to produce the required documents, you could potentially be fined or detained at your destination for carrying a prescription that is believed to be a prohibited drug.
Remind yourself that even if your medications are stored in their original containers, you are not exempt from responsibility. When traveling abroad, visit the official embassy website to make sure your medications won’t get you into trouble while you’re away. Whether the substance is labeled or not, carrying it on a plane can land you in a foreign prison for years.
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