Doctor's Letter For Travelling With Medication
Carrying prescription medication through customs without the right documentation can cause unnecessary delays. A signed letter from a GMC registered UK GP confirms the medical necessity of your medication at border control.
Each letter follows a clinical review by a licensed UK doctor, giving customs and security a credible document confirming your prescription is legitimate.
✔ Issued by a GMC registered UK GP following clinical review
✔ Suitable for airport security, customs, and international travel
✔ Most requests reviewed same day, from £39
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How It Works
Complete a short online questionnaire
No appointment required. Complete a short medical questionnaire and upload any supporting evidence.
Doctor reviews your evidence
A GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission individually. No automated approvals.
✔ Full refund if the GP cannot issue.
Receive your certificate
Certificates arrive most same day, all by 9AM next morning, delivered as a signed PDF direct to your inbox.
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Doctor’s Letter for Travelling with Medication
A doctor’s letter for travelling with medication is a document from a GMC-registered UK doctor confirming you have been lawfully prescribed a medication, listing the dose and supply quantity, and explaining why you need to carry it during travel. It is required at international borders and customs for controlled drugs, and strongly recommended for all prescription medications on international trips — particularly to countries with strict customs rules or medication import restrictions.
The UK Home Office recommends — and in many cases border agencies expect — this documentation for any controlled drug when entering or leaving the UK. A MedicalCert medication travel letter can cover your full medication list in a single document, issued the same day.
When Do You Need a Medication Travel Letter?
Controlled drugs (Schedule 2–4)
The Home Office recommends carrying a doctor’s letter for any controlled drug when entering or leaving the UK. This includes opioids (morphine, oxycodone, codeine), benzodiazepines, methylphenidate, tramadol, pregabalin, and others listed under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.
Injectables and medical devices
Insulin, anticoagulant injections, EpiPens, insulin pumps, and other injectables require a letter for airport security. Liquid medications over 100ml carried in hand luggage also require supporting documentation.
Large supply quantities
Carrying more than 30 days of supply draws customs attention. Up to a 3-month supply of controlled drugs may be carried without a Home Office personal export licence, but a doctor’s letter confirming the supply is consistent with the treatment plan is strongly advised.
Restricted medications at destination
Medications freely available in the UK may be controlled or banned abroad. Codeine, tramadol, certain antihistamines, and CBD products are restricted in numerous countries. Always check with the destination country’s embassy — a doctor’s letter does not override destination country law.
Long-term conditions on regular medication
For travellers managing chronic conditions — diabetes, epilepsy, COPD, heart disease — a letter listing current medications provides essential backup if medication is lost, confiscated, or if emergency treatment is needed abroad.
Unlabelled or repackaged medications
Medications should always be carried in original labelled containers. If packaging is missing or if international brand names differ from UK equivalents, a doctor’s letter provides verification that the supply is legitimately prescribed.
Controlled Drugs: What UK Law Requires
Home Office guidance for travellers carrying controlled drugs
The UK Home Office recommends — though does not legally require for trips under 3 months — that all travellers carrying controlled drugs hold a doctor’s letter. The letter must include your name, dates of travel, destination, medication name and dose, and the total quantity carried. It must be evident you are not carrying more than a 3-month supply.
Medicines containing controlled drugs must have been lawfully prescribed and dispensed, and must be carried on your person when entering or leaving the UK. Medicines cannot be posted to you from overseas.
Travelling for more than 3 months?
If you will be abroad for longer than 3 months or are carrying more than a 3-month supply of a controlled drug, you must apply to the Home Office Drugs Licensing and Compliance Unit for a personal export licence. This is free but must be applied for at least 14 days before departure. A doctor’s letter from this service can support that application.
Medications Commonly Covered
The following categories most frequently require a travel letter. If you are unsure whether your medication is covered, include it in your consultation and the doctor will advise:
What Your Medication Travel Letter Includes
Letter contents
- ✔Your full name, date of birth, and address
- ✔Travel dates and destination country
- ✔Full medication list — generic and brand name, dose, frequency, total quantity
- ✔Brief clinical reason why the medication has been prescribed
- ✔Confirmation the medication has been lawfully prescribed
- ✔GMC registration number of the signing doctor
- ✔Unique QR code for customs or border verification
Carry the letter in your hand luggage alongside original packaging and dispensing labels. It is your responsibility to verify the legal status of your medications at your destination — a UK doctor’s letter confirms the UK prescription is legitimate but does not grant permission to import substances banned in countries where they are restricted.
How to Get Your Medication Travel Letter
Complete the online consultation form
List all medications you are travelling with including dose, frequency, and total quantity. Provide your travel dates and destinations. Upload a copy of your current prescription, dispensing labels, or GP medication summary.
GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission
The doctor confirms the medications listed against the clinical information provided. If further clarification is needed, the doctor may contact you before issuing.
Letter delivered same day
Your signed medication travel letter arrives in your inbox same day (submit before 9pm) or by 9am next morning. Print a copy to carry in your hand luggage alongside original medication packaging.
Travelling with Medication FAQs
Clinically Reviewed By
Dr Maria Knobel
Medical Director, Nobel Medical LLC
GMC Registration
► 7495073 – View on GMC register