Regulations for bringing personal medications into Singapore

Find out the requirements for bringing in personal medications when travelling to Singapore.

Bringing in personal medications

You may need to apply for an approval to bring in medications for yourself or family members' use.

Note: HSA cannot ensure the safety and efficacy of medications sold in other countries. We advise that you obtain them from reliable sources. You are responsible for the effects of the medications you bring into Singapore.

Transit in Singapore (without immigration clearance)

You do not need an approval from us for carrying personal medications if you are only transiting through Singapore without clearing the Singapore immigration. Do note that prohibited substances such as chewing gums, cannabis and product containing cannabis extracts, are NOT allowed to be brought with you even if you are not clearing immigration. Use our online tool to find out whether your medications contain any prohibited substances.

Requirements from other regulatory agencies

We do not regulate products used on animals, as well as those presented in the form of food and beverage, such as biscuits, cookies, coffee, juice. Refer to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) for all food-related regulations, and the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) for regulations on non-food related animal, plant and wildlife management services. 

All goods entering Singapore's borders are also regulated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Refer to their website for more information on these regulations.

Specific regulatory requirements

Medications

Medications

You may bring in common medications such as those for treatment of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and contraception, if the quantity is not more than 3 months' supply. No approval from us is required in such cases.

Unsure whether you need an approval?

Use our online tool to help you find out whether you need an approval from us to bring your personal medications into Singapore.   Let's go

 

You will need to submit your application for approval if you need to bring in more than 3 months' supply of any medications, or if you bring in the following medications:

Medications Situations that require approval
Codeine or dextromethorphan For tablets or capsules:
  • More than 20 tablets or capsules.
  • Codeine or dextromethorphan content in each tablet or capsule is more than 30mg.
For oral liquid preparation:
  • More than 240ml of the oral liquid preparation.
  • Codeine or dextromethorphan content in each 5ml of the preparation is more than 15mg.
Controlled drugs Medications that contain controlled drugs require an approval from us. Examples of controlled drugs include, but are not limited to:
  • Morphine
  • Fentanyl
  • Oxycodone
  • Buprenorphine
Ephedrine/Pseudoephedrine Medications that contain total ephedrine or pseudoephedrine content of more than 21.6g.
Psychotropic substances Medications that contain psychotropic substances require an approval from us. Examples of psychotropic substances include, but are not limited to:
  • Diazepam
  • Midazolam
  • Zolpidem

Each application will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis. Please ensure that you submit your application for approval at least 2 weeks before your expected arrival in Singapore.

Chewing gums

Chewing gums

All chewing gums, including those for medical or dental purposes, purchased overseas are not allowed to be brought into Singapore even if they have been prescribed by your doctor or dentist, or are identical to brands or strength available in Singapore. If you require nicotine chewing gums, you may buy it from pharmacies in Singapore.

Medical devices

Medical devices

Medical devices include but not limited to lubricating eye drops, needles, syringes, thermometers and blood pressure monitors.

You will need to  apply for an approval before bringing a medical device into Singapore for personal use.

This does not apply to devices which are already in use when you arrive in Singapore, such as implanted devices or those already in contact with your skin or eyes.

Each approval allows you to import a maximum quantity of 3 months' supply.

Refer to our guide for information on bringing personal medical devices into Singapore.

Prohibited substances and illegal health products

You are not allowed to bring in personal medications that contain prohibited substances. Use our online tool to find out whether your medications contain any of these substances.

In the course of our routine safety surveillance of products found in Singapore, we have identified several adulterated products that are listed in our Illegal Health Product Database . You are also not allowed to bring these products into Singapore.