Travel question

Options
rthornton
rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Now that I'm starting my eight week Erbitux break and the semester is almost over, I'm taking a little trip in May/June. I decided to take some of my beloved multivitamins, fiber supplements, and fish oil with me. Well, to save precious packing space and weight, I took the pills out of the bottles and put them in ziplock bags, tossed the bottles, then realized ... hmmm, that might be a problem. Would an airport security guy or a customs agent search my luggage and see ziplock bags full of pills, and the next thing I know I'm in a damp, cold Croatian prison? I've never travelled with my own apothecary of nutritional supplements in ziplock bags. Maybe it's nothing at all to be concerned with, but I REALLY don't want to have any problems on this trip!

Does anyone have experience travelling abroad with ziplock bags of pills? (just the sound of that question almost makes me laugh)

Comments

  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #2
    Options
    Hello,
    I don't have any experience traveling abroad with ziplock bags of pills, but I do have a lot of experience traveling abroad. There is a lot of nuisance with checking everything, scrutinizing everything, suspecting everybody, etc. I would not do it if I were you. I would leave them in bottles. Also, not only for the security pass, but also for your own piece of mind, so that you know what is what. Have a good trip! Enjoy!
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #3
    Options
    AuthorUnknown said:

    Hello,
    I don't have any experience traveling abroad with ziplock bags of pills, but I do have a lot of experience traveling abroad. There is a lot of nuisance with checking everything, scrutinizing everything, suspecting everybody, etc. I would not do it if I were you. I would leave them in bottles. Also, not only for the security pass, but also for your own piece of mind, so that you know what is what. Have a good trip! Enjoy!

    Rodney...we have just been thru all this for our trip. My impressions after searching customs sites and speaking to customs/airline staff is;
    That ALL medication/natural remedies/packaged food etc. MUST be in the original containers for ease of customs/quarantine checking. I was told that ANYTHING not in original containers WILL be subject to further scrutiny and would almost certainly cause delays going thru security/customs. I was told that one would be wise to only use original "unbroken" original sealed containers. Also it is not recommended to put these items in "checked baggage" but put them on your person as in your "carry on baggage".
    as FOR MEDICATIONS;
    Personally I need to carry an EPIPEN(Epinephrine/adrenalin) because I am highly allergic to wasps and bees. I had to have the pen in its original box with the pharmacy/dispensery label showing as well as a cover note from my doctor.
    I was told the pen should be carried my person/carry on (it is anyway) with cover note handy.
    So my impression of ziplock bags with any medication, natural or otherwise...or natural foodstuffs would definately cause a problem...mostly from the "time" factor checking it and also that some things may not be allowed in other countries.
    I went thru quite a time searching USA customs for what can/cannot be carried...and how. I suggest you do the same Rodney to save you any grief mate.
    cheers, Ross and Jen
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #4
    Options
    kangatoo said:

    Rodney...we have just been thru all this for our trip. My impressions after searching customs sites and speaking to customs/airline staff is;
    That ALL medication/natural remedies/packaged food etc. MUST be in the original containers for ease of customs/quarantine checking. I was told that ANYTHING not in original containers WILL be subject to further scrutiny and would almost certainly cause delays going thru security/customs. I was told that one would be wise to only use original "unbroken" original sealed containers. Also it is not recommended to put these items in "checked baggage" but put them on your person as in your "carry on baggage".
    as FOR MEDICATIONS;
    Personally I need to carry an EPIPEN(Epinephrine/adrenalin) because I am highly allergic to wasps and bees. I had to have the pen in its original box with the pharmacy/dispensery label showing as well as a cover note from my doctor.
    I was told the pen should be carried my person/carry on (it is anyway) with cover note handy.
    So my impression of ziplock bags with any medication, natural or otherwise...or natural foodstuffs would definately cause a problem...mostly from the "time" factor checking it and also that some things may not be allowed in other countries.
    I went thru quite a time searching USA customs for what can/cannot be carried...and how. I suggest you do the same Rodney to save you any grief mate.
    cheers, Ross and Jen

    dunno about international travel, but I have carried tons of supplements loose in pill boxes-(you know, MTWThFSS boxes..and in zip locks -no problem. You might want to keep the controlled substances in thier original
    Rx bottles, but even these have never been searched. Bud
  • JoyceCanada
    JoyceCanada Member Posts: 134
    #5
    Options
    nanuk said:

    dunno about international travel, but I have carried tons of supplements loose in pill boxes-(you know, MTWThFSS boxes..and in zip locks -no problem. You might want to keep the controlled substances in thier original
    Rx bottles, but even these have never been searched. Bud

    I've travelled and always make sure that all meds are in their original bottles. I keep them in my carry on and have been asked many times by customs officials to "what are the pills for".... I've even had a jar or ointment opened I didn't have the nerve to tell him "it is for my hemmeroids"... said it was "face cream" Hubby almost burst out laughing!!
  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    #6
    Options
    JoyceCanada said:

    I've travelled and always make sure that all meds are in their original bottles. I keep them in my carry on and have been asked many times by customs officials to "what are the pills for".... I've even had a jar or ointment opened I didn't have the nerve to tell him "it is for my hemmeroids"... said it was "face cream" Hubby almost burst out laughing!!

    Thanks for all of the opinions. I already got some more of my suppluments and will leave them in the bottles. Really, all I'm taking is multivitamins and fiber caplets. But since this IS me we're talking about, if I go with ziplock bags then I will somehow end up getting into trouble.

    Thank you!
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #7
    Options
    rthornton said:

    Thanks for all of the opinions. I already got some more of my suppluments and will leave them in the bottles. Really, all I'm taking is multivitamins and fiber caplets. But since this IS me we're talking about, if I go with ziplock bags then I will somehow end up getting into trouble.

    Thank you!

    Just keep that green leafy substance you use to combat nausea out of your suitcase!

    Cheers

    - SB
  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    #8
    Options
    spongebob said:

    Just keep that green leafy substance you use to combat nausea out of your suitcase!

    Cheers

    - SB

    I tried that supplement once, and only once, because I was told it might help with my out-of-control chemotherapy diarrhea. It was Halloween night last year, and after zero kids knocked on my door there was a LOT of leftover Halloween candy. I could not stop eating the candy that night and the next day my diarrhea was ten times worse. I felt horrible!
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #9
    Options
    Hi Rodney,
    Probably best to keep them in the original bottles. But, I have been known to put pills into ziplock bags and then to rip the label off the bottle (or soak it off, if necessary) and stick that label into the ziplock bag (for example, if you are concerned about excess weight or bulk in your luggage while travelling). That way, while you are being strip-searched and held in custody, the customs people will know where to start their lab tests ha ha.

    Hey: I am still hoping to meet up with you in Croatia! I haven't finalized my itinerary yet, but will let you know as soon as I have. Will you have email/internet access while travelling?
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #10
    Options
    You druggie! Sure, "they're just vitamins.. I have cancer" Yea right!

    Just kidding! Have a fabulous trip!!! I am soo glad you are doing this. So important to live your life and not let cancer change it too much. Carpe diem!

    Make sure to take lots of pictures and update us when you return.

    jana
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #11
    Options
    jana11 said:

    You druggie! Sure, "they're just vitamins.. I have cancer" Yea right!

    Just kidding! Have a fabulous trip!!! I am soo glad you are doing this. So important to live your life and not let cancer change it too much. Carpe diem!

    Make sure to take lots of pictures and update us when you return.

    jana

    I just remembered - I went to Italy via France last year and had to bring Lovenox - an injectable med to thin the blood. I keep them in their original box and had a friend right me a doc note. No one questioned it or asked anything... maybe all the drugs are OK. BUT - better safe than sorry, especially when traveling international. You never know if you will meet up with an anti-American type border person.
    jana

Discussion Boards