Hey guys,

I want to come to Cambodia in December. It would be my first time there. I am done with all the planning, except for one thing, and would love to book the flight ASAP. But I have encountered a problem. And after hours and hours of reading and researching I registered here in order to ask you guys a question. And because it turned out very long, i wrote a TLDR at the bottom for those not inclined to read it all.

I depend on various prescribtion medications, that are all legally prescribed to me for medical purpouses here in Europe. I would nessecarily need to take those meds with me into Cambodia, in order to make the trip. The specific meds are Morphine tablets, Oxazepam and Gabapentin (8 to 9 packs in total).

Cambodia has strickt laws when it comes to "drug trafficking" and I don´t want to be turned away at the airport or even sent to prison, because I wasn´t able to find out what the rules are regarding bringing such meds into Cambodia. Many other countries provide easily accessible and clear information regarding this topic online. But regarding Cambodia I can only find conflicting information on non governmental sites and no clear or understandable information on government sites.
Some sources say that a doctor´s letter in english is enough. Others claim it needs to be in french. Others hint that some drugs(meds) are just prohibited/impossible to legally import. Which probably is , because nearly all countries have lists like that, but they also have ways to import those narcotics/psychotropics/meds for personal use.
Probably the best and most knowledgable site says:
"Travellers must carry with them a letter in French from their home prescriber which clearly supports their need for the medication. Furthermore, it is necessary to state
identification details, the total quantity of methadone and the dates of arrival in and departure from Cambodia." And sites the Ministry of Health as their contact.

What goes for Methadone also goes for Morphine. I would love to trust that info. But all of these sites claim that they cannot guarantee their infos to be fully correct. And they all say to contact the cambodian embassy for definitive information. Yet, the same sites say that often the embassies either don´t care or simply don´t know. This has also been my experience. After writing the embassy about bringing meds in general, they replied that I should get documents from the foreign ministry of my country and bring them to the embassy(over 1100km away!) for legalisation. Which doesn´t make sense on so many levels that I did not bother writing a second email after that.

Does anyone have first hand expirience with bringing prescribtion meds into Cambodia? Have you done that yourselves?
Does anyone know which rules or laws apply, what I have to do to legally bring my meds with me for personal use?
Do I have to seek permission from any specific authority? If so, how would I do that?
Or is it enough to leave the meds in their original packaging, have copies of the prescribtions and a doctors letter outlining that they are for medical purpouses and personal use?
Does customs at PP airport look at meds? Do you know anyone who ever got in trouble for something similar?

Because I have, probably the only possible, doctor´s appointment to write the prescribtions, the doc´s letter and have the doc fill out a form for international travel with such meds on Nov 2nd, I don´t have a lot of time.

TLDR: How do i bring my prescribtion meds into cambodia? Tipps? Experiences? Links? HELP PLEASE! THANK YOU!

Any and all answers are greatly appreciated and could really help me.
Thank you very much!

My guess: With original labelled bottles and prescriptions AND a letter I seriously doubt that there would ever be a problem if the quantities are no more than a normal person would receive for say 3 months personal use.

Many drugs are much easier to obtain here over the counter than elsewhere.

In ALL my arrivals I have never once been stopped and asked about the contents of my bags let alone searched.

I’d say you’re good.

As a slight sideline suggestion to the OP, is there is any risk of an escalation of the existing condition requiring these meds that might require emergency or in/outpatient treatment here? If yes, then be warned that if the treatment you need is in any way specialised then you may have problems, especially outside of Phnom Penh. Whatever treatment is available, you won't get any until you have paid in advance or satisfied the treatment provider that they will get paid through your insurance.

From the original post, you seem to have looked into this, so apologies if to you I'm stating the obvious, but best to be warned

I always bring my belgian medication for several months to,cambodia, knever been asked about it,
and you can find as good as everything in cambodia without presciption.
Its useally more expensive as we get it in belgium if you have a prescription, but still affordable !!

P.S. Coke is not a legal prescripted drug in Cambodia !!

Username Taken wrote: ↑Mon Oct 24, 2022 7:52 am I would suggest the OP also look at the requirements in transit countries as well. Middle Eastern countries and some S.E.Asian countries have some strict rules even for prescription medicines.

Thank you. I am aware. The only stop would be Bangkok. The process for Thailand is easy and straight forward. The Thai FDA has a list explaining that only original packaging and copies of the prescribtions are needed. Except for Morphine. For that I have to request a permit for. Which one can do , with one click, on a government site. Those requests are usually granted within a few days. Then I´m good to go.

A friend who came to see me in Cambodia takes morphine daily - brought the drugs in the original packaging and copies of the doctor's prescription - there was no problem.
And no, have never heard of Cambodian customs going through your medications on arrival, but other countries do.