Hi everyone!
I have a layover in Japan on my way to Malaysia. I have prescriptions (ADHD meds) that are illegal in Japan. I know there is a website where you can register your medications in advance, but it says that you cannot bring in amphetamines regardless of the form.
My question is, if I am staying in the airport, do I have to go through customs/security? Or do I only have to when leaving the airport and coming back? My layover is long and I’d like to get out of the airport if possible to explore a little. My idea was to lock my stuff in a locker and then come back in and get it, but if I have to go through customs/security once getting off the plane then my plan is not going to work.
Does anyone have any advice or knowledge on when you go through customs/security? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
3 comments
If you are entering Japan, you must go through immigrations and customs with your carry-on baggage. There is no way to store the baggage you have on you airside and then return to it later. There is basically nothing between getting off the plane and reaching immigration/customs except empty hallways and bathrooms, and it is not the part of the airport you return to for boarding later.
If your medication is in your checked baggage, and that baggage has been checked through to your final destination, then you do not need to pick it up or bring it through customs.
If you remain airside in the airport the whole time (i.e., you do not enter Japan and instead go directly to your next boarding gate), it’s fine to have your medication on you.
Do not try to bring anything into Japan that is illegal.
They are hardcore.
You have to submit paperwork to the government and wait for permission to enter, ADHD meds are almost always a flat no.
For whatever reason, Japan is ultra hardcore about stimulants. You can go with opiates (with permission) but forget it if you are trying amphetamine.
If you try to sneak it and get caught, expect to go to jail, possibly for a long time, and be permanently banned from entry.
Completely not worth it.
even when you try to stay at the airport its possible you have to go through customs to get to the next flight, or at least through security. you can ask the airline if they have information on that, and maybe also the airport.
unfortunately, there is no guarantee that just because you intent to not leave the airport and fly again a few hours later you can expect to not have anybody potentially find meds on you. unless you KNOW you will be going from gate to gate and nothing in between.
even then there is the risk of plans changing and you being forced to go through security. in this instance, you can expect to be able to throw away the meds.
(I am not sure if this is legal or a grey area. but even if it is a grey area, it beats being illegal. wont solve your but-i-need-meds issue)
**( I am also not sure if the meds would be an issue if you did not “enter japan” but the meds would still be checked by security when you go from gate to gate through security. I think there is a possibility that this may be okay for them. I think since you do not “get a visa” and nobody is asking you the legal questions you get asked at customs, the medicine MIGHT BE okay at that point)
**
you can put some medication into the checked luggage. when boarding (starting the trip) make sure they will have the luggage go directly to Malaysia and you do not have to check it again in japan. If they tell you you will have to check it in japan again, take the medicine out before checking.
also this is an indication you will have to go through customs there
if you can check the luggage with medicine. then all you need to do is to hope it wont be lost. even if it would get stuck in japan, have the airline deliver it to Malaysia (or back home if it takes thaaat long). I dont think there is a lot of risk there. you did not receive the luggage in japan,and you have paper work showing that you did not attempt to do so, so even if they were to find meds, I dont forsee too many issues
you can try to get the papers (official paper allowing you to have the meds) in order. maybe you can explain that you will be possibly entering the country for a layover if it can not be avoided and your request is just you being paranoid in a way and you dont really wanna enter japan with your meds. that MAY incline them to be more open.
another possibility would be to ask your doc if you can switch to another medication, one that is legal in japan and take that with you. (Concerta and Strattera)
[and make sure I dont talk shit or stuff changed and inform yourself before importing those]
and of course you could mail your medication directly to Malaysia.
maybe if you “hope you can go gate-to-gate” or “check the luggage” you can as a backup plan also mail the medicine
I am not an expert. confirm any plan you make with a secondary source.