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Medications — South Korea

What travelers need to know about medications in South Korea. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.

Short answer

Medications in South Korea: restricted — there are real limits travelers must follow.

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RESTRICTED

Narcotics, amphetamines, and opioids need written pre-approval from Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (K-MFDS), and even poppy seeds — including bagel seasoning blends — are illegal to bring into South Korea.

Criminal charges for banned meds or poppy seeds

§ U.S. Department of State — South Korea

Verified Jul 3, 2026

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LawLert is an independent app and is not affiliated with any government. It summarizes laws from official government and U.S. State Department sources for general information only. This is not legal advice, and laws change. Always confirm with official sources and local authorities before you travel.