I’m planning a week trip to South Korea to surprise my sister for her birthday, but she is on quite a few tablets which I’m sure are on the ‘narcotics’ list! I’ve had a look at their websites and have also sent [email protected] emails but haven’t heard back and it’s been over a month, so I’m wondering if anyone could help? Would be so grateful! Here’s the list:

Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Gabapentin, Nortrypteline ,Escitelopram (lexipro)

So ... you are planning to carry those drugs with you?

I don't the answer, but I'd urge you to contact the Korean embassy in your country. Make sure you have whatever documents you need to take them into South Korea. And if you are planning to carry them, make sure you have whatever documentation is required for you to take them out of your country.

I certainly wouldn't trust anything that some anonymous person on a website says.

Thank you for your advice! I’ll definitely contact the embassy! And I’m not trusting anyone with an answer, just wanted some advice! Appreciate it

None of these are narcotics. None of these are used to treat pain in any way whatsoever. They are very common prescriptions for anxiety, bipolar, depression, and control of epileptic seizures, a common side effect of the other medicines. People travel with these all the time. Though I have to admit, it's quite the cocktail! You have nothing to worry about.

You didn't answer the question that kja asked. Your sister lives there and needs the drugs? Why would it be necessary for you to carry them? Either she brought some in, can get the stuff locally, or doesn't need them (or has alternatives).

In addition to the Korean consulate, you could contact your country's consulate in SK. Better yet, you could get the info from a .kr government website.

A surprise visit is probably a bad idea, imo. If she knew you were coming, then she could enjoy the anticipation and can prepare and be there and be available.

Lorazepam is listed as a "strictly restricted" psychotropic drug on the last page of this pdf: 문서뷰어

I would think that "restricted" is different from "banned".

Find more info: Bringing medicines into Korea by travel 상세보기|Notice | Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Denmark

My bad, I didn’t specify properly in my post that we both live together lol sorry! I’m surprising her with a trip for her birthday. We are both going to go over, but this is the list of meds that she is on, and I wanted to sort it for her before we surprise her.

im new on this website and need to figure out how to edit my post! But I will thanks for your advice

The pdf I linked says Lorazepam and other psychotropic drugs "cannot be brought in".

Welcome! And thanks for clarifying.

You can only edit your posts for about 30 minutes after submitting them. After that, you need to add a new post if you want to clarify something. Or, depending on the circumstances, you can click on the orange triangle, which will give you a screen you can use to reach a moderator to ask for help.

Brilliant, thank you and thank you everyone for your answers. I now know the next step I need to take

The next paragraph says that "if you bring an excessive amount..." I understand that to mean it's ok for your own personal use.

These medicines are tremendously prevalent, and if you couldn't bring in your own medication, we would hear about arrests on a regular basis for Americans traveling to Korea.

If the OP wants to "sort it out" before surprising a person who needs these meds, I'd think seriously about what surprise, exactly, is on the agenda.

As mrwunrfl and I have suggested, please check with the embassies or consultates in both South Korea AND in your home country -- be sure you know what is needed at both ends of your journey, going and coming. JMO.