CPAP & Meds
 

I am travelling to Japan for a few nights in early July. I have seen conflicting information on whether or not you can bring a CPAP machine and meds (losartan for High blood pressure) with you without bringing in a prescription (the meds will be in a prescription bottle from the pharmacy) or Yakkan Shoumei. Does anyone know for sure? If it is a hassle, I can do without for the few days I will be there, but I sleep so much better with the CPAP now that I am use to it.

The following is what I found from the Japanese Ministry of Health which seems that I am good without the Yakkan Shoumei. But the US Department of State and other information is contrary.

Below is what I found from the Ministry of Health:


To import medicines from overseas is subject to control by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and the Customs Law to prevent health hazard caused by defective products.


Therefore, when you enter into Japan, procedures should be done depending on your bringing medicines even if you have medicines for personal use.

1. Drugs, Quasi drugs


You can bring your personal medicines into Japan once certain procedures are completed. This is because there are patients who need continuous medication and travelers who need medicines as belongings, however, when you bring narcotics and psychotropic described in 4, please note that importing them from overseas is subject to control by other laws and rules.


To be more specific, when you bring your personal medicines into Japan, you have to apply for so called "Yakkan Shoumei", a kind of import certificate, and receive it before you leave home, and declare it to the officer at customs.


When you bring your personal medicines into Japan up to the amount described below, you do not have to apply for "Yakkan Shoumei", instead the officers at customs check the amount of your bringing medicines, and then you can bring them into Japan.


◆　Poison, Deadly poison, Prescription drug : Up to 1 month supply
◆　Drug for external use (excluding Poison, Deadly poison, Prescription drug) : Up to 24 per one item
◆　Injectable drug and Syringe for the drug: Up to 1 month supply
　　* Only "Pre-filled Syringe" or "Self-injection Kit"
◆　Other Drugs, Quasi drugs : Up to 2 month supply



Regardless of the description above, you cannot bring prohibited drugs and controlled drugs into Japan.

Regarding details about application for "Yakkan Shoumei", please check "Q&A for those who are bringing medicines into Japan", which includes application forms.


"Q&A for those who are bringing medicines into Japan": WORD(147KB) 　PDF(586KB)

2. Cosmetics


Basically, the procedures are the same as in the case of drugs and quasi drugs.


When you bring your personal cosmetics into Japan up to the amount described below, you do not have to apply for "Yakkan Shoumei", instead the officers at customs check the amount of your bringing cosmetics, and then you can bring them into Japan.


◆　Up to 24 per one item
　　(e.g. If you want to bring your lip sticks into Japan , you can have up to 24 regardless of brand or color)

3. Medical devices


Basically, the procedures are the same as in the case of drugs and quasi drugs.


When you bring your personal medical devices into Japan up to the amount described below, you do not have to apply for "Yakkan Shoumei", instead the officers at customs check the amount of your bringing devices, and then you can bring them into Japan.


◆　Medical device for household use (e.g. electric massaging tools): 1 set
◆　Disposable contact lens: Up to 2 month supply

Even officially, I highly doubt that you need to get any approval for stuff like losartan. Just keep them in your original prescription bottle and you should be fine. CPAP machine... I'm not so sure. If you're not certain after reading all the online info, then email your local Jpn consulate. If the consulate responds back saying don't worry about it, then print that out and take that with you to Jpn.

You're visiting for a few nights, which is less than one month, so according to the Japanese Ministry of Health, you don't require a yakkan shoumei for the prescription drugs. You're allowed one "set" of medical devices. Presumably that would allow a CPAP machine. This is assuming your medications are not prohibited in Japan.

However, you can be much more certain if you get this information from the Japanese consulate.

I use Losartan (sounds like a kaiju 怪獣) as well as about 12 more meds. Out of 20 visits to NRT, I was asked about my meds (in original bottles) once. And after I explained why, it was no problem.

I have entered Japan via NRT three times in the past 12 months with my CPAP in my carry-on without any issue.

Thanks for all of your help. I emailed the consulate and it is ok to bring CPAP and medications in original prescription bottles so long as not classified as a stimulant, narcotic or psychotropic.

Response from consulate is below:

Good morning COPLATSAT,

No, you should not need to fill out any forms for a CPAP machine. For the blood pressure medication I believe that you are free to bring in up to one month's worth of medicine without any forms. However, I would recommend you check with your doctor to ensure that your medication does fall into one of the three restricted classes of drugs: stimulant, narcotic, or psychotropic. If your doctor says that your medicine is one of the restricted kinds of drugs, please contact me again as you will need to fill out a Narcotics Form to be able to bring your medicine into Japan.

Best,

**************

Information and Cultural Affairs
Consulate-General of Japan in Houston

Okay, thanks for posting the consulate reply. That helps others.

Losartan is, of course, not one of those 3 categories of meds. So nothing to worry about.