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Benzodiazepines

DEA Schedule IV

Anti-anxiety & sleep medicines — controlled in most countries.

Overview

Benzodiazepines are Schedule IV controlled substances in the United States and are controlled in most countries. They are generally permitted for personal use with a valid prescription, but some destinations (e.g. the UAE) require advance approval for stronger benzodiazepines, and quantity limits or certificates may apply for longer trips.

Xanax (alprazolam)Valium (diazepam)Klonopin (clonazepam)Ativan (lorazepam)

Travel guidance

Carry a valid prescription and keep the medicine in its original labeled container.
Schengen countries: obtain a Schengen certificate for trips up to 30 days.
The UAE and some Gulf states require prior approval for strong benzodiazepines — check before travel.
Japan permits up to about a one-month supply; more requires a Yakkan Shoumei certificate.

Documentation to carry

Original labeled container
Copy of the prescription
Schengen certificate (EU) or import approval where required

Common, costly mistakes

Bringing a large multi-month supply without documentation.
Assuming sleep aids are unregulated — most are controlled.

Legal status by country

🇮🇳IndiaRestricted 🇦🇪United Arab EmiratesRestricted 🇦🇺AustraliaPrescription required 🇧🇸BahamasPrescription required 🇨🇦CanadaPrescription required 🇩🇴Dominican RepublicPrescription required 🇫🇷FrancePrescription required 🇩🇪GermanyPrescription required 🇬🇷GreecePrescription required 🇭🇰Hong KongPrescription required 🇮🇪IrelandPrescription required 🇮🇹ItalyPrescription required 🇯🇲JamaicaPrescription required 🇯🇵JapanPrescription required 🇲🇽MexicoPrescription required 🇳🇱NetherlandsPrescription required 🗽New York CityPrescription required 🇳🇿New ZealandPrescription required 🇵🇹PortugalPrescription required 🇸🇬SingaporePrescription required 🇰🇷South KoreaPrescription required 🇪🇸SpainPrescription required 🇸🇪SwedenPrescription required 🇨🇭SwitzerlandPrescription required 🇹🇭ThailandPrescription required 🇹🇷TurkeyPrescription required 🇬🇧United KingdomPrescription required 🇺🇸United StatesPrescription required

Legal status by U.S. state

Federal scheduling applies nationwide; cannabis and CBD vary by state.

AlabamaPrescription required AlaskaPrescription required ArizonaPrescription required ArkansasPrescription required CaliforniaPrescription required ColoradoPrescription required ConnecticutPrescription required DelawarePrescription required FloridaPrescription required GeorgiaPrescription required HawaiiPrescription required IdahoPrescription required IllinoisPrescription required IndianaPrescription required IowaPrescription required KansasPrescription required KentuckyPrescription required LouisianaPrescription required MainePrescription required MarylandPrescription required MassachusettsPrescription required MichiganPrescription required MinnesotaPrescription required MississippiPrescription required MissouriPrescription required MontanaPrescription required NebraskaPrescription required NevadaPrescription required New HampshirePrescription required New JerseyPrescription required New MexicoPrescription required New YorkPrescription required North CarolinaPrescription required North DakotaPrescription required OhioPrescription required OklahomaPrescription required OregonPrescription required PennsylvaniaPrescription required Rhode IslandPrescription required South CarolinaPrescription required South DakotaPrescription required TennesseePrescription required TexasPrescription required UtahPrescription required VermontPrescription required VirginiaPrescription required WashingtonPrescription required West VirginiaPrescription required WisconsinPrescription required WyomingPrescription required

Legal status indicators

LegalMedical onlyPrescription requiredRestrictedIllegalSevere penaltiesVerifyVerify

Official sources

DEA — Drug Scheduling

Drug laws change and enforcement varies by port of entry. This is general guidance, not legal advice — always verify with the destination's embassy or health authority before travel.

Traveling with Benzodiazepines?

Run the free Know Before You Go assessment for a destination-specific risk summary and a documentation checklist.

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