The current ICE (Formerly U.S. Customs Enforcement) interpretation of the laws and regulations is this:

1) You may import 90 days worth of non-scheduled substances, but only 50 pills of scheduled substances.

2) You must import them in person, or have someone with a valid power of attorney importing them across the border for you and they MUST BE DECLARED AT CROSSING. Mail or UPS doesn't count.

3) Importation of scheduled or controlled substances via shipping or mailing requires a drug importation license issued by DEA and reviewed by FDA.

4) If you order from Canada, Ireland, England, or New Zealand they will over look the above listed rules if you have a U.S. doctor's prescription, and don't order a medication higher than C-IV. Be prepared for a possible seizure notice by having your original prescription ready so you can send a copy of it to them.

These are their operating guidelines, but enforcement of the above is discretionary and spuratic. Much like driving 80 mph in a 65 mph. They don't have the manpower or the luck to catch everyone, even when caught they still have to decided to act. The only danger is that every once in a while they decide to make an example out of someone and file all of the applicable charges (THIS IS RARE). Bottom line is it is like playing the lottery in reverse. There is a tiny chance that you hit the big one and are sent to federal prison or given hefty fines, but 99.999% of us will never hit the lottery!

If you have a valid U.S. prescription for the meds then you should consider calling the officer (usually a paralegal) who sent the letter and talk to them. You will find that many are decent hard-working folks like us and will give you good advice.

Final option; There are many places where uninsured persons can get FREE medication, no strings attached. Your local Catholic charities is a good example, also

http://www.helpingpatients.org
http://www.freemedicineprogram.com/ (this site is awesome)

Good luck

Pig