rety
Stranger
Reged: 02/04/03
Posts: 8
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I have lived in france for the past 6 months, and while I have been here i was prescribed Valium for Anxiety.
I leave tomorrow to return to the U.S. and would like to bring what I currently have left (about 2 boxes containing 30 10mg tablets each), because it is very expensive in the U.S.
Do I have any risk when fying back in to the U.S. of something happening? I have a legitimate prescription for my Dr. here, but if customs sees the boxes of valium can I get in trouble?
Unfortunately they come in Boxes here...script bottles are not used.
I was thinking of just stapling my prescription to one of the boxes and packing them in my suitcase.
Or I was thinking of just bringing an empty box with me, and trying to get a Dr. in the states to write me a script.
Any advice is GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks,
Rety
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Jeremiah
Agape GrandParent
Reged: 07/14/02
Posts: 705
Loc: U.S.A.
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Hi Rety!
This is just my opinion,make a copy of the prescription and staple/tape it onto each box. Put one in your suitcase and carry one in your pocket. Tell Customs what you told us above,and,that you are moving to the USA. Your passport clearly states your from Europe,so I dont see a problem,especially since the quantity is very low.
US Customs will forfeit any meds coming into the USA which are not clearly identified/mislabeled,so I wouldn't try to hide them.Many IOP's are seized due to non-compliance of import laws created by our FDA,Sec 21.
I'm sure other members will be able to help,too.
J.
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I can't see me lovin nobody but you,for all my life
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rety
Stranger
Reged: 02/04/03
Posts: 8
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Thanks for the response!
Just to clear something up... i am actually a U.S. Citizen.
I have been studying at a French University for 6 months.
Not sure if that makes a difference.
Rety
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Jeremiah
Agape GrandParent
Reged: 07/14/02
Posts: 705
Loc: U.S.A.
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Your Very Welcome!
Shouldn't make a difference,if so,it would be in your favor.
J.
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I can't see me lovin nobody but you,for all my life
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curious
Member
Reged: 03/14/03
Posts: 183
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I would be extremely leary about leaving meds in suitcase as they are searched randomly and someone may have sticky fingers. JMHO
Curious
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cski
Newbie
Reged: 02/13/03
Posts: 34
Loc: Northern VA
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Nope, as long as you have it in a bottle w/ your name on it. I flew to Aruba, Mexico, and South America with my Morphine for my Rheumy, and never even got a flinch from customs, even under X-Ray. I had my scripts all in my backpack, which was carry on. So, I reccommed doing just that, and DONT TRY TO HIDE THEM.
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Chris Ski
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Jeremiah
Agape GrandParent
Reged: 07/14/02
Posts: 705
Loc: U.S.A.
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LOL! Isn't THAT the truth! 
J.
PS I recently read a declassified undercover op that supplied the perp with "150 Valium". In the back of my mind,I wondered "Where did he get these ?" LOL!
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I can't see me lovin nobody but you,for all my life
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rety
Stranger
Reged: 02/04/03
Posts: 8
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Thanks again for the replies.
I think I will just keep them in my backpack.
One question though...I am flying into JFK airport and i have never been through customs.
Do they ask you "Do you have anything to declare?", and i say "yes a prescription for valium" ?
If anyone could give me a brief rundown I would appreciate it.
Rety
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1433
Loc: MidWest USA
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I know exactly what you are talking about. I've studied abroad many times and brought back medications. I lived in Poland and had Valium prescribed for anxiety on the plane. They just give you the box when you get a prescription. There is nothing for you to declare, declaration is for the purpose of taxation. I have been worried before because I get a lot of my meds in samples, which obviously don't have my name on them, but if a medication is prescribed to you, it's prescribed to you. They don't question this anywhere in Europe or Eurasia and I have never had a problem returning to the US with meds in their original packaging (without a the "prescription label" we get in the US). I think by now customs is aware that this is just about the only place in the world where prescriptions are dispensed in special bottle with labels containing the patients' information. My rule of thumb on returning from study abroad has always been:
1. Take your nose ring out before going through customs.
2. Declare your liter of spirits and carton of smokes.
3.Keep your mouth shut until they say "Welcome Home," then remember English and say "Thank you."
I am on a variety of meds and have a LOT of stamps in my passport. Nobody cares about medicine.
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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ewebp
Veteran
Reged: 12/13/01
Posts: 593
Loc: midwest
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Read the back of the immigration and declaration form (form I-94...I think) before going through U.S. customs with prescription meds. If I remember correctly it does mention something about declaring controlled substances obtained abroad. I think it even says controlled substances are prohibited that are obtained overseas. I could be wrong, but I would do some research on the web.
Definitely don't hide them...I just got back from Asia a week after the U.S. starting bombing Iraq and customs went through ALL my stuff.
Take care.
-EW
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potatoboy99
Permanent Fixture

Reged: 02/04/03
Posts: 1201
Loc: Deep North (East)
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I fly internationally about once a month for my business, and less often domestically. So I have watched the security scrutiny post 9/11 as it has morphed itself into what it is today, month by month. What it is now is basically focused almost entirely on the prevention of weapons, potential weapons and explosive devices from getting on board the aircraft in a passenger's posession. Security at airports could care less what meds you have with you in personal use quantities.
I always travel with a quantity of un-prescribed meds in my toilet kit or my carry on: this will iinclude Xanax in blisterpacks, Ambien in blisterpacks, ritalin in blisterpacks, in addition to some 30mg codeisan tabs which i keep loose and throw in with the aspirin. On top of this I always have a US prescribed bottle of Claritin, a US prescribed bottle of Cipro, various anti malerial prescriptions (depending on where I;m going), US prescribed bottle of diphenoxylate (a kind of super-immodium), various quantities of multivitamins and herbal supplements, OTC aspirin, effervescent aspirin from Germany, Excedrin PM in a bottle, plus a quantity of Mylanta in blisterpacks, Comtrex Head Cold capsules in blisterpaks, and Dentyne Ice Chewing Gum in blisterpaks. It adds up to quite a travelling medicine cabinet, a sea of blisterpacks.(but I know from trial and error it's better to carry it around and never use it that to not have it when you need it badly)..
I have had my tweezers and fingrnail clipers confiscated, I have been pulled aside and questioned so long I almost missed my plane when I forgot about the pair of scissors in my carry on, but nobody has ever, either upon leaving the US, entering a foreign country, or returning to the US from abroad, never has anybody looked twice at the medicaton I carry with me. I carry modest quantities appropriate for my length of travel (usually a week or 10 days), so if confronted i will either claim personal use or just let them flush it all. But nobody is interested. All eyes are sharpely attuned to thwarting the next exploding shoe, not hassling you about your foreign benzo's.
Ewebp is right, do not hide them, Just toss them in your dopp kit or in with your books and papers along with a bottle of vitamin C tabs. Carry them on or put them in checked baggage. I would strongly reccomend you not declare them though, whatever that customs form says. If you declare to US customs that your are importing for personal use a quantity of a controlled substance, you're just inviting a degree of scrutiny that would otherwise not materialize. Your benzos are not what they are looking for. But if you force them to pay attention they will play by the book, which could involve confiscation or worse.
My single nervous moment came when I was standing in the passport line at Denpasar airport in Bali a few years ago. There is a very large sight posted above your head that declares national policy of DEATH TO DRUG SMUGGLERS. With difficulty I convinced myself that a guy with 10 5mg valiums and 6 ambien in his toilet kit probably was not the guy they were itching to exevute for his sins.
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1433
Loc: MidWest USA
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Yes, I didn't mean that you needed to hide them.
I may be mixing up my nations, but I thought the only "drugs" customs asked about were "illegal narcotics, firearms, and explosives.". . .
If for some reason they decide to frisk you, an American student coming back from France (highly unlikely unless you are profileable) and ask about your meds, then you tell them the truth. . . they were prescribed. With the quantity you have described the absolute worst reprecussion would be that you lose your valium stash and are out the 5 bucks or whatever you paid for them.
Seriously. I'll bail you out of jail myself if you are put under arrest for 60 pills prescribed to you. Just PM me and let me know what airport you're coming into (um, offer Void on the West Coast, I don't have time to drive out there). Hell, I'll even spot you a few alpraz.
I don't know about the current situation, but I flew out of the US into C. Europe on September 27, 2001. I flew from C. Europe to Moscow and back for New Years and had my bags searched. I flew from C. Europe to US and back in Feb. 2002 and have obviously returned to the homeland since. After the September 27 flight, I purchased a pair of steel toed boots that set off every metal detector in the world. THis was not my intention, or course, but it did draw a little more attention to me/
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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ewebp
Veteran
Reged: 12/13/01
Posts: 593
Loc: midwest
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I agree. The worse that could happen is possibly having customs confiscate them and/or sticking you with a fine. I just remember reading about controlled meds on the form before. I also travel overseas once a month and carry non-prescribed meds mixed with a variety of vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, antibiotics, enzymes, etc. Along with my many bottles of prescribed meds.
I don't declare my meds either. I keep them in plain view inside my carry-on..I just wanted you to be aware of the law.
-EW
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caramello51
Board Addict
Reged: 09/28/02
Posts: 311
Loc: Alaska
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just declare i'm happy to be back in the USA customs only really cares about smuggling, bombs, and non-prescription drugs. they want to tax u, frisk u, or mess up your carefully packed luggage and then leave u to re-pack it and try to make your next connection on time if u mention your valium it will only confuse or irritate them, in my experience anyway.
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rety
Stranger
Reged: 02/04/03
Posts: 8
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Ok it looks like I will be fine..Still a bit nervous though.
I leave in three days.
It's a shame that i have to be nervous about something i was legally prescribed...
It looks like the best idea is to keep them in my carry-on bag and NOT declare them. I dont think im profilable, but have gotten randomly searched on domestic flights twice (leaving my home state).
If they start anything, I will have them call my Gastro Doc, who can backup my anxiety story.
Thanks again..and any more tips are welcome
Rety
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Sky_Queen
Fly Girl
Reged: 12/03/02
Posts: 1967
Loc: Texas
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I did some looking around on the Internet but really didn't come up with any good sites. I found this off a "travel tips" website, I'll post the link also. I'm not necessarily saying I would follow this advice, just posting what I found.
Travel Tips
MEDICATIONS AND U.S. CUSTOMS
Some members of the public have encountered problems at United States Border points in attempting to transport prescription and non-prescription medications into the United States. Customs officials have taken action under a current policy of "ZERO TOLERANCE" in an attempt to curb drug trafficking across the border.
The following should be kept in mind:
1.Non-prescription drugs should be in the manufacturer's original package.Quantities should be sufficient only for reasonable personal use.
2.Prescription medications should be carried in the original dispensing package, and not be mingled with one another or transferred to an unlabelled container
3.Persons with chronic conditions who require ongoing medications would be advised to carry with them a note from the practitioner which certifies the drug(s) being used.
4.Persons carrying needed medications may wish to volunteer this information when crossing the border.
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rety
Stranger
Reged: 02/04/03
Posts: 8
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Bad news.
I am very jetlagged, but to make a long story short...
First customs check went fine, but after I picked up my suitcases I got "randomly" searched by a $#$@$@$ of a customs agent.
He saw my prescription and the valium and told me that I was smuggling drugs...I told him that I had a valid prescription and showed him the french one...he said its not valid because its not from a U.S. Dr...yada yada
The guy was a complete jerk, and I hadn't slept in 23 hours...so i really couldn't think to argue much.
So...i gave them up.
The valium was cheap in France...and i have no medical insurance until September...
So needless to say this was very dissapointing.
The worst part is that now I have to try to go to order from an IOP or something, since I can't afford to go to my regular Dr. and pay for a prescription.
The whole IOP thing kind of scares me as I have heard some stories about people getting visits and such...
I don't know if i can afford to take that risk.
Does anyone have any advice? Feel free to PM me.
I feel like I should have fought for it now, but at the time I was a little scared, and VERY tired.
Rety
P.S. thanks for all the help...just dumb luck that I got searched I guess.
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caramello51
Board Addict
Reged: 09/28/02
Posts: 311
Loc: Alaska
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Quote:
The guy was a complete jerk
yup that's what he was, prolly wanted them for himself. my condolences 
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1433
Loc: MidWest USA
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I'm sorry rety. I remember coming back from Study abroad last year after being able to walk into any pharmacy and buy codeine products all year, or going to a clinic and paying 5 bucks for the cisit and 1.25 for the box of valium.
Reality bites.
IOPs really aren't a big deal. I can give you some of my trsuted suggestions if you PM me.
And USOPs are always a possibility. For a lot of them you have to be 25, for many 21 is okay, and there are a few where I would be willing to bet you get your meds just by filling out the questionnaire and checking the box that says "Yes I am over XX." Plus there are some that give you a long time to get your records in and don't require you to send an ID. Just a few thoughts for ya.
BTW, I took all my valium on the trip back last time. A whole box of 20. In my defense it was a long trip with trnasfers and such. That plus the jet lag and I was wrecked for a week.
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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potatoboy99
Permanent Fixture

Reged: 02/04/03
Posts: 1201
Loc: Deep North (East)
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Unbelievable! You clearly had what could reasonably be considered a "personal use" quantity. Plus you had a prescription. What total jerks.
I'm sorry to hear that this happened.
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fiachat
Member
Reged: 11/19/02
Posts: 143
Loc: SoCal
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That's wild. When I went abroad earlier this year, no one looked sideways at me. My carry on was never opened and I sailed through customs in three different countries. Sorry you had the trouble, but perhaps your French doctor and your American doctor could communicate and get you a new prescription here at home? I don't think generic valium is all that expensive.
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BobaFat
Stranger

Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 22
Loc: Yorkshire England
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Its strange. American doctors will often prescribe benzos for anxiety but US customs will not let you bring or order them from overseas. UK doctors however will not prescribe benzos for love nor money yet UK customs are quite happy to let you import a 3 month supply from overseas.
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"Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try."
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1433
Loc: MidWest USA
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Quote:
That's wild. When I went abroad earlier this year, no one looked sideways at me. My carry on was never opened and I sailed through customs in three different countries. Sorry you had the trouble, but perhaps your French doctor and your American doctor could communicate and get you a new prescription here at home? I don't think generic valium is all that expensive.
Generic valium is, in fact, quite cheap. I am trying to remember my last script. . . it was for 30 and the price was definitely less than thirty dollars. I think under 20.
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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chrisre
Stranger
Reged: 10/14/02
Posts: 18
Loc: germany/west
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generic valium is much cheaper in germany. 3 Euros for 20 x10mg or even cheaper
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