Crossing the border with Sudafed

October 31, 2022 5:50 PM

I’m travelling to the US from Canada soon and am likely coming down with a cold. Will I have trouble crossing the border with Sudafed? I know there are some restrictions on pseudoephedrine in the US, one time there I was not able to buy it, but it is the only decongestant that works for me. I will be driving from BC to Washington and Oregon. Thanks.
posted by vanitas to Health & Fitness (16 answers total)

I don't have a definitive answer, but how much are you intending to bring across? I would think it would make a difference if you were bringing in a single pack of Sudafed in your luggage versus a huge box containing hundreds of doses.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 6:12 PM on October 31, 2022

I mean, you can just buy Sudafed in the US - they lock it and limit the quantity you can buy at one time, but it does not require a prescription. I'd imagine you'd be fine though - I've only had my car randomly searched once when crossing the US/Canada border, and they didn't do a very through job - if you had a box stashed away in a suitcase I doubt they'd notice. I wouldn't declare anything.
posted by coffeecat at 6:20 PM on October 31, 2022

Just wanted to add that I would only bring as much as seemed reasonable for the length of stay. If you are coming for a weekend, a month's supply might make them wonder in ways that you would rather that they didn't.
posted by metahawk at 6:20 PM on October 31, 2022

Sudafed is legal in the US; you just have to sign for it at the pharmacy and have an ID. There are daily purchase limits of 3.6 grams (approximately a 15-day supply) per day and 9 grams per 30-day period. I would not carry more than that on you just to be safe.
posted by charmedimsure at 6:20 PM on October 31, 2022

I was only planning to bring one box, or even just one blister sheet of 10 would probably be enough. I could buy it across the border for sure, I’m just bringing it along for convenience since I have some already. I am perhaps a bit paranoid but I get nervous at the border already and just don’t want to break the law by accident.
posted by vanitas at 6:22 PM on October 31, 2022

I understand being concerned and it’s been a minute since I’ve crossed the border, but I don’t remember them asking about cold medication? They were way more worried about pot. Stick your meds in your suitcase, don’t act squirrelly enough to get your car searched, and you should be fine?
posted by joycehealy at 6:29 PM on October 31, 2022

It's not illegal here, just annoying to buy. I cannot imagine anyone would even blink an eye at one box of Sudafed.
posted by Countess Sandwich at 6:36 PM on October 31, 2022

sudafed is not a prescription drug but there are laws that require recording the purchase in a database, requiring id, and limiting the amount that one person can buy over the counter per month. having a large amount (like more than 3 or 4 boxes) is not illegal in most states but will arouse suspicion. one standard box? not a problem at all. i would cross the border with a single box without hesitation
posted by dis_integration at 6:46 PM on October 31, 2022

Pseudoephedrine is available without a prescription in Oregon as of January 1, 2022. Prior to that it was available by prescription only. You will need to purchase it at the pharmacy counter. As a person with an extensive allergy mitigation plan, I always have part of a blister pack of 24-hr pills in my purse and have never had any issues traveling within the US and territories. I would err on the side of having the medication I need prior to departing my home base (in a reasonable quantity to treat my symptoms) and having it confiscated than to not have it at all. In addition to altitude changes as you cross terrain, there are also some gnarly weather systems moving through the PNW right now and atmospheric pressure changes can really put the hurt on congested sinuses. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
posted by Lady Sugar Maple at 7:06 PM on October 31, 2022

The US restrictions seem to have more to do with whether you are purchasing more than one box at a time while here. I think bringing a single blister pack with you is fine, you'd only run into trouble if you brought a whole case of the stuff or tried to buy a whole case of the stuff while you're here.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:59 PM on October 31, 2022

I would go into the US with a modest amount of foreign Sudafed without hesitation, but any future readers should note that you can get into a bunch of trouble bringing it into, say, Japan. Future readers, check the laws where you're going.
posted by aubilenon at 8:07 PM on October 31, 2022

And take it in the box, not just one random blister pack. Canada appears to allow up to 90 days supply of prescription and OTC meds that are in their original packaging. I wouldn't take that much for a short trip, as you don't want them to think that you're trying to import extra for others or planning to overstay.
posted by wierdo at 9:05 PM on October 31, 2022

You won’t have any trouble. I carry Sudafed every time I cross any border (including Canada-US, dozens of times), precisely because it’s restricted in so many places, and if I’m congested I need it to fly. I’ve never declared it or been asked about it, even when folks paw through my luggage. You’ll be fine :)
posted by Susan PG at 5:09 AM on November 1, 2022

All personal experiences notwithstanding, here's what the US Customs and Border patrol says (click the Medication tab). To summarize:
-- Declare all medications
-- Keep them in their original packaging
-- Carry only a normal supply
-- Have with you a physician's prescription or written statement to the effect that you need this stuff
I would also print out a copy of those guidelines and have that with you just in case.
posted by beagle at 6:22 AM on November 1, 2022

That CBP list is specifically intended to refer to “potentially addictive drugs or narcotics (e.g., some cough medicines, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants or stimulants)” which Sudafed isn’t — despite it being mildly stimulating the controls in the US for Sudafed relate to it being used in meth manufacturing, not because it is regarded as being problematic on its own.

If you’re not transporting an amount that would be useful in making meth (see above for purchasing limits) they’re not going to care UNLESS they’re fishing for a reason to harass you for some other purpose (because all border personnel everywhere in the world are utter bastards at heart and cannot be trusted). If that happens it doesn’t really matter what you do or don’t do, they’ll get you one way or another, it’s just a question of which set of paperwork they’ll need to fill out.
posted by aramaic at 9:58 AM on November 1, 2022

YMMV but to everyone that says you can buy it in the US, you can, but I certainly failed to buy it with foreign ID some years ago. Canada is differently foreign to me though.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 9:38 PM on November 1, 2022