Going through customs with dietary supplements (vitamins)

[Dean Keiter]

I am traveling to Nice France for a 6-day visit. We are landing at the Nice Airport. I take about 75 dietary supplement (vitamins) pills a day. I divide the dietary supplement pills and powders into small plastic bags and cups holding a single serving of vitamins. This is a lot of pills and I am worried this will arouse suspicions. Will I have a problem going through customs at the airport? Is there anything I can do to reduce the chance of a problem while going through customs?

 

[Donna Esposito]

Dean I once had a border-crossing problem with vitamins in Ecuador but have never had one in France so I can't help you. I read the same things you read about keeping the vitamins in the original bottles but if we're taking six vitamins for a 9 day trip do we really want to carry six different large bottles?  I'm glad you asked this question because I want to know the answer too.

[Evelyne Carr]

Hello, 

I would suggest to first check with the French customs what are the regulation on bringing medicines to France. Also ask your pharmacist or physician to issue you a prescription for these vitamins.

 

[David Paul Appell]

You know, I asked this on Twitter and one frequent traveler said, "I'd be surprised if they even checked the bags at all, I wouldn't even worry about it." And that sounds about right. The last two times I flew into Europe I sailed right through with nary a glance or a question, and the last time I flew into France (it was Lyon), same thing. Maybe if you're coming from, say North Africa or the Middle East, it might be a different story, but if you're a certain kind of person and coming from the States, I daresay you have nothing to worry about. But yes, check with the Tourism France in NYC (you can try tweeting them, even) to double check. If I hear anything else, I'll pass it along here. Please let us know how you made out and bon voyage!!

[David Paul Appell]

It also occurred to me that a good way to be on the safe side would be to carry along empty containers (or labels) for each type of pills to be able to show any customs agent what they are - again, in the unlikely case you're ever called on to have your bag searched.

[AtoutFrance_UK]

Hello Dean, 

It might be an issue if your pills are not in they original package with their medication label and prescription (if you have).
I am afraid there is no legislation that we know about this apart of this mention on the French consultate website: http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Importing-medecines-into-France

You should contact the French consulate for more information: http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Contact-us-21735 or ask directly to your airline company, they might help you with your enquiry. Otherwise, you can try to send an email to the French Airports Union: [e-mail]

Please, let us know,

We wish you a very pleasant journey in France, 

Kind egards

The French tourist board