Anxiety Medication Abroad: When Benzodiazepines Are Banned and What to Do Instead

Benzodiazepines are banned or tightly restricted in over 30 countries. Here is what the paperwork actually requires and which alternatives cross borders cleanly.

Anxiety medication abroad: what you need to know

Diazepam is a legal prescription medicine in your home country and a controlled substance that can get you arrested at customs in Japan, the UAE, and several other destinations. That gap between 'prescribed' and 'permitted abroad' is where most anxiety travellers run into serious trouble.

Medical disclaimer: This article provides general information about medication regulations and does not constitute medical advice. Regulations change and individual circumstances vary. Always consult your prescribing doctor or psychiatrist before making any changes to your anxiety medication, and verify current import rules with the destination country's official health authority before travel.

Which countries restrict or ban benzodiazepines outright

Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act ^[1]prohibits importing most benzodiazepines, including triazolam, without a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate. Diazepam and alprazolam fall under the same restrictions. You cannot buy them in a Japanese pharmacy without a local prescription, and a foreign prescription is not accepted.

The UAE classifies diazepam, lorazepam, and clonazepam as controlled substances under Federal Law No. 14 of 1995. As of 29 December 2025, personal-medicine import permits are issued by the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) at ede.gov.ae rather than the former Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) service. Carrying these medications without a valid EDE permit risks confiscation, fines, and criminal investigation under the same federal law.

Thailand lists diazepam as a Schedule IV psychotropic under the Psychotropic Substances Act. Alprazolam is categorised as a Category II psychotropic^[3], which means personal import requires prior authorisation from the Thai Food and Drug Administration. Arriving with an undeclared supply puts you at risk of seizure at the border.

Indonesia controls alprazolam as a Group II or III psychotropic under Law No. 5 of 1997 — prescribable for therapeutic use with a valid Rx, but import for personal use requires advance clearance through the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and customs paperwork; possession without that paperwork is treated as illegal possession of a controlled substance. Morocco and Vietnam tightly control supplies, and even patients with local prescriptions report routine stock shortages.

What the paperwork actually requires

A doctor's letter is not enough in most restricted destinations. The standard documents you need are different for each country, and applying too late is the most common mistake.

For Japan, you need a Yakkan Shoumei certificate issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The application must be submitted at least two to four weeks before travel^[4] and requires a copy of your prescription, a letter from your prescribing doctor, and a completed MHLW form. Apply via the MHLW Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare closest to your Japanese destination.

For the UAE, apply through the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) at ede.gov.ae. Travellers may carry up to a three-month personal supply with a valid permit (the 30-day limit applies to non-controlled prescription medicines arriving without a permit). The application requires a prescription dated within the prior six months and a doctor's letter naming the diagnosis (ICD code), generic and brand name, dose, and quantity. Allow at least four weeks for processing.

For Schengen countries, the Schengen agreement provides a standardised certificate for psychotropic substances. Your prescribing doctor issues it; it covers up to 30 days of supply and must be carried alongside the original medication packaging. The certificate is not a permit but does facilitate customs clearance.

Store the medication in its original labelled packaging in all cases. Loose tablets in an unlabelled container are a fast route to confiscation, even where the drug is technically legal.

Alternatives that cross borders more cleanly

SSRIs and SNRIs are not controlled substances in any country covered by this article. If your psychiatrist has the flexibility to trial an SSRI or SNRI before your trip, it removes the customs problem entirely.

Buspirone is approved by the US FDA and EMA for generalised anxiety disorder and is not a controlled substance in most jurisdictions. It is available by prescription throughout Europe, North America, Australia, and much of South America. Japan is the notable exception — buspirone is not approved there; the Japanese-developed analogue tandospirone (Sediel, Sumitomo Pharma) is used in its place for the same indication. The UAE permits buspirone with a standard prescription.

Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) is an antihistamine with anxiolytic and sedating properties. It is not a controlled substance and is widely registered, but it is prescription-only in the US, UK, Japan, and most other countries — not over the counter. It is a workable benzodiazepine alternative for short-term anxiety symptoms when you already have access to a prescriber.

Beta-blockers such as propranolol are used for situational anxiety, particularly in anticipation of high-stress events. They are not controlled, require no special paperwork, and are available in pharmacies across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Pregabalin and gabapentin are controlled in some countries (the UK classifies pregabalin as Schedule 3) but are not benzodiazepines, and their regulatory status varies widely. Check each destination individually before assuming they travel freely.

How to have the switching conversation with your prescriber

Give yourself at least eight weeks before departure. Switching or trialling an alternative requires time to assess tolerability and effectiveness, and your prescriber needs lead time to adjust your plan.

Tell your doctor exactly which countries you are visiting, not just the region. Regulatory status varies country to country, and your prescriber can flag risks you may not have anticipated.

If staying on your benzodiazepine is medically necessary, ask for a letter that includes your diagnosis, the generic and brand name of the medication, the dose, the duration of the prescription, and your prescriber's contact details. Some countries require this letter to be notarised or apostilled.

Why your medication record matters more than your prescription printout

A prescription printout tells a customs officer what you were prescribed. It does not tell an emergency doctor in Bangkok or Tokyo what else you are taking, what you are allergic to, or what doses you have already been given. For anxiety disorders where treatment interactions matter, medication import rules are only one piece of the puzzle.

An International Patient Summary (IPS) gives emergency clinicians a structured, machine-readable record of your medications, allergies, and diagnoses in a format any hospital can read. Create yours on Nomedic before you travel so you have it available on your phone, offline, in any country.

Country-by-country quick reference

Japan. All benzodiazepines require a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate. Apply at least two to four weeks in advance via the MHLW. Maximum import quantity is typically a one-month supply.

UAE. EDE permit required for all benzodiazepines (service moved from MOHAP on 29 December 2025). Apply online at ede.gov.ae. Up to 3-month supply permitted with a valid permit; 30 days without one for non-controlled prescription medicines.

Thailand. Diazepam is Schedule IV; alprazolam is Category II. Both require Thai FDA authorisation for personal import. A supply of up to 30 days may be approved.

Indonesia. Alprazolam is a Group II or III psychotropic (not banned, but controlled). Diazepam is a Group IV psychotropic. Both require BPOM authorisation and supporting prescription paperwork; carrying without prior approval is treated as possession of a controlled substance under Law No. 5 of 1997.

Schengen Area. Controlled psychotropics require a Schengen certificate from your prescribing doctor. It covers up to 30 days. No import permit needed but the certificate must be carried.

Morocco. Benzodiazepines are controlled and supply is inconsistent. Carry the full supply you need for your trip. Local pharmacies cannot be relied upon as a backup.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring diazepam to Japan?

Diazepam requires a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. You must apply at least two to four weeks before travel and can import up to a one-month supply. Arriving without the certificate risks confiscation.

What anxiety medications are not controlled substances abroad?

SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, hydroxyzine, and propranolol are not classified as controlled substances in most destinations. They cross international borders without the permit requirements that benzodiazepines attract, though you should still carry a prescription and doctor's letter.

Do I need a special permit to carry Xanax to the UAE?

Yes. Alprazolam (Xanax) is a controlled substance under UAE federal law. You must obtain a MoHAP import permit before travel via smart.mohap.gov.ae. A valid permit allows up to a 30-day supply.

What happens if I arrive with undeclared benzodiazepines?

In strict jurisdictions such as Japan, UAE, and Indonesia, undeclared controlled substances can be confiscated and may lead to detention or prosecution. Rules vary by country, but declaring at customs is always safer than hoping the medication goes undetected.

How far in advance should I apply for a medication import permit?

Apply at least four weeks before travel for Japan's Yakkan Shoumei and at least two weeks for the UAE's MoHAP permit. Processing times vary and applying last-minute carries a high risk of not receiving approval before your departure date.

What is a Schengen certificate for medications?

A Schengen certificate is a standardised document issued by your prescribing doctor that confirms you are carrying a controlled substance for personal medical use. It is valid for up to 30 days across Schengen member states and facilitates customs clearance, though it is not a formal import permit.