Melatonin in China: Import Rules, Availability and Storage

Melatonin is not approved for sale in China. Bring your full supply with a doctor's letter and original packaging before you travel.

Quick reference

Drug class: Hormone / sleep aid
Controlled substance: No
Prescription required: No specific import permit required, but a doctor's letter is strongly advised
Available locally: Not confirmed available in Chinese pharmacies; no registered brand identified
Storage: Room temperature, away from light and moisture
Max supply to carry: No published personal-import quantity cap; carry a full trip supply with documentation
Key document: Doctor's letter in English and Chinese stating medication name, dosage, and clinical need
Emergency alternative: If supply runs out, consult a licensed hospital physician in China; local melatonin availability is unconfirmed and you may need to seek telemedicine advice from your home prescriber.

Travelling to China with melatonin: what you need to know

Melatonin, sold internationally as Circadin and Slenyto (and as Melatobel in Japan), is not registered as an approved drug product by China's National Medical Products Administration. No domestic brand has been confirmed in Chinese pharmacy chains, so you must bring your entire supply from home. China does not classify melatonin as a controlled substance, but customs documentation still matters.^[1]

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to China with melatonin

China General Administration of Customs requires that personal-use medicines be accompanied by a valid prescription or supporting medical documentation. Because melatonin has no registered status in China, a doctor's letter in both English and Simplified Chinese is the strongest protection if customs officers question the medication. The letter should be on clinic letterhead and signed by your prescribing doctor.^[2]

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescriber to obtain a doctor's letter confirming your use of melatonin, the dose, frequency, and quantity you are carrying.Prescriber letter
T-14 days
Have the letter translated into Simplified Chinese by a certified medical translator. No Chinese government import permit is required for melatonin, but a bilingual letter reduces customs delays significantly.Translated letter
Allow 5-10 working days for certified medical translation
T-7 days
Confirm your full supply is in original packaging with the pharmacy dispensing label visible. Check expiry dates extend past your return date.Original packaging
T-1 day
Print all documents. Keep the doctor's letter and translated version together in a clear folder in your carry-on. Do not rely on phone-only copies at Chinese border control.
T-0 (border)
Melatonin is not a controlled substance, so proactive declaration is not legally required. However, keep documentation accessible if a customs officer requests it.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full name, medication name (melatonin, with brand name Circadin or Slenyto if applicable), dose and frequency, quantity carried, the condition being managed (one word), doctor's signature and registration number, and clinic letterhead. Request a Chinese translation or have the clinic include a translated version.

The letter does not need notarisation or an apostille for personal medication import into China. A professional medical translation into Simplified Chinese is sufficient alongside the original.

How much melatonin to bring

China has no published personal-import quantity cap specifically for melatonin. Customs guidance states that personal-use medicines should be carried in quantities consistent with the trip duration. Bring at least 150% of your planned supply to account for delays or lost bags. Because no local replacement is confirmed available, running out in China has no reliable solution.^[2]

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup dose in checked luggage. If one bag is lost or delayed, you still have medication. Keep both portions in original packaging with pharmacy labels visible.

Packing and storing melatonin for travel

Melatonin tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature and kept away from heat above 25°C, direct light, and moisture.^[6] Keep the medication in its original blister pack or sealed container during transit. China's summer temperatures in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai regularly exceed 35°C, so avoid leaving medication in a bag stored in direct sunlight or in a car. A small insulated pouch is sufficient; refrigeration is not required.^[3]

At the airport and border

Airport security with melatonin

Melatonin tablets pass through airport security without any special declaration. Keep the medication in its original packaging with a visible pharmacy label when going through screening. It is not a liquid, gel, or injectable, so standard carry-on rules apply without restriction. Your departure country's security authority (not Chinese customs) governs outbound screening rules.

Customs and medication import rules for China

China General Administration of Customs allows travellers to bring personal-use medicines without a specific import permit, provided the quantity is consistent with personal need. Melatonin is not scheduled as a controlled substance under Chinese drug law, so no advance customs approval is needed. Keep your doctor's letter and translated copy accessible at the border in case an officer requests evidence of personal medical use.^[2]

Keep original packaging at customs

Melatonin is not controlled in China, but border officers may be unfamiliar with it as a personal medication. Original packaging with a visible pharmacy label and a bilingual doctor's letter is the fastest way to clear any query. Do not transfer tablets into unlabelled containers before travel.

While in country

Melatonin availability in China

Brands of melatonin sold in China

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
No registered brand confirmed	Not applicable	Not applicable	Melatonin is not confirmed as registered with China's NMPA; no domestic or imported brand has been independently verified as available in Chinese retail pharmacies

China's National Medical Products Administration database does not list melatonin as an approved drug product under its registered medicines, and no confirmed retail pharmacy source for melatonin has been independently verified for China. International brands Circadin and Slenyto are not sold in Chinese pharmacies. Treat local availability as zero and plan your supply accordingly.^[1]

Finding a doctor who can prescribe melatonin in China

Because melatonin is not registered in China, a local doctor cannot prescribe it for you to obtain from a Chinese pharmacy. If you need a clinical assessment for a sleep disorder, international hospitals and private clinics in Beijing and Shanghai employ English-speaking physicians. A private consultation typically costs ¥500-1,500 (~$74-$223 / ~€64-€191). For supply issues, telemedicine with your home prescriber is the most practical first step.^[4]

Search for providers near your destination

Use Nomedic's provider search to find doctors and pharmacies in China.

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Storing melatonin while in China

Melatonin should be stored below 25°C, away from direct light and humidity. In summer, Beijing and southern Chinese cities such as Guangzhou and Chengdu regularly reach 35-40°C outdoors. Keep your supply in an air-conditioned room rather than in a bag left in transit or near a window. Hotel room temperature control is generally reliable in major cities, but check storage conditions on arrival.^[3]

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your melatonin in China

If your melatonin is lost or damaged, contact your travel insurer first to document the loss for any reimbursement claim. Then contact your home prescriber via telemedicine to discuss whether a local alternative or a courier of replacement supply is feasible given your remaining time in China.

If you run out unexpectedly, there is no confirmed retail source for melatonin in China. Use telemedicine to consult your prescriber remotely. An international hospital in Beijing or Shanghai may be able to advise on local alternatives, though a direct melatonin replacement is unlikely to be dispensed.

“我需要褪黑素。 | 我有睡眠障碍。 | 请帮我叫医生。 | 最近的药店在哪里？”

I need melatonin. | I have a sleep disorder. | Please call a doctor. | Where is the nearest pharmacy?

China's emergency ambulance number is 120. . For non-emergency medical concerns, a 24-hour international clinic such as those operated by international hospital networks in Beijing (e.g. Beijing United Family Hospital) can advise in English.^[5] For more context on healthcare options, refer to Nomedic's China travel guide.

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Frequently asked questions

Is melatonin legal in China?

Melatonin is legal to bring into China for personal use. It is not classified as a controlled substance under Chinese drug law, so no import permit is required. Carrying a doctor's letter and original packaging is the best way to avoid delays at customs.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with melatonin to China?

A doctor's letter is not legally required but is strongly recommended. Because melatonin is not a registered product in China, border officers may be unfamiliar with it. A bilingual letter on clinic letterhead stating the medication name, dose, and clinical need significantly reduces the risk of a customs query.

Can I bring melatonin into China without a prescription?

Yes, melatonin can be brought into China without a prescription for personal use. China General Administration of Customs permits personal-use medicines in quantities proportionate to your trip length. A bilingual doctor's letter in English and Simplified Chinese is strongly advised, even though it is not legally mandatory.

Is melatonin available in Chinese pharmacies?

No confirmed retail source for melatonin has been verified in Chinese pharmacies. The medication is not registered as an approved drug product by China's National Medical Products Administration, and international brands such as Circadin and Slenyto are not sold locally. Bring your full supply from home.

What if I run out of melatonin while in China?

There is no confirmed retail replacement available in Chinese pharmacies. If you run out, consult your home prescriber via telemedicine. An international hospital in Beijing or Shanghai may be able to advise on clinical options, though a direct melatonin prescription from a local doctor cannot be filled locally.

Is Circadin available in China?

Circadin, the prolonged-release melatonin brand registered in countries such as Germany, France, and Australia, is not available in China. No equivalent registered brand has been confirmed in Chinese retail pharmacies. Travellers who take Circadin should bring their full supply before departing; see the full melatonin in China guide for documentation advice.