Diazepam in Mexico: Controls, Valium and Import Rules

Quick reference

Drug class: Benzodiazepine
Controlled substance: Yes, Fracción II psychotropic under Mexico's Ley General de Salud
Prescription required: Yes
Available locally: Yes, sold as Valium at major pharmacy chains with a valid Mexican prescription
Storage: Room temperature, below 25°C, away from light and moisture
Max supply to carry: 30-day personal supply with documentation; larger quantities require COFEPRIS authorisation
Key document: Doctor's letter in Spanish stating your name, medication name (INN and brand), dose, quantity, and diagnosis; original prescription with pharmacy label
Emergency alternative: Visit a private clinic or hospital for a local psychiatrist consultation to obtain a Mexican prescription, then collect from a Farmacias del Ahorro or Similares branch.

Travelling to Mexico with diazepam: what changes

Diazepam, sold internationally as Valium and Diastat, is classified as a Fracción II psychotropic under Mexico's Ley General de Salud^[1]. This means you must carry a doctor's letter, your original prescription, and no more than a 30-day personal supply to cross the border legally. Local availability exists under the Valium brand, but a valid Mexican prescription is required to collect it.

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 Mexico with diazepam

Because diazepam is a Fracción II controlled psychotropic, COFEPRIS requires travellers to carry a medical certificate in Spanish^[2] signed by a licensed physician, stating your full name, the medication's INN (diazepam) and brand name, dose, frequency, quantity, and diagnosis. The certificate must accompany the medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label intact.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescribing doctor to review your prescription and request a medical certificate covering the trip duration. Ensure the certificate names both the INN (diazepam) and the brand (Valium), your diagnosis, your dosage, and the total quantity you will carry.Medical certificate
T-14 days
Have the certificate translated into Spanish by a certified translator if your doctor writes in another language. Mexico's customs officers and COFEPRIS inspectors may only accept Spanish-language documentation. No separate COFEPRIS import permit is required for a personal supply of up to 30 days, but the certificate must be complete and signed.Certified Spanish translation
Certified translation services typically take 3-7 business days. Use a sworn translator (traductor perito) for greater acceptance at customs.
T-7 days
Collect your full supply in original blister packs or bottles with the pharmacy label showing your name, medication name, dose, and dispensing date. Print copies of both the certificate and prescription; do not rely solely on digital copies.Translated letter
T-1 day
Pack the majority of your supply in your carry-on bag. Place a small backup quantity in checked luggage in case of delay. Confirm all documents are printed and accessible without unpacking your main bag.
T-0 (border)
Declare your medication proactively on the Mexican customs declaration form. Present your medical certificate and prescription together if questioned. Do not transfer tablets out of original packaging before the border.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full name of the patient, medication name in INN (diazepam) and brand (Valium), dose and frequency, total quantity carried, diagnosis (one word or short phrase), doctor's signature and medical registration number, clinic letterhead, and date of issue. The letter must be in Spanish or accompanied by a certified Spanish translation.

A notarisation or apostille is not formally required by Mexican customs for a personal medication supply, but a Spanish-language document signed by a licensed physician on clinic letterhead is strongly recommended. Keep the original; do not rely on a photocopy alone. Our benzodiazepines in Mexico travel guide also contains information on import paperwork.

How much diazepam to bring

Mexico permits a personal supply of up to 30 days for controlled psychotropic medications^[2] without requiring additional COFEPRIS authorisation beyond your medical certificate. Bring at least 10% extra to account for delays, and carry the full supply from home rather than planning to refill locally. Obtaining a Mexican prescription as a visitor is possible but time-consuming, so self-sufficiency is the safer approach.

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 diazepam for travel

Diazepam tablets should be stored at room temperature, below 25°C and away from direct light and moisture. Mexico City's average daily temperature ranges between 12°C and 22°C year-round, making storage straightforward in most hotel rooms; coastal cities such as Cancún and Puerto Vallarta can exceed 30°C, so avoid leaving medication in a parked car or by a sunny window. Keep tablets in their original blister pack inside a small insulated pouch during transit if passing through hot terminals.

At the airport and border

Airport security with diazepam

Diazepam tablets are solid-dose medications and are not subject to airport liquid restrictions. Keep them in your carry-on bag in original packaging with the pharmacy label visible. Security officers at your departure airport may ask about the medication; have your doctor's letter and prescription accessible without unpacking your entire bag. If you are connecting through a third country, check that country's import rules separately, as controlled substance rules vary.

Customs and medication import rules for Mexico

Mexico's customs authority (SAT/Aduanas) requires you to declare controlled psychotropic medications on arrival. Diazepam falls under Fracción II of Mexico's psychotropic substances list^[2], meaning you must present your medical certificate and original prescription at customs if asked. The personal import limit for controlled psychotropics is 30 days' supply^[3]; quantities beyond this require a specific COFEPRIS import authorisation obtained before travel.

Controlled substance warning

Diazepam is a Fracción II psychotropic under Mexico's Ley General de Salud. Carrying it without a medical certificate and original prescription exposes you to confiscation and potential legal proceedings. Always declare it at customs and present your documentation proactively. Do not exceed the 30-day personal supply limit without prior COFEPRIS authorisation.

While in country

Diazepam availability in Mexico

Brands of diazepam sold in Mexico

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
Valium	Anxiety, muscle spasm, seizure	Oral tablet (2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg)	Available at major chains (Farmacias del Ahorro, Similares) with a valid Mexican prescription; occasional regional stock variation

Valium (diazepam) is available in Mexican pharmacies but requires a controlled substance prescription issued by a Mexican-licensed physician. Foreign prescriptions are not accepted for in-country dispensing. A 30-tablet pack of generic diazepam 5 mg costs approximately MXN 80-150 (~$5-9 / ~€4.50-8)^[4] at major pharmacy chains, though you must first obtain a local prescription to purchase it.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe diazepam in Mexico

Private hospitals and clinics in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and major tourist destinations such as Cancún and Los Cabos can connect you with a psychiatrist or general practitioner who may prescribe diazepam after a consultation.

Private consultation fees typically range from MXN 600 to MXN 1,500 (~$36-89 / ~€32-80)^[5] depending on the specialist and city. English-speaking physicians are available at private clinics in tourist-heavy areas. Telemedicine services registered in Mexico can also connect you with a local prescriber, though the controlled nature of diazepam means many platforms will refer you to an in-person consultation.

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Storing diazepam while in Mexico

Diazepam tablets require storage below 25°C, protected from light and moisture. In coastal Mexico, where ambient temperatures and humidity regularly exceed this threshold, store your supply in an air-conditioned room rather than a beach bag or car glove compartment. Mexico City's altitude (2,240 m) keeps temperatures cooler and poses no specific storage challenge. If your accommodation lacks reliable air conditioning during a heat event, a hotel safe or cool interior drawer is preferable to a bedside table in direct sunlight.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your diazepam in Mexico

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a report at the nearest police station (call 911 for assistance) and obtain a copy of the report. Contact your travel insurer immediately; a police report is typically required to support a claim for replacement medication costs.

If you run out of diazepam unexpectedly, go to a private clinic or hospital and explain that you require an urgent psychiatric or general medicine consultation. Bring your original prescription medication packaging and doctor's letter as evidence of your existing treatment. The physician will decide whether to issue a local prescription; never attempt to obtain diazepam without a valid Mexican prescription, as doing so constitutes a criminal offence under Mexico's Ley General de Salud.

“Necesito diazepam con receta. / Tengo una receta médica de mi país. / Por favor llame a un médico. / ¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana?”

I need diazepam with a prescription. / I have a medical prescription from my country. / Please call a doctor. / Where is the nearest pharmacy?

Mexico's emergency number for ambulance, police, and fire is 911.^[6] For urgent psychiatric or neurological care, ask to be taken to the nearest hospital with a Servicio de Urgencias.

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Frequently asked questions

Is diazepam legal to bring into Mexico?

Diazepam is legal to bring into Mexico for personal use, provided you carry a valid medical certificate in Spanish, your original prescription, and no more than a 30-day supply. Carrying it without documentation exposes you to confiscation or legal proceedings under Mexico's Ley General de Salud.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with diazepam to Mexico?

Yes. A medical certificate in Spanish, signed by a licensed physician and stating your name, INN (diazepam), brand (Valium), dose, quantity, and diagnosis is required by Mexican customs for controlled psychotropic medications. Your departure airport's security may also ask to see documentation, so carry it in your hand luggage.

Is Valium available in Mexican pharmacies?

Valium (diazepam) is stocked at major Mexican pharmacy chains including Farmacias del Ahorro and Similares. You must present a valid Mexican prescription to purchase it; bring your own supply from home and obtain a local prescription only if you genuinely need a refill.

Is diazepam the same as Valium in Mexico?

Yes. Valium is the brand name for diazepam sold in Mexico, identical to the international brand used in the US, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, and many other countries. Generic diazepam tablets are also available at Mexican pharmacies at a lower price, but both require a valid local prescription.

Can I buy diazepam over the counter in Mexico?

No. Diazepam is a controlled psychotropic in Mexico and requires a prescription issued by a Mexican-licensed physician to be dispensed at any pharmacy. You cannot purchase it over the counter, and foreign prescriptions are not accepted for in-country dispensing.

What happens if I run out of diazepam while travelling in Mexico?

Visit a private clinic or hospital and request a psychiatric or general medicine consultation, bringing your original packaging and doctor's letter as evidence of your treatment. A Mexican physician can issue a local prescription, which you can then take to a pharmacy chain such as Farmacias del Ahorro to collect Valium.

Related practical guide

Benzodiazepines Abroad: Why Customs Can Seize Your Prescription

A valid prescription does not protect your benzodiazepines at every border. Here is what customs officers actually check, and what happens when supply runs out abroad.

Diazepam in Mexico: COFEPRIS Controls, Valium and Import Rules