During holidays, it is not unusual for many Swedes to choose to travel away to get a change of scenery and treat themselves to a little extra luxury in everyday life.
However, the fact that it is popular to travel is nothing new. According to European ERV the Swedish people made 9.6 million trips abroad in 2023, which was then an increase of 1.4 million trips compared to the year before.
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Then you can get stuck in customs during the holiday
However, those who are going abroad this summer may have a boring start to the holiday. The Customs Agency, in consultation with the Medical Products Agency, has now issued a warning to a certain group of individuals, namely those who travel with medication packed in their bag.
Many risk getting stuck in customs because they brought medicine with them, even if it is allowed. The reason is that you as a traveler must follow the laws and regulations of the country you are traveling to when it comes to the import and export of prescription drugs.
Eva-Lena Bergens is an investigator at the Medical Products Agency. In a press release she says that a common mistake many people make, which risks getting stuck in customs, is carrying someone else’s medicine.
– Regardless of whether you are traveling into Sweden or to another country, you must always be able to show that the prescription medicine is yours. For example, you can show a prescription, pharmacy label with your name or doctor’s certificate. It is not permitted for you to bring medicine to someone else.
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If you carry prescription drugs when you travel, you risk getting stuck in customs. The picture is a genre picture. Photo: Izabelle Nordfjell/TT You have to keep an eye on that at customs
In addition to having the right documents with you for your medication, it is also important that you have an overview of what applies to where you are traveling.
– Many countries, even within the EU, have their own rules for importing medicines. Before your trip, it may therefore be a good idea to contact the relevant authorities in the country you are traveling to. Especially if you are going to be away for a long time or bring drugs classified as narcotics, says Bergens.
If you bring prescription medicine that is not yours, is subject to restrictions or is not declared, you can risk a fine, or in the worst case, prison.
In conclusion, the authorities highlight that for as smooth and quick customs clearance as possible, you should keep the medicine in its original packaging.
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Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT
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