Personal importation
Personal importation means bringing a medicine into a country for your own use, instead of buying it through the normal pharmacy system there. Each country has its own rules, and in the US it is generally not allowed for drugs that FDA has not approved. This entry describes only the US position; it is not legal advice.
For experts
FDA defines a personal importation as a product not for further sale or distribution into US commerce. FDA states that in most circumstances it is illegal for individuals to import drugs or devices into the US for personal use, because such products often have not been approved by FDA, and that a drug approved elsewhere but unapproved in the US is illegal to import. FDA personnel may consider a more permissive decision in certain listed situations; other countries apply different rules.
Sources (1)
- 01Personal ImportationU.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2025-08-18 · accessed 2026-09-29