Job Discussion Forums

Jess · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 11

I am planning to bring 1 years supply of the Pill to Japan from the UK, as well as 2 morning after pills, as I may/may not take the pill in Japan. Has anyone else done this and got them through - my main priority to bring in is the Morning After Pill.
Many many thanks in advance!

Celeste · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 10:09 pm Post subject:

I brought a year's supply of birth control with me when I first came to Japan. I went to all of the trouble of getting the importation forms from the Japanese consulate, filling them out, sending them to Tokyo, getting the permission forms from Tokyo, and bringing that and a copy of my prescritption on the plane with me. Fast forward to customs at Narita airport: I went through the something to declare line and gave the forms to the officer. He didn't even give them a cursory glance. He just stuffed them in his pocket and waived me through. The last time I went back to Canada, I brought back all kinds of medications and didn't bother declaring it. I went through the nothing to declare line. The officer asked me to open my bag. He looked at the contents of my bag very briefly (I had books, dvd boxed sets, cds, medicines, etc as well as allof my clothes in the bag) and waived me through.

If I were you, I would just bring the medications and stuff them in the bottom of my suitcase, maybe inside a pair of socks or something. You can do the importation paperwork, but it semed like a waste of time to me.

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

Birth Control pills are legal in Japan. If you stay here longer than a year and run out, you can easily get bc pills from your obgyn in Japan. I've visited an obgyn in Japan and the procedure is similar, except for the curtain, which you can ask to be removed.

In answer to your question, you'll have no problem brining them into the country. As for the morinng after pill, just tell them it's bc pills or vitamins.

(not to get off topic, but Japan is not an anti-abortion/contraceptive/bcp country at all)

Celeste · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:27 am Post subject:

Lynn-
While birth control pills are legal in Japan, the ones that are prescribed here are significantly higher dosages than those prescribed in N. America. I would suggest that anyone coming to Japan who takes prescription medications bring a good supply with them to last them until they are able to secure a supply of a comparable alternative.

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

That's good to know, Celeste. Thanks. I'm sure the other women on the board appreciate this info, too. It's interesting that the dosage is higher in Japan for bc pills. For other meds, my J-husband always complains that the US meds are way too strong.

foster · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 485 Location: Honkers, SARS

Yes, I agree with Celeste, but I also heard that some pills are significantly Lower in dosage, depending on the pill and doctor.

I brought 18 months worth when I came, plus a lifetime supply of condoms and no one batted an eye at customs. I had my prescription from the Doc in my handbag. The lady at Planned Parenthood in Regina was super nice to me and didn't even charge me money!! Smile

As for the morning after pill, I can't comment.

You may want to bring condoms as well, since some men complain about J-condoms being too small and not as reliable.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:31 am Post subject:

Celeste · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:33 pm Post subject:

Even the lowest dose Japanese birth control pill is almost twice the dosage of what I was taking in Canada. Believe me I brought in all of the info and my doctor (who has worked in the US before and is familiar with the pills available there) went through his pharmacology catalogues. There was nothing comparable.