Korean Job Discussion Forums

[majoba82]

I'm fairly certain this has already been covered, so I appreciate any efforts to address my potentially redundant post. If this has been covered in detail could someone send a link?

So, I will be leaving for South Korea next week and intend on bringing prescription medication. Do I need to document this at immigration? Should I simply pack it in the depths of my bag and overlook its inclusion?
After some deliberation I decided not to include my pre-existing condition on any medical statement. Does immigration share information with schools? Once again, any suggestions/experiences would help. Thanks.

[loose_ends]

[Atavistic]

I've had no problem going through immigration, ever. I tried to declare something once, and they just waved me through.

I do not think immigration will have access to your medical records, especially not the dudes near baggage claim.

I WOULD bring the prescription or make sure the prescript labels--with YOUR name clearly on them--are on the packages.

I've also had no problem getting prescripts in the mail, labeled as "personal medical item."

[ttompatz]

They often use a sniffer dog on incoming bags.

If the dog sits at your bag it will be tagged (beeping yellow box attached to the bag) for further inspection.

If the prescriptions are in their original bottles with the prescription order in your name attached there will be no problem.

If they are just pills in a bottle with no paperwork, you may have some problems.

Just like any international travel and prescription meds....

1) keep them in the containers that you got them in (from the pharmacy)
2) have a copy of the prescription with you (or the prescription label with your name on it).
3) NO worries.

.

[Zaria32]

I have a serious, but not communicable, medical condition. I did NOT declare it on the self-assessment health questionaire because I called immigration and they told me not to as it was not a threat to public health.

It WAS discovered (as I knew it would be) when I had the tests, but did not interfere with the issuance of my ARC.

[icicle]

I came through immigration and customs a couple of weeks ago and had no trouble at all with my prescription medication ... In fact I did not find anywhere on the customs declaration form to declare that I was carrying prescription medication ... There was a question about whether you were carrying illegal drugs ... or some similar wording like that but no one which fitted the prescription medication for own use ... I was fully prepared to declare it I know that I needed to going into Australia and am sure I did the last time I came into Korea but I guess they must have changed the wording on the form ...

But if not I would simply follow the advice of other posters and know that you won't have anything to worry about

[travelingfool]

I think the trick to avoid any kind of customs and immigration interrogation is to be clean, well dressed, and confident. When I travel abroad, I will wear a pair of nice khaki type pants with a button down shirt, polished shoes, and be clean shaven (business casual look). Doing that I have always waltzed on through with barely a glance.

I have traveled with muscle relaxers, Ibuprofen, tramadol, Effexor, Prozac, Valium, and Ambien. These were all in my briefcase (not at the same time, and on different trips). The only time I have been interrogated and asked to empty my briefcase or carry on is in the good old USA. I have never had a problem traveling abroad with medications. I think if you have an opiate type drug without a prescription you could get in trouble. By the way, I am completely medication free these days:)

Always put your meds in your carry on, purse, backpack, etc, especially with the way airlines lose baggage these days.

[Atavistic]

[agoodmouse]

I just came back from Japan and everyone was waved through. One man asked a group of us waiting in line, "do you have anything to declare?" Only a couple said they did, so the rest of us just walked through.