Travelling abroad with medication: rules for athletes and teams
- Last reviewed
- 6 min read
- For sports teams, universities
The short answer
Athletes travelling abroad should carry medication in hand luggage, in original packaging, with a copy of the prescription or a prescriber's letter. Controlled drugs also need the destination country's rules checked with its embassy before travel. Separately, every medicine must be checked against the WADA Prohibited List, because UK Anti-Doping says athletes are 100 percent responsible for what they use. Medical staff should do both checks well before departure.
Key takeaways
- GOV.UK says to carry medicine containing a controlled drug in hand luggage, with a prescription or a letter from your doctor, and to check the destination country's rules with its embassy.
- TravelHealthPro advises keeping medicines in original pharmacy packaging, carrying a copy of each prescription and a prescriber's letter listing generic names, and putting some extra supply in hold luggage.
- Rules on importing medicines vary widely. Some medicines that are routine in the UK are restricted elsewhere, and medicinal cannabis and CBD products are banned in many countries.
- UKAD says athletes are 100 percent responsible for any medication they use, and cannot rely on their doctor to check it. Global DRO covers medicines sold in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK and the US.
- WADA's 2027 Prohibited List was approved on 10 September 2026 and takes effect on 1 January 2027. Re-check medicines when it does.
- If a medicine is prohibited and no alternative works, the athlete applies for a TUE and waits for the outcome before starting, except in a medical emergency.
How should athletes carry medication through airports?
The advice from GOV.UK, UKAD and TravelHealthPro is consistent:
- Carry medicines in hand luggage, including over-the-counter products.
- Keep them in original pharmacy packaging with the label.
- Take a copy of each prescription and a letter from the prescriber listing the medicines by generic name. TravelHealthPro advises a note on letterhead for controlled substances and injectables.
- Pack enough for the whole trip plus delays, and keep some extra in the hold in case hand luggage is lost or stolen.
- Contact the airline in advance if you carry insulin or other injectables, and check storage needs such as temperature control.
- Liquid medicines over 100ml can go through UK airport security if you can show they are prescribed, for example with a doctor's letter.
UKAD also tells athletes to carry supporting documentation from a medical professional, and to pack supplement powders in the hold, because powders and food products can obstruct x-ray images and cause delays. For team trips, keep a medication list for each traveller with the team doctor, with the person's consent.
What are the rules for controlled drugs?
GOV.UK says to ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medicine contains a controlled drug. If it does, carry proof that it is yours, such as a prescription or a letter from your doctor, and check the destination country's rules with its embassy. Ask rather than assume.
Returning to the UK, GOV.UK says you can bring up to 3 months' supply of your medicine with you. A non-resident's letter should include their name, travel dates, a list of the medicines with amounts, doses and strengths, and the prescriber's signature. You cannot bring schedule 1 drugs into the UK without a licence, so contact the Home Office Drug and Firearms Licensing Unit before travel. For more detail, see our guide to controlled drugs when travelling abroad.
What do destination countries require?
TravelHealthPro says rules vary widely and are often inconsistently enforced, including for over-the-counter medicines. Some countries ban certain medicines, and others require specific permission. Check with the destination's embassy or high commission, and read the FCDO country advice. Medicines for recognised conditions may be closely examined at borders, which can cause delays or confiscation.
Buy what you need before you travel where possible. TravelHealthPro warns that falsified medicines exist and may look genuine, and UKAD warns that medicines bought abroad can have different ingredients from the UK version.
How do athletes check medicines for anti-doping?
- Check each medicine on Global DRO before travel. UKAD says it checks medicines against the WADA Prohibited List for products sold in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK and the US.
- Treat overseas products separately. If there is no database for the country, ask the team doctor or email UKAD with the active ingredients, or check each ingredient on Global DRO.
- Ask for a permitted alternative first. If a medicine is prohibited, UKAD says to ask the doctor whether an alternative is available.
- Apply for a TUE if needed. If there is no alternative, use the TUE wizard and wait for the outcome before starting treatment.
- In a medical emergency, treatment can start first and a retroactive TUE application is submitted as soon as possible. Ask for a copy of the drugs chart and treatment records before discharge.
Responsibility sits with the athlete. UKAD states that the principle of strict liability means athletes are 100 percent responsible for any medication they use. The Prohibited List changes every 1 January, and World Rugby reports that the 2027 list was approved by WADA's Executive Committee on 10 September 2026 and takes effect on 1 January 2027, so any camp or tour that spans the new year needs a re-check.
Global DRO does not assess dietary supplements. Our guide to sports team nutrition while travelling covers supplement risk.
What should the team medical lead do before departure?
- Collect each traveller's medicines and conditions, with consent, at least a few weeks before departure.
- Check controlled drugs, injectables and anything liquid against airline and destination rules.
- Check every medicine on Global DRO and arrange any TUE paperwork with the governing body.
- Prepare prescriber letters and a printed list, and keep the medical kit's contents list with the team.
- Confirm the insurance policy covers pre-existing conditions. GOV.UK warns that failing to declare something may invalidate travel insurance.
- Give the team the local emergency number and nearest hospital. See group travel emergency plan.
How Roamly can help
Roamly Travel builds medical and emergency contacts into trip planning and works with the airline on equipment and group needs through our logistics service. The free emergency contacts tool and travel document checklist are a starting point, and you can contact us about your squad. Medical, legal and anti-doping decisions stay with your clinicians and governing body.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Travelling with controlled drugs
- GOV.UK: Hand luggage restrictions, essential medicines and medical equipment
- TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC): Medicines and travel
- UK Anti-Doping: Checking your medication
- UK Anti-Doping: Summer holiday travel guide for athletes
- World Rugby: WADA publishes 2027 Prohibited List
- GOV.UK: Foreign travel insurance
General guidance only, checked against the sources above on 30 October 2026. Entry rules, airline policies and official advice change, so confirm the current position with the linked source before you travel.