Planning a trip to Georgia? Whether you’re visiting for tourism, business, medical treatment, or a long-term stay, it’s important to understand the country’s medication import regulations. While most common medicines are allowed for personal use, Georgia enforces strict rules for controlled, narcotic, and psychotropic substances.
These regulations are governed by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia and related legal acts under Georgian law.
Standard Medicines – What You Can Bring Without Documentation
Travelers may bring into Georgia:
- Up to 10 standard packages per medication
- For personal use only
- Without medical documentation
This applies to most prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and vitamins.
Important: Medicines must be in their original packaging with clearly visible names and active ingredients.
Bringing More Than 10 Packages
If your stay requires more than 10 packages of a medication, you must carry proper medical documentation:
- A valid prescription
- A doctor’s note confirming the diagnosis and treatment
- Dosage details (daily dose × number of days of stay)
- An English translation (strongly recommended)
Customs officers may verify the quantity against the duration of your stay.
Specially Controlled Substances
Georgia maintains special control lists (I–IV) covering substances with a high addiction risk or public health impact. These include certain narcotic and psychotropic medications.
You may only bring such medicines into Georgia with official medical documentation.
Official legal framework: Law of Georgia on Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, Precursors and Narcological Assistance.
Common Restricted Substances
Strict regulations apply to medicines containing substances such as:
- Codeine
- Dihydrocodeine
- Acetyldihydrocodeine
- Ethylmorphine
- Pholcodine
- Ephedrine
- Pseudoephedrine
- Norephedrine
This also includes combination cold and flu medications containing these ingredients.
Warning: Illegal import or export of narcotic or psychotropic substances is a criminal offence under Georgian law.
31-Day Supply Rule for Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs
Travelers may carry up to a 31-day supply of narcotic or psychotropic medication for personal treatment if they present:
- An English-translated prescription
- A certified medical certificate from the prescribing doctor
- Official authentication from the competent authority in the country of departure
Additional authorization from the state regulatory agency may be required to export such medication from Georgia.
Relevant authority: State Regulation Agency for Medical Activities.
Postal Shipments
Specially controlled substances are prohibited from being imported or exported by mail, except in legally defined exceptional cases.
Medication may be confiscated and destroyed if:
- The original packaging is missing
- The packaging is damaged
- The active ingredients cannot be identified
- The product has lost its commercial appearance
Transit Passengers
If you are transiting through Georgia, the same rules apply. Always carry medications in their original packaging along with full medical documentation.
Practical Travel Tips
- Keep medications in their original packaging
- Carry prescriptions in English
- Check ingredients for codeine or pseudoephedrine
- Bring documentation for chronic conditions
- Contact the Georgian embassy if you are unsure
You can find additional travel information through the official portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
Final Advice
Most travelers enter Georgia with medication without issues, provided they respect the quantity limits and documentation requirements. However, controlled and narcotic substances are strictly regulated.
When in doubt, consult your doctor and contact the official Georgian authorities before travelling. Proper preparation ensures a smooth and stress-free entry into the country.
