Import and Export Licensing

Regulation 4 of The Misuse of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 states that:

“Exceptions for drugs in Schedules 4 and 5 and poppy-straw 4. — (1) Section 3(1) of the Act (which prohibits the importation and exportation of controlled drugs) shall not have effect in relation to the drugs specified in Schedule 5.

(2)The application of section 3(1) of the Act, in so far as it creates an offence, and the application of sections 50(1) to (4), 68(2) and (3) or 170 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, in so far as they apply in relation to a prohibition or restriction on importation or exportation having effect by virtue of section 3 of the Act, are hereby excluded in the case of importation or exportation by any person for administration to himself of any drug specified in Part II of Schedule 4 which is contained in a medicinal product.”

As a consequence, therefore, apart from Schedule 5 controlled drugs and those containing Schedule 4 Part II drugs in a medicinal product for personal use, all other imports and exports to and from the United Kingdom may only lawfully take place under a licence issued by Drug Licensing at the Home Office.

For further information on non-personal imports and exports please go to: www.drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs-laws/licensing/import-export/

Telephone 020 7025 0484 or email licensing_enquiry.aadu@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

For further information on personal exports please go to (link to page)