Codeine (Medication) 🇦🇺 Australia
Prescription required since 2018
Can I bring Codeine (Medication) into Australia?
Prescription required since 2018
Full details
Codeine in Australia is Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) since the 2018 reclassification — even low-dose combination products previously sold OTC now require a prescription. Travelers may import a 3-month supply for personal use under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) personal-importation scheme; declaration on the Incoming Passenger Card is required, and the prescription or doctor's letter must be available for inspection. Quantities above 3 months trigger TGA Authorised Prescriber requirement.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 444–2664 AUD
- Civil penalty only
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
Leaving Australia with codeine (medication)
Codeine-containing medications are controlled substances under the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958; Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 framework. Personal-use quantities accompanied by the prescription and pharmacist dispensing label are generally permitted for export. Codeine-combination cough and cold products may be over-the-counter in some jurisdictions but still controlled for cross-border movement above threshold quantities. Personal export above the standard personal-use limit requires an TGA export permit for schedule 8 substances above threshold. Destination-country rules on codeine import are more restrictive in many jurisdictions (Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, some Gulf states) and should be verified independently.
Keep in original packaging with pharmacy label. Carry prescription separately.
3 months supply
- Prescription
- Doctor's letter
Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, SUSMP Schedule 4
This page covers destination customs rules in Australia. Whether you can carry codeine (medication) through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Codeine (Medication) rules in other countries
Codeine (Medication)
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Controlled narcotic. Must declare and carry a valid prescription and Ministry of Health permit.
Codeine (Medication)
🇯🇵 Japan
Requires a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate for quantities exceeding one month's supply.
Codeine (Medication)
🇸🇬 Singapore
Controlled drug. Requires prior authorisation from HSA for amounts exceeding 3 days' supply.
Codeine (Medication)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Prescription-only since 2021 reclassification
Codeine (Medication)
🇩🇪 Germany
BtM prescription required
Codeine (Medication)
🇨🇦 Canada
Available OTC in low doses; prescription for higher