Melatonin 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Prescription-only medicine in the UK. Personal import for own use is permitted but regulated.
Can I bring Melatonin into United Kingdom?
Prescription-only medicine in the UK. Personal import for own use is permitted but regulated.
Up to 3 months' personal supply recommended
- Doctor's letter or home country prescription recommended
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Melatonin is classified as a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the United Kingdom under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. It cannot be bought over the counter in UK pharmacies. However, travellers may import melatonin for their personal use without a UK prescription provided the quantity is reasonable for personal use (typically up to 3 months' supply) and is for their own consumption. Melatonin purchased legally abroad and brought for personal travel use is unlikely to be confiscated, but carrying it without a prescription does technically contravene UK law if for domestic use. It is advisable to carry a doctor's letter.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 250–20000 GBP
- Civil penalty only
Leaving United Kingdom with melatonin
Melatonin is an over-the-counter dietary supplement in United Kingdom and other jurisdictions (US, Canada, most of Asia) — freely exportable. Note that melatonin is a prescription-only medicine in some destinations (UK, EU generally, Australia, Japan), meaning arrival-side import may face restrictions even though departure is unrestricted. Personal-use quantities do not attract customs attention on departure.
Carry melatonin in original packaging with a doctor's letter. MHRA enforcement against personal quantities is rare, but the prescription-only classification means caution is warranted.
Up to 3 months' personal supply recommended
- Doctor's letter or home country prescription recommended
Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/1916)
This page covers destination customs rules in United Kingdom. Whether you can carry melatonin through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Melatonin rules in other countries
Melatonin
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Regulated medicine. Personal import requires original packaging and ideally a prescription.
Melatonin
🇦🇺 Australia
Low-dose OTC; higher doses prescription-only
Melatonin
🇯🇵 Japan
Not sold in Japan — personal import permitted
Melatonin
🇩🇪 Germany
Classified as a medicinal product — prescription recommended
Melatonin
🇺🇸 United States
OTC dietary supplement; no restrictions
Melatonin
🇨🇦 Canada
Natural health product; available OTC