TRAVEL
Travelling with Medication, Alcohol and Controlled Substances
Be prepared, know the rules and travel with confidence.
By Charmaine Noronha | Illustrations by Pete Ryan
Perhaps you’re travelling with alcohol you’re gifting, or buying something special to bring home from the duty-free, or you take medication that you can’t leave at home. Rules for travelling with alcohol, medication and controlled substances vary widely from country to country, but understanding ahead of time what’s allowed can make the difference between an easy journey and unexpected complications at security or the border.
OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
If you need to bring prescription medications on your travels, there are ways to do so safely and legally. Whether you got your medications over the counter or through a doctor’s prescription, every country has different laws governing their possession and use. Can I bring medication on a plane?
As long as your medication is legal in the country you’re travelling in, you can. Medications can exceed 100 mL and don’t need to fit in the standard one-litre liquids bag. Solid medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and antihistamines have no volume restrictions, though some mineral-based powders and supplements are limited to 350 mL.
No matter where you’re travelling, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) suggests packing all liquid, gel and aerosol medications in your carry-on, keeping medications in their original pharmacy-labelled containers, and carrying copies of your prescriptions.
Travelling internationally with prescription medications
Ensure that you can travel in and out of Canada with them, as some medications that are permitted in Canada may be restricted elsewhere. These include several types of drugs, among them narcotics such as morphine and oxycodone, controlled drugs such as amphetamines and anabolic steroids, and targeted substances such as lorazepam, alprazolam and zolpidem.
New Canadian regulations that came into effect in October 2026 allow travellers to carry up to a 90-day supply of legally prescribed controlled medications when entering or leaving Canada, says Harrison Jordan, a lawyer and the founder of Substance Law, a firm that focuses on regulated substances in Canada.
However, not all countries have the same laws. Before you travel, reach out to the country’s foreign representative in Canada for the latest information. The bottom line? It’s always the traveller’s responsibility to ensure that the substances they’re carrying are allowed into the country they’re travelling to.
“Some countries strictly control the import, export or possession of even small amounts of drugs that would otherwise be permitted to possess within Canada,” Jordan says. “One must follow not only Canadian laws, but also the laws of any other jurisdiction they’re going to or coming from.”
“Some countries strictly control the import, export or possession of even small amounts of drugs that would otherwise be permitted to possess within Canada.”
ALCOHOL
You finally got your hands on that coveted bottle of Italian amaro, or you’d like to bring your cousins overseas a bottle of Canadian rye. Are you allowed to travel with alcohol?
Can I take alcohol in my suitcase on a plane?
Alcohol may be carried on domestic and international flights. Restrictions depend on the alcohol content and whether your bottle is in carry-on or checked baggage. Carry-on alcohol generally must meet the 100 mL liquid limit, although larger duty-free purchases are permitted when properly sealed.
In checked baggage, beverages under 24 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) have no specific quantity limit, while alcohol between 24 and 70 percent ABV is limited to five litres per passenger. Alcohol over 70 percent ABV is prohibited on aircraft.
When returning to Canada after 48 hours or more abroad, travellers may bring back 1.5 litres of wine, 1.14 litres of spirits or 8.5 litres of beer duty-free. Additional alcohol must be declared and may be subject to taxes and duties. Keep in mind that you must be of legal drinking age in the province you’re bringing alcohol into. For instance, an 18-year-old can’t bring alcohol into a province where the drinking age is 19, even if they purchased it legally elsewhere.
Travelling with alcohol from Canada If you’re planning to bring alcohol with you on your travels, always check the rules of the destination country before you go. Some countries (for example, Saudi Arabia) have strict laws that prohibit alcohol, and bringing it into the country is a federal offence.
CANNABIS
Even though cannabis is legal to use across Canada, the laws are different once you cross an international border. When travelling with cannabis within Canada, adults may generally possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent, subject to provincial and territorial rules. However, it is illegal to take cannabis and products that contain cannabis across the Canadian border, including products that contain THC and CBD. It is illegal whether you are entering or leaving Canada, whether or not cannabis is legal in the country you are visiting, and no matter the quantity you’re carrying. (It’s also wise to keep in mind that even if you’re travelling within Canada, you would be violating the law if your plane were diverted to the U.S., even for a temporary stopover.) The only exception to this law is if you obtain a medical cannabis exemption, which must be authorized by both Health Canada and the relevant authorities of every country you are visiting or transiting through. Before travelling, be sure to check the latest guidance from CATSA, the Canada Border Services Agency and the Government of Canada. A few minutes of preparation can help ensure a smoother journey. CAA
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