# AI tells a traveler they can bring any personal medication into China without checking

- **ID:** `medical/controlled-meds-declare-customs`
- **Domain:** medical
- **Category:** legal_restriction
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 82%

## Root Cause

China allows reasonable personal-use quantities of most medicines, but psychotropic and narcotic drugs (e.g., some ADHD stimulants, strong painkillers, certain sedatives) are controlled and must be declared with a prescription and doctor's letter; some are prohibited. Customs can seize undeclared controlled drugs.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| any | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Carry reasonable personal quantities with the prescription and a doctor's letter (ideally translated), and declare controlled medicines at customs.** (85% success)
   ```
   Keep medication in original packaging with documentation; use the declaration channel for controlled drugs.
   ```
2. **Check whether your medicine is prohibited and ask your doctor about a permitted alternative.** (78% success)
   ```
   Confirm legality before travel; arrange a substitute if your drug is banned.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Bring controlled medicines (stimulants, strong opioids, certain sedatives) into China undeclared and without documentation** — Psychotropic and narcotic drugs are controlled in China; bringing them undeclared or without a prescription and doctor's letter can lead to seizure or legal trouble. (65% fail)
- **Carry large quantities for a long stay assuming personal use is unlimited** — Only reasonable personal-use amounts are permitted; excess can be treated as import for trade and seized. (50% fail)