bringing medicines to China for a year's supply

[p0mmes_frites]

I will be in Beijing for a year, so I buyed some medicine like antiallergics, vitamins, pain killers, pills for cold etc. All these can be bought unprescribed in my country, so I don't have any doctor's prescription. Do they want to look for doctor's prescription at the airport? Or can I just go through? In order not to waste too many space in my luggage, I removed the pills from their cartoon packs. Do I need to put them in their original packages? Will I be able to go through the customs without any trouble? What do you suggest?

[xiaocai]

In order not to waste too much space in your luggage why don't you just buy them in Beijing...? But I don't think there would be much problem as long as the active ingredients are clearly indicated on the individual packages if you really want to bring your own.

[tboasis7]

all of that stuff is readily available in any pharmacy in Beijing... you should be fine not bringing it all. Save some space like Xiaocai said

[Chinadoog]

You might not be able to find everything you want in Beijing. I went to several stores in Chengdu and couldn't find Vitamin D3. Actually I suggest bringing some Vitamin D to China especially if you're living in a big city with air pollution which means little sun exposure.

[jbradfor]

why don't you just buy them in Beijing

Because China is known for having contaminated and fraudulent drugs. Because of language issues. Frankly, I'd rather leave my clothing at home and buy that in Beijing instead.

That said, bringing a year's supply might be excessive. You might consider bringing at least a couple of month's supply, and then going from there. People can mail it to you. Or, if you go home to visit, you can bring more back.

Obviously, leaving them in unopened boxes is best. But it takes more room. OTOH, if you leave them in boxes, it will ensure you have more room in your luggage for your return trip home for all the stuff you buy!

[p0mmes_frites]

now I am leaving all of them in their original boxes. By the way, the quantity of the medicine I will bring is not too much, maybe it was wrong of me to say a year's supply :rolleyes: After all, I don't take too much medicine in my normal life, I just wanted to provide guarantee in case of a flu etc. I assume now that there won't be any problem. Thx for all the replies