Customs rules limit pill-poppers’ freedom

Importer must sign declaration form CARRY YOUR aspirins through customs with care Medicine imports are subject to permits issued by the Medicines Control Council (MCC) and may only be imported through the airports or harbours at Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Durban, or at Johannesburg International Airport (JIA). According to Safcor Panalpina, imports by individuals of medicines for their own use - and which are not registered by the MCC - are subject to special authorisation by the council. According to the regulations, each import consignment of medicines of Schedule 5 or higher requires an import declaration (form MBR 20) which has to be signed by the importer and lodged with customs at the time of clearance. This can’t be done by a forwarding agent, as they are not legally permitted to prepare or sign these declarations. For the aspirin carrier, the ruling is that arriving or departing travellers may take with them not more than one month’s supply of prescription medicines - and these have to be accompanied by a valid prescription and a certificate of confirmation from the doctor who issued the prescription.