Exemption From Import/Export Requirements for Personal Medical Use

The Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (CSI&EA) authorizes the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to accommodate travelers who have a legitimate medical need for controlled substances during their journey. The CSI&EA allows DEA to issue a regulation exempting travelers from application of the CSI&EA requirements regarding importation and exportation of controlled substances. Such a regulation has existed since the CSI&EA came into effect in 1971. However, in recent years, Congress became aware that this regulation was being exploited by some individuals as a means of bringing controlled substances into the United States for illicit use. For this reason, Congress amended the CSI&EA in 1998 to place additional restrictions on the importation of controlled substances for personal use. In this document, DEA is proposing to amend its regulations to expressly incorporate the restrictions on personal use importation imposed by Congress in 1998 and to expand upon those restrictions to curtail diversion that has continued even after the 1998 congressional amendment. Specifically, DEA is proposing to limit to 50 dosage units the total amount of controlled substances that a United States resident may bring into the United States for legitimate personal medical use when returning from travel abroad.