How to Travel With Vitamins

If you take vitamins or supplements on a regular basis, chances are you will want to take them along with you when you travel. While vitamins don’t qualify as drugs, there are still things you should keep in mind when packing your pills to go. If you’re going to be traveling for an extended period of time, it might also make more sense to simply buy the vitamins once you arrive at your destination.

Find out in advance if there are specific regulations in the country you’re traveling to. Some countries may have more strict rules about bringing over-the-counter medication through customs, especially if the pills are not in their original containers. You can usually check regulations by calling the embassy of the country you’re traveling to or by searching online.

Rules for Carrying Medicinal Pills or Vitamins in Your Carry-on Luggage

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Keep the vitamins in their original containers if possible. Sealed containers are best. If you usually buy large bottles, consider getting smaller, travel-size supplies so that you can take them with you, unopened, through customs and security points.

Use small Ziploc bags to store your vitamins if you’re traveling within the country. There are no baggage-search rules for local travel. This applies whether you’re flying, taking the train or riding the bus. A bag is a good idea if the original bottle is large. This way you can just take enough pills to last you for the days you’re away.

How to Freeze Vitamins

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Use a pill organizer if you take more than one vitamin. These are usually long, rectangular plastic containers with seven divisions (one for each day of the week). Place enough pills for the day in each compartment, or double up if you’re going away for more than a week.