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Bringing prescription drugs into Guatemala

9 years ago
We will be arriving in Guatemala using the 90 day tourist visa, but we plan to extend it and stay a full 6 months before heading back to the States. So we'll be gone for 6 months. I have a lot of prescription medications that I take on a regular basis, and in most cases I have been able to get enough on hand to cover me for the full 6 months. In addition, due to previous bariatric surgery, I have to take special vitamins and calcium and will be bringing a 6 month supply of those as well (which are 7 large bottles full of capsules, in original containers).

I'm a bit worried about how Guatemalan customs might react to such large volumes of medications. All of the prescription items are in labeled containers with my name on the label, but it's still a lot of stuff.

Questions:

- Should I declare this on the form as drugs? Or is that question just referring to items for resale?

- Will I owe any taxes or duty for these personal medications, since it is 6 months worth?

- Anything advice you can share about how best to approach this with immigration will be appreciated!

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