Key facts
- South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said the rule takes effect on November 12 under an agreement with the Korea Customs Service.
- Travelers may carry up to six bottles of weight-loss medication in hand luggage, or up to a three-month supply if that is more.
- The measure covers medication bought for self-treatment, including Wegovy and Mounjaro, and excludes direct purchases from overseas.
- The ministry acted after complaints that legally prescribed medications were being held back by customs.
South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said on November 11 that people who have legally purchased weight-loss drugs overseas will be able to bring back up to a three-month supply starting November 12, according to a report by Yonhap. The ministry cited an agreement with the Korea Customs Service.
The rule covers medication bought for self-treatment, including Wegovy and Mounjaro. Travelers may carry up to six bottles in hand luggage, or up to a three-month supply even if that exceeds six bottles. The measure does not apply to direct purchases from overseas.
Wegovy and Mounjaro had until now been prohibited from being brought into the country in travelers' hand luggage. The ministry acted after complaints that legally prescribed medications were being held back by customs. A growing number of South Koreans have attempted to buy the medications from neighboring countries because of price differences, the report said.