🧴 Cough syrup

A standard cough syrup bottle is typically 100–200ml, which means it will be flagged as a liquid exceeding the carry-on limit and confiscated unless you declare it as medically necessary. If you need more than 100ml for your trip, declare it at the screening checkpoint and present the original pharmacy packaging. Medically necessary amounts are permitted past the 100ml limit.

The UAE, China, India, and Russia treat codeine-containing cough syrup as a controlled substance, and importing it without proper documentation can result in serious legal consequences. Standard non-codeine formulas — such as those containing dextromethorphan or guaifenesin — follow standard liquid rules everywhere and do not carry the same risk. If your syrup contains codeine, carry the original prescription and pharmacy packaging, and check the specific entry rules of your destination before travel.

Screeners will identify cough syrup as a liquid on X-ray and check whether the container is within 100ml. If it is medically necessary and over 100ml, they will typically conduct a swab test and verify the pharmacy label. The process is straightforward — having the original packaging and, if relevant, a prescription or doctor's note eliminates any friction at the checkpoint.

For a bottle under 100ml, include it in your carry-on liquids bag — this covers you for a dose during the flight. If you need a larger supply, pack the main quantity in checked baggage and carry a small travel bottle in your liquids bag for in-flight use. Keep codeine-containing syrup in its original prescription packaging regardless of which bag it travels in.