Courier medicines to the UK from India — MHRA rules, documents and charges

Rules & rates last verified: 15 August 2026 · by Mrs. Madhu Satija, Managing Director, CargoCharges

Yes — prescription medicines can be couriered from India to the UK for personal use, up to a 3-month supply, under the MHRA personal import allowance. We ship on DHL, UPS or our Self network with a ₹2,000 medicine handling premium; controlled drugs (opioids, benzodiazepines, strong painkillers) are refused because they need a Home Office licence.

The rules that apply

MHRA personal import allowance: up to a 3-month supply of prescription-only medicine for personal use.
Controlled drugs on the UK misuse-of-drugs schedules (opioids, benzodiazepines, codeine combinations above OTC strength) require a Home Office licence — we refuse these outright.
A ₹2,000 medicine handling premium applies; carriers on this lane: DHL, UPS or Self network only.
UK Border Force may ask the receiver to evidence the prescription — the paperwork we attach usually settles it without contact.

Charges: standard rate + ₹2,000 medicines premium

Your parcel is charged at the normal UK rate for its weight — from the carriers that accept medicines on this lane (DHL, UPS, Self) — plus a one-time ₹2,000 handling premium. Worked example: 2 kg ≈ ₹2,574 (Self) + ₹2,000 premium = ₹4,574, excl. 18% GST. Express option: 2 kg ≈ ₹3,492 (UPS, 2-3 Working Days) + ₹2,000 premium = ₹5,492, excl. 18% GST. Economy transit: 6-12 Working Days from Delhi dispatch, with free pickup across Delhi NCR.

Documents you need

Prescription in the patient's name (NHS or Indian prescription, dated within 6 months)
Pharmacy purchase bill
Receiver's UK address with postcode and phone
Ingredient/strength labels visible on original packaging — no loose strips

Limits & what is not accepted

Maximum 3-month supply per shipment (MHRA personal import)
No controlled-schedule drugs without a Home Office licence — we do not handle licensed shipments
No refrigerated/cold-chain items via standard express
Original manufacturer packaging only

📞 Unsure about your specific items? Send us the list on WhatsApp +91 97186 61166 — we confirm shippability before you pack, free.

Medicines to UK — FAQs

Is a UK doctor's prescription needed, or does an Indian one work?

An Indian prescription is accepted for personal imports — it evidences the medicines are prescribed to the receiver. Keep it in the patient's name and under 6 months old; a UK GP letter helps but is not mandatory.

Can I send codeine-based painkillers to the UK?

Only OTC-strength combinations; anything on the controlled schedules needs a Home Office import licence, which courier parcels do not get — we refuse those at booking to protect you from seizure.

What does shipping medicines to the UK cost?

For example: 2 kg ≈ ₹2,574 (Self) + ₹2,000 premium = ₹4,574, excl. 18% GST. GST of 18% applies on the total bill.

How long do medicine parcels to the UK take?

Transit is 6-12 Working Days from Delhi dispatch on the medicine-eligible carriers; Border Force document checks are uncommon with complete paperwork.

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Mrs. Madhu Satija — Managing Director, CargoCharges. 25+ years in international logistics; these rules reflect what our carriers and customs partners enforce on real shipments, updated as carrier policy changes.