How to Send Medicine from Nepal to UK: Prescription Rules and Cost
By Pals Courier and Cargo team · Updated 19 October 2026
Quick answer: Yes, you can send medicine from Nepal to UK with Pals Courier if you include a doctor’s prescription and the pharmacy purchase bill, and send no more than 3 months’ supply for one person. Controlled drugs, such as strong painkillers and sleeping pills, cannot be posted to the UK. Medicine is charged at the normal parcel rate, from Rs. 4,000 for 1 kg, and arrives in 4–6 business days.
Many Nepalis in the UK still prefer the medicine their doctor in Nepal prescribed: blood pressure tablets, diabetes medicine, thyroid tablets or a familiar brand of vitamins. Families often ask us whether these can be sent safely by courier.
The answer is usually yes, as long as you follow a few simple rules. This guide explains which papers you need, which medicines cannot be sent, how much it costs and how to pack it.
Send Medicine from Nepal to UK: What You Need
Every parcel to the UK is checked by UK customs. Medicine without papers can be held or destroyed, so prepare these before you book:
| What you need | Why |
|---|---|
| Doctor's prescription | Shows the medicine was prescribed to the person who will use it |
| Pharmacy purchase bill | Shows where it was bought and its value |
| Receiver's name matches the prescription | Medicine must be for the receiver's personal use |
| Up to 3 months' supply | Larger amounts look like stock for sale and can be seized |
Tip: take a clear photo of the prescription and bill and keep it on your phone. Put the paper copies inside the parcel, on top of the medicine.
Which Medicines Can and Cannot Be Sent to the UK?
✓ Usually allowed (with prescription)
- Blood pressure and heart tablets
- Diabetes tablets
- Thyroid medicine
- Gastric and acidity tablets
- Vitamins and supplements in sealed, labelled packs
- Creams and ointments in sealed tubes
✕ Not allowed
- Controlled drugs such as tramadol, codeine and morphine painkillers
- Sleeping pills and anxiety tablets such as alprazolam and diazepam
- Any medicine without a prescription or bill
- More than 3 months' supply
- Loose tablets without the original strip or box
- Medicine to sell or to give to other people
Why are controlled drugs not allowed? The UK Home Office says controlled-drug medicines "cannot be posted to you from overseas". They must be carried in person by the patient when travelling. You can read the official rule on GOV.UK.
Ayurvedic and herbal medicine: factory-packed and labelled products are usually fine, but UK customs may inspect them. Homemade or unlabelled herbal mixtures can be held.
If you are unsure about a medicine, send a photo of the strip or box on WhatsApp to +977-9857083966 before you pack.
How Much Does It Cost to Send Medicine to the UK?
When you send medicine from Nepal to UK with Pals Courier, there is no extra charge for medicine. It is charged at the normal parcel rate. A 3-month supply of tablets usually weighs well under 1 kg, so most families pay the 1 kg price. You can also add medicine to a bigger family parcel.
| Parcel weight | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 kg | Rs. 4,000 |
| 2 kg | Rs. 4,500 |
| 3 kg | Rs. 5,000 |
| 4 kg | Rs. 5,500 |
| 5 kg – 9 kg | Rs. 1,300 per kg |
| 10 kg – 19 kg | Rs. 750 per kg + Rs. 1,500 handling |
See the full price list and calculator on our Nepal to UK courier page.
How to Send Medicine from Nepal to UK in 4 Steps
- Check the medicine: make sure it is not a controlled drug and that you have the prescription and bill.
- Message us: send a photo of the medicine and papers on WhatsApp to +977-9857083966.
- Free pickup: we collect from your home in Kathmandu Valley, or you can bring it to our Khasibazar office.
- We pack and declare: we declare the medicine correctly for UK customs, and you get a tracking number. Delivery takes 4–6 business days.
Packing Tips for Medicine
- Keep tablets in their original strips and boxes with the name and expiry date visible.
- Put all medicine in one zip bag with the prescription and bill.
- Check the expiry date. Send medicine with at least 6 months left.
- Do not send liquid medicine in large bottles. Small sealed bottles are safer.
- Medicine that must be kept in a fridge, such as insulin, should not be sent by courier.
छोटकरीमा (Nepali): नेपालबाट UK मा औषधि पठाउन डाक्टरको प्रेस्क्रिप्सन र फार्मेसीको बिल चाहिन्छ, र एक जनाका लागि बढीमा 3 महिनाको मात्रा मात्र पठाउन मिल्छ। ट्रामाडोल, कोडिन जस्ता कडा दुखाइका औषधि र निद्राका चक्की पठाउन मिल्दैन। औषधिको छुट्टै चार्ज लाग्दैन, 1 केजीको Rs. 4,000 पर्छ। UK पुग्न 4–6 कार्य दिन लाग्छ। सम्पर्क: +977-9857083966
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send medicine from Nepal to UK by courier?
Yes. You need a doctor's prescription and the pharmacy purchase bill, and you can send up to 3 months' supply for the receiver's personal use. Controlled drugs cannot be sent.
Which medicines cannot be sent to the UK?
Controlled drugs such as tramadol, codeine and morphine, sleeping pills and anxiety tablets such as alprazolam and diazepam, medicine without a prescription, and more than 3 months' supply.
Is there an extra charge for sending medicine?
No. Medicine is charged at the normal parcel rate. A 1 kg parcel to the UK costs Rs. 4,000 with Pals Courier.
Can I send ayurvedic medicine to the UK?
Factory-packed and labelled ayurvedic products are usually fine, but UK customs may inspect them. Homemade or unlabelled herbal mixtures can be held.
Can I send insulin to the UK?
No. Medicine that must be kept cold, such as insulin, should not be sent by courier because it can spoil during the journey.
How long does medicine take to reach the UK?
Parcels from Nepal reach the UK in 4–6 business days after dispatch. Customs checks can occasionally add a day or two.
Send Your Parcel to the UK with Pals Courier
1 kg Rs. 4,000 · 20 kg and above Rs. 675/kg · delivery in 4–6 business days · free pickup in Kathmandu Valley. See the full price list and calculator on our Nepal to UK courier page.
Call +977-9857083966 WhatsApp UsPals Courier and Cargo Pvt. Ltd. (Reg. No. 334797/80/081) · National Business Trade Center Building, Ward No. 14, Khasibazar, Kathmandu · Sun–Fri 8 AM–8 PM, Sat 12 PM–8 PM · akur@palscourier.com