Is Barbiturates legal in New Zealand?
- Legal status
- Barbiturates are Class C controlled drugs (Schedule 3, Misuse of Drugs Act 1975) — the class is scheduled by compound (secobarbital, pentobarbital, amobarbital, phenobarbital, barbital) and is also regulated under the Medicines Act 1981.
- Consequences if caught
- Class C possession up to 3 months and/or a $500 fine; supplying up to 8 years.
- If prescribed or medical
- Phenobarbital is prescribed as a Class C antiepileptic (a WHO Essential Medicine); the sedative-hypnotic barbiturates are rarely used.
- Documentation
- Personal import up to a 1-month supply; declare it and keep it in the original container with a prescription or doctor's letter.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with New Zealand’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →