Is Benzodiazepines legal in Egypt?

Legal status

Controlled medicine under Pharmacy Law 127/1955 / Anti-Narcotics Law — diazepam may be carried WITH documentation

Consequences if caught

Art 33: DEATH PENALTY plus a fine of 100,000–500,000 LE for unlicensed import/export, manufacture with intent to traffic, or cultivating/trading Schedule 5 plants (including cannabis). Art 34: death OR life hard labour plus a fine for possession/purchase/sale with intent to traffic. Art 38(1): possession/acquisition WITHOUT trafficking or personal-use intent = 3–10 years hard labour plus a fine of 50,000–200,000 LE. The law applies equally to foreigners, with no minimum-quantity threshold — mere presence of the substance triggers prosecution. Diazepam (a benzodiazepine) is a controlled medicine: it may be carried for legitimate medical use with a doctor's letter, original packaging, a 2–3 month maximum supply and a customs declaration — but undocumented or excess quantities risk prosecution.

If prescribed or medical

Diazepam and some sleep aids may be carried WITH a doctor's letter, original packaging, a 2–3 month maximum supply, and a customs declaration (see documentation).

Documentation

Schedule 1 and Schedule 3(a,b,d) medicines CANNOT be imported even with a foreign prescription — explicitly banned: amphetamine/dexamphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin/Concerta) and methadone; tramadol is banned for recreational use and tightly controlled. Codeine, diazepam and some sleep aids may be carried WITH a doctor's letter, original packaging, a 2–3 month maximum supply, and a customs declaration. (Reference: a 2017 traveller received a 3-year sentence for carrying 290 tramadol tablets.)

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Egypt’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.