Is Codeine legal in Egypt?
- Legal status
- Codeine is a narcotic-table substance under Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960 (with Law 122/1989); low-dose codeine is dispensed medically. Egypt has executed for drug trafficking, and the death penalty attaches to producing/importing/trafficking narcotic-table substances with trafficking intent - capital exposure attaches only at aggravated trafficking, not to therapeutic codeine.
- Consequences if caught
- Aggravated narcotic trafficking is death-eligible; unauthorised possession of codeine draws imprisonment plus fines, and undocumented traveller imports have led to detention.
- If prescribed or medical
- Dispensed as a controlled narcotic-table prescription medicine on a controlled register.
- Documentation
- Prior Ministry of Health approval is required to import controlled narcotics - carry a prescription and original packaging; the 1960 law applies equally to foreigners.
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.
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 →