Is Codeine legal in Iraq?
- Legal status
- Codeine is a controlled narcotic under Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law No. 50 of 2017; low-dose codeine is below the trafficking tier absent intent. Iraq imposes death or life for importing/exporting/producing narcotics with intent to trade (Art. 27) and issued 140 drug death sentences in Jan-Aug 2024, but capital exposure attaches to aggravated trafficking, not therapeutic codeine.
- Consequences if caught
- Aggravated narcotic trafficking is death-eligible; unauthorised possession of codeine draws imprisonment, while prescribed use is lawful.
- If prescribed or medical
- Available as medicine: Iraq's INCB estimated requirement for codeine for 2026 is 2,400,000 g (morphine 16,000 g), so licit codeine supply is substantial. Iraq has furnished INCB no traveller regulation ("Information not yet provided by country"), so no published national rule states what a visitor may carry — carry the prescription and original packaging and confirm before travel.
- Documentation
- Ministry of Health prior approval is required for controlled-medicine import - documentation is essential.
- hri.global
- INCB Estimated World Requirements of Narcotic Drugs for 2026 (April update): https://www.incb.org/incb/uploads/documents/Narcotic-Drugs/Status-of-Estimates/2026/EstApr26.pdf
- INCB Country Regulations for Travellers: https://www.incb.org/incb/en/travellers/country-regulations.html
Court records
We have not yet assessed whether court records are publicly available for this jurisdiction.
Codeine in related jurisdictions
Other substances confirmed in Iraq
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Iraq’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 →