Is Codeine legal in Malaysia?
- Legal status
- Codeine is a controlled lower-schedule drug under Malaysia's drug laws; it sits below the capital tier (the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 s.39B death penalty is triggered by named drugs such as 15 g or more of heroin/morphine, not codeine).
- Consequences if caught
- Unauthorised possession or supply is an offence (imprisonment and fine); codeine is not death-eligible.
- If prescribed or medical
- Available as medicine: Malaysia’s 2026 INCB estimated requirement for codeine is 130,000 g (dihydrocodeine 80,000 g). Malaysia’s INCB sheet (January 2024) permits 30 days of narcotic and 30 days of psychotropic medicines with a prescription issued in the country of departure plus a doctor’s letter naming the product, posology and total amount.
- Documentation
- Carry a prescription and original packaging; obtain any required import approval for controlled medicines.
- pharmacy.moh.gov.my
- INCB Narcotic Drugs — Estimated World Requirements 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
- incb.org
Court records
We have not yet assessed whether court records are publicly available for this jurisdiction.
Codeine in related jurisdictions
Other substances confirmed in Malaysia
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Malaysia’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 →
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If you’re detained or arrested abroad
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