Sending medicine to the USA
Updated Oct 1, 2026 · prices pulled live from the UCargo price list
Does a family member in the US need the medicine they are used to in Vietnam? UCargo ships Western medicine and traditional Vietnamese and Chinese herbal medicine to the USA, with a surcharge of 30,000₫/kg by both air and sea. Medicine is controlled by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so prepare it properly to avoid your parcel being held.
What to know before sending medicine to the USA
- Send personal-use quantities only — under the policy of the FDA (the US drug regulator), personal medicine is generally considered when it is no more than a 3-month supply and the recipient confirms it is for their own use; the FDA decides case by case, so nothing is guaranteed. Large quantities are easily treated as commercial goods and held.
- Keep the original boxes, blister packs, labels and leaflets; do not tip them into plastic bags.
- Prescription medicine: include a copy of the prescription or doctor's note (with the patient's name) — it helps show the medicine is part of ongoing treatment.
- Traditional herbal medicine: seal it well and label each herb clearly; do not send ingredients from rare wild animals.
Not accepted for the USA: The USA does not accept: CITES-listed goods (rare wild animals and plants and products made from them), compressed aerosol sprays, power banks (only small batteries built into devices), food with less than 2 months to expiry or fresh produce.
UCargo staff review your list of medicines and advise before accepting — anything that cannot be sent is flagged straight away.
Cost of sending medicine
Freight by weight + medicine surcharge 30,000₫/kg. Medicine is light, so it usually falls in the 0–5kg bracket. See the Ship to the USA price list.
Example: sending 2kg of medicine to California (Express Air — California): freight 2,126,000₫ + goods surcharge 60,000₫ — estimate 2,186,000₫.
Packing
Put medicine in zip bags by type and place them in a sturdy box; liquid medicine (syrups, medicated oils) should be wrapped as carefully as any liquid. See how to pack.
Need a quote for your goods?
Tell the UCargo assistant what you're sending and the weight — get an estimate in seconds, with pickup at your door in HCMC.
Shipping rates to the USA ›Frequently asked questions
Is medicine sent to the USA taxed?
Personal-use quantities of low value are usually not taxed; if the value exceeds the US duty-free threshold, duties may apply under the destination's rules.
What is the surcharge for sending medicine to the USA?
30,000₫/kg, added to the freight by weight.
Can I send medicated oil and balms (dầu gió, cao xoa)?
Yes, but they are liquids — seal them tightly and pack them in a foam box; our team will tell you if a liquid surcharge applies.