I'm taking my first trip to Europe. I've traveled lots of places in the world, especially in Asia.

I'm an American. The only two places in the world where I've ever been searched have been when going through customs in Canada and Singapore. I know that the U.S normally searches everything for foreigners, including shoes, camera, etc. I think it's ridiculous, but that's another topic.

So... I take a lot of nutritional supplements, vitamins, and herbs on a daily basis. All of these things are legal. I'm NOT talking about illegal things like marijuana. What I'm talking about are supplements for health and Chinese herbs.

But here is what I worry about... when traveling through Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine... what is ie like going through immigration / customs? I mean, do they normally search all of the bags of foreigners? Because what I worry about is my legal supplements being mistaken for something illegal. Also, if I get searched, then how do I explain this when I can't speak the local language? I don't have any "papers" for any items, because I've bought everything from the Internet in the U.S or brought them from China.

Again... I want to say that everything is 100% legal. But the problem is that regardless of what country... most customs officers may not be familiar with every type of material thing. So an officer can easily confuse things. I'm not looking for a way to get around the rules. But if a customs officer looks at some of my supplements, then I'm afraid it's easy to mistake things or assume it's something illegal. So I'm traveling for three months, that's why I want to bring all of my important things with me.

Most countries in Asia they don't care. They stamp your passport. That's it. Singapore is really the only country where they seem to enjoy searching my bags every time I travel there. It's really an embarrassment and an invasion of privacy. That's another topic... By the way, I love Singapore, but I hate how for some reason they always suspect me. I mean, I'm young (so it's unfair discrimination). But I'm always friendly to people.

I also have some prescription medicines... three of which are from the U.S with a doctor's prescription. Another two are from China without a prescription. Is there any problem to bring the ones with or without a prescription?

I seriously worry about this... because I don't take these supplements / medicines everyday BUT when I need to take it... then I should have it available. Some of the medicines may be very difficult to find. So if I'm traveling in the middle of Bulgaria, etc. then I don't think I'll be able to find it.

I've read that for the Schengen area that usually there isn't any customs. What about for the eastern European and Balkan countries? This is really my main experience. I'm just seeking some information from other Americans or travelers who have been through these countries. Or even some locals who have some experience with this.

Thank you to anyone who can provide some insight into this question. So I can stop worrying... It's easy to worry when traveling to a new destination.

I feel like I forgot to add some important information.

I'll be flying to Europe. But after that I plan to travel only by bus and train.

If case anyone is curious about my "prescription medications"... I'm talking about benzopendrines (Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, etc.), which I'm prescribed for social anxiety (yes, it's real). So actually I do need these especially for travel... crowded places can be difficult for me because I get nervous.

It's mainly just the additional supplements and herbs that I take for health that I'm curious about...

Of the countries on your list, I've been to Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania. None of them searched my bags, though I did arrive at all of them through land or sea crossings. Actually, Bulgaria and Romania were really slack, as they pretty much just ignored all the people who were crossing with cartons and cartons of duty-free cigarettes stuffed down their pants. At none of these crossings did the officials so much as say a word to us while they stamped us through.

The only concern that I would have is to make sure that nothing you're taking is legal at home, but illegal elsewhere. Given the insanity level of American drug policy, I doubt there is anything, but so long as you are not actually doing something illegal, your absolute worst case scenario is getting hassled. Even that I'd rate as unlikely.

With the prescription meds, you definitely should have a prescription, though it's unlikely that anyone will ask for it, or even know that you have them. Better to be prepared than get in trouble, no matter how unlikely.

That is a difficult one! In some countries drugs that are legal at home are deemed illegal - for instance codein is illegal in Dubai. But in Asia you can buy valium and xanax over the counter in any pharmacy. Each country is different. I wonder if you could check with your doctor or your embassy.
Definately take a copy of the scripts from your doctor. Could your doc write a letter for the other drugs /supplements for you?

The only time I've ever had my bag checked in eastern Europe was going from Ukraine to Slovakia. They had good reason to be searching there, because nearly everyone else on the bus got busted for smuggling cigarettes They did not search my bag thoroughly, just had a peak and let me on the bus again. Guess I don't look like a smuggler I would guess if none of the stuff you take looks like illegal drugs, you'd be fine. Keeping everything in the original packaging (so it looks more like common medicine than illegal drugs) would probably help a lot.

One thing to note is that (for some odd reason), codeine is illegal in Greece, so don't bring anything with codeine in it, even regular cough syrup or painkillers.

My husband takes prescription drugs every day and on our round the world trip he had a letter from his GP stating the reason he takes the drug and the Name address and telephone number for anyone to ring in case of query.
Can't see how suppliments are a problem at all, we took tubs of glucosumine and Omega 3 and didn't have any problems, weren't even asked in any country what they were.
Jean

These are all such great replies! Thank you everybody. I feel a bit more ease about taking the things I need with me while traveling through eastern Europe.

One person mentioned about cigarettes. It's ironic because I neither drink nor smoke (anymore). I just love my supplements. My meds I just need for generalized anxiety.

Yeah, Jean. I normally take an Omega 3-6-9 supplements too. Although, I won't be bringing that because I have one of the extra large containers, hehe.

Some of the supplements and herbs I have are not common, so that's why I wanted to ask.