Homeopathy Medicines

[txh1b]

Does anyone have any experience with homeopathy medicine in US? Any specific procedure to bring the medicines to US? Are they considered like herbal products or should we have a prescription for these to be allowed through customs?

Any one that has brought medicines from India, can you detail your experience or what the procedure is?

[JStone]

My experience

I had brought it once. Just to be on the safer side, I did bring the prescription too. I did not face any issues. I was not questioned by customs department. I think no specific procedure to be followed, you should be fine bringing it(Better to have the prescription to show at POE, if questioned by a CBP officer).

[txh1b]

Thanks. I found a CBP manual that has some info. Researching into it further as the medicine from India may not have these listed.

In HQ 964882 and HQ 964188, we stated that homeopathic products
that do not contain a significantly detectable amount of the
claimed active ingredient should not be classified in chapter 30,
HTSUS, as medicaments. However, upon further consideration, we
no longer are of the view that the relevant standard in classifying
homeopathic products is our ability to detect the presence of the active
ingredient. Homeopathic products are considered to be drugs by
the FDA. They all must comply with the standards listed in the Homeopathic
Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS). They all
must be packaged with statements of the specific diseases, ailments
or their symptoms for which the product is to be used, the concentration
of active substance or substances contained therein, the recommended
dosage and the mode of application. They are all marketed
and sold in relation to a disease, condition, or ailment which they
purport to treat. If the condition is a very serious one, e.g. cancer,
they are sold only by prescription. Hence, we find that in the context
of homeopathic products, the outcome of the principal use test
should not be based on the degree of dilution of the active ingredient
in the homeopathic product. Therefore, we no longer believe that
classifying homeopathic products according to the dilution of the active
ingredient is correct.
As stated in the proposed notice, this revocation will cover any rulings
on this issue which may exist but have not been specifically
identified. Any party, who has received an interpretive ruling or decision
(i.e., ruling letter, internal advice memorandum or decision or
protest review decision) on the issue subject to this notice, should
have advised CBP during the notice period.

[txh1b]

Any other opinions? Some say they are considered OTC type medications. I am particularly concerned as I donno what the actual ingredients of the small sugar balls are!

[Marius Titulescu]

Homeopathy does not work. Please don't waste your money.