Even for seasoned travelers, navigating international customs (and even domestic TSA) can be somewhat nerve-racking. Will the slices of Italian prosciutto tucked between your T-shirts make it through? Will you get in trouble for the banana at the bottom of your carry-on? While these kinds of situations can be disappointing or stressful, they also have a certain comedic quality about them.

Less funny? When the thing taken at customs is your prescription medication. Whether you use it for a chronic condition like high cholesterol or ulcerative colitis, or you have something like an EpiPen in case of an emergency, having these medications with you on your trip is a necessity. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your meds make it to the final destination.

1. Make sure it’s legal

Before booking anything related to your trip, make sure your medications are legal in the country you want to visit. Some drugs readily available in the U.S. are against the law to have in other countries. “A classic example is stimulants prescribed to people with ADHD,” says Eddy Bajrovic, who holds a bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery and is the medical director of Travelvax Australia, a travel medicine service. “Stimulants are illegal in quite a number of countries, including Japan.”

Start by visiting the International Narcotics Control Board website, which provides lists by country detailing what is and isn’t allowed. You could also check directly with the foreign embassy of the country you will be entering. Remember: Don’t just confirm your meds are safe to bring into your final destination—also check any countries where you have layovers. And if a country you want to visit doesn’t allow your prescription medication, it’s up to you whether you still want to travel there or not. “You have to decide if you can manage without your medications for the trip,” says Bajrovic. Your health care provider will be able to discuss your options with you. For example, there may be another medication that isn’t a controlled substance that you could take instead while traveling.

2. Pack a doctor’s note

Even if a medication is legal, you’re going to want to follow a few “best practices” to ensure you don’t hit any snags. For one thing, avoid tossing your meds into a travel-friendly pill case, as they can make it difficult for authorities to identify the drugs. (You can still bring one with you, though! They’re great for carrying a few pills when you’re out and about, once you’ve reached your destination.) “Generally speaking, have the medication in its original packaging, whether it’s a box or a bottle, since it has a sticker on it saying who prescribed it, your name, and dosage instructions,” Bajrovic says. “And it’s probably a good idea to carry a copy of the written prescription as well, or, if you don’t have that, at least a letter from your doctor saying you’re carrying X medication for X disease or condition.” This can be especially important if you take an injectable medication for conditions like ulcerative colitis or type 2 diabetes, since you’ll be traveling with a needle. In the letter from your doctor, make sure the medication is described by its generic name, since different countries have different brand names.

3. Bring the right amount

You don’t want to bring too little or too much of your medication. “Most countries allow you to bring up to a three-month supply, but if it’s a narcotic or stimulant or psychotropic medication, you might only be allowed to bring in 30 days,” says Bajrovic. His advice: Take enough for the length of your trip with a few days extra in case of a flight delay.

4. Be open about what you have

This may sound obvious, but when going through customs, you should declare any medication you are carrying. “A lot of people don’t mention it if it’s something basic like blood pressure medication or an anti-inflammatory for arthritis, but if it’s something that might be illegal and you aren’t entirely sure, you must declare it,” says Bajrovic. A few you should absolutely speak up about: medical marijuana, certain decongestants, and amphetamines. “If something is illegal—even if you didn’t know—and don’t declare it, you can be arrested,” he says.

5. Don’t forget about domestic flights

Even if you aren’t traveling internationally, you may still need to take a few precautions if you’re bringing more than 3.4 ounces of a liquid medication through TSA. Let the agent know at security, as they may need to do some additional screening before allowing you through.

While doing all this advanced work can seem like a lot, it beats the alternative: not having your medication with you on your trip (or worse, getting fined or detained because of something in your suitcase).

No Global Entry, no problem at several of America’s busiest airports.

Passengers returning home to the U.S. from a trip abroad can now speed far more quickly through passport control (and without pulling out a passport) at more than a half-dozen major hubs. And you don’t need a membership, an interview or a fee to qualify for access.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently expanded its new program called Enhanced Passenger Processing, which uses high-tech software and a biometric scan to quickly clear U.S. travelers, and move them through the international arrivals area.

The new process almost feels a little like the agency’s fast-tracked Global Entry program, but without the $120 application fee — and it could make for an enticing alternative for travelers who leave the country only once a year or so.

“It’s really a game-changer for us in how we welcome U.S. citizens back home to the U.S.,” Diane Sabatino, CBP acting executive assistant commissioner, said at a news conference at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on Friday.

How Enhanced Passenger Processing works

Enhanced Passenger Processing, or “EPP,” quietly debuted nine months ago as part of a trial at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

Early results were promising, reducing passport control wait times for U.S. citizens by 25%, CBP reported; that means less time standing in line after a long flight — easily one of the least enjoyable parts of an international trip.

Travelers using EPP walk up to a tablet to have their photo taken. They don’t need to pull out a passport or any other documentation; the program compares image taken in that moment to passport or visa photos CBP already has on file.

I watched one traveler after another use the service at DFW Friday, and saw most were cleared within a matter of seconds. In some cases, the officer supervising the lane asked the traveler a question or two about their trip details, and then most were on their way.

“The entire process is touchless, it’s efficient and it’s secure,” Sabatino said Friday.

It’s also increasingly available at many of the nation’s busiest international gateways, and one CBP preclearance facility overseas.

Where is Enhanced Passenger Processing available?

Last month, TPG reported on the technology’s arrival at Orlando International Airport (MCO), perennially one of the country’s biggest destinations for vacationers.

Beyond DFW and Orlando, CBP has also now expanded EPP to:

• Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
• Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• Dublin Airport (DUB) in Ireland, where passengers are screened prior to a flight to the U.S.

CBP notes that offering this faster processing option for U.S. citizens has also reduced wait times for non-citizens, by freeing up lane space and officers — which means more lanes available for visitors.

During the new program’s trial phase at DFW, maximum wait times for non-U.S. citizens dropped from over 50 minutes, the agency said, to less than 35 minutes.

A better option than Global Entry?

To be clear, no other passport control program — even this new EPP — tops the speed of Global Entry, particularly as CBP works to speed up that paid program with newer, higher-tech tools.

Global Entry remains a top “hack” for travelers who frequently fly overseas, offering both the ultra-fast trip through passport control — along with access to the TSA PreCheck lanes.

Read more: How to apply for Global Entry: Tips for first-timers

However, travelers who fly internationally less frequently may be less enthused about the $120 enrollment fee, which is good for five years (though some credit cards will reimburse the fee).

Mobile Passport Control a third alternative

There’s another time-saving option for travelers who:

• Don’t have Global Entry
• Are arriving at an airport that doesn’t yet have the new EPP
• Or, who don’t want to use EPP

The widely-available Mobile Passport Control program allows passengers to submit some personal information ahead of their arrival via mobile app, before proceeding to a dedicated line for processing.

Bottom line

Whatever program you choose, there’s now a myriad of ways to skip the longest lines after a long-haul flight.

“We’re not all-in on one solution,” Sabatino said. “We want to make sure we have as broad a suite of options to all the different types of travelers that come through.”

Despite some concerns about travel demand this summer, airlines have said demand for international trips remains strong among U.S. customers. The recent Memorial Day weekend brought two of the busiest days ever at U.S. airports.

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