Information only. Not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies — consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction before acting.
Peru
VERIFIED · MAY 202622 ENTRIESSOUTH AMERICA
Peru is in South America. Review the laws below before your trip. Country pages link to official sources, and the verdict layer is sorted worst-first.
HEADS UP
Coca leaves legal but cocaine isn't. Don't bring coca products across borders.
DO NOT BRING
Exporting antiquities · Damaging heritage sites
Medications
4 entriesSubstances
4 entriesItems
4 entriesActivities
4 entriesDigital
4 entriesCOMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
- Coca tea or leaves cannot be carried across most international borders, where they are treated as cocaine precursors.
- Ayahuasca ceremonies are legal in Peru but the brew is a Schedule I substance in most home countries on return.
JURISDICTION NOTES
- Coca leaf chewing and tea are legal nationally and culturally embedded in Andean regions, especially Cusco and Puno.
- Lima and Arequipa enforce stricter open-container and public-drinking ordinances than smaller Andean towns.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Last verified · May 2026
Information only. Not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies — consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction before acting.