Can I send LFTs abroad?

[Tigerblue]

Putting side whether it's the right thing to do to send UK LFTs abroad, can I send LFTs?

DD is a student in the eu. She's been in contact with two others who have tested positive. She had their equivalent of a PCR after first was diagnosed and negative, but wants some LFTs to test daily just in case (and also bearing in mind she's meant to be coming home in two weeks time so needs to know if there'd be a problem on a travel PCR).

Where is she? Would it not be easier for her to buy some in a local pharmacy/supermarket? UK parcel is likely to be delayed in customs.

Nothing to stop you I suppose but isn’t there a system to get them wherever she is?

I believe so - there was a viral Twitter thread about someone having them sent to Canada last week.

She’d probably be able to get her own supply much faster from a pharmacy though; and they are pretty cheap. I can’t remember what they’re called.

She's gone everywhere within town she's in and there aren't any.

I'd send them

Ah.

You can send them, then - customs is unlikely to be fast, though, so it might be worth her still trying to find some locally. There’s usually Facebook groups for visitors to areas etc which might be able to help her? Or her friends?

Just so she’s not waiting for a long time. It could easily take over two weeks for them to get to her from here right now.

Just send them.

You might have to send them, but as others have mentioned upthread there might well be customs delays/ costs..

The UK system of having LFTs available to buy almost in bulk in places like pharmacies/supermarkets isn’t replicated everywhere around the world, or even in Europe.

OTOH depending on the country it’s often very easy to get a test administered in a local lab (LFT or fast turnaround PCR).

Thanks. Unless she's gone to a testing centre, she's been paying for them (which she accepts) but absolutely nowhere has them. Either way, I've told her to check every day as Germany will need to have them available for their citizens/residents to test before entering bars, restaurants, gyms etc to stay open, as LFTs are required even if vaccinated.

Is she in a small town? Is she looking in the right places?

DS works in Germany and he tells me you can get them at any pharmacy, or supermarket - Rossmann, Edeka, Lidl, DM etc.

Unless she’s in a small town, there will be dozens of testing stations just around the corner.

I’m in Germany as well, and they’ve reintroduced free community testing recently, but you need to go looking for testing stations yourself. In my state you can do one test every day (not that anyone would check if you wanted more…).

Pharmacies and supermarkets will normally have a decent amount in stock - BUT - these are not always on display. My local Lidl and DM requires you to ask for some at the till, like you do with cigarettes. Rossmann and Rewe and the next Lidl over do have them on display… it’s a bit random.

She should ask at the tills or pharmacy counters because it might be that they’re rationing the amount of boxes you can buy in one go that way.

Also, the only valid LFTs to enter restaurants, gyms, shops… are the ones administered at testing centres. They ones you do at home aren’t valid for anything. Plus, most of the country is 2G now, which means vaccines or recovery only upon entry. Negative tests aren’t useful anymore.

I did this but Customs confiscated them as they were not recognised in that country so a complete waste of time and money. Customs also contacted the recipient which was a bit scary for them.