Flying with CBD - is it legal?

The basics of travelling with CBD products

Many of us forget that CBD, while non-intoxicating, does come from the cannabis plant.

CBD is not considered a drug in many European countries, but this was not the case a few years ago.

Every country around the world has its own cannabis policies, which means that they each have their own approach to CBD. Policies can even vary within a country, as is the case in the US where every state has their own cannabis laws.

Travelling within your home country with CBD should not be a problem. As long as you bought it legally, you will be fine.

International travel is where things can get tricky.

Is international travel with CBD products legal?

The essential rule about international travel with CBD products is that it doesn't matter where you come from, but it does matter where you’re going.

The product you purchased legally back home might be considered illegal in your final destination.

Telling airport security staff that you bought it legally in your country of origin won't get you far. It is simply irrelevant. The only thing that matters are the laws of your destination.

Therefore, always check the CBD laws in the country you travel to. And remember that this also applies to places where you may have a layover.

CBD products on flights within the EU

Flying with CBD between EU countries should not be a problem if you travel with CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD products.

If you are bringing full-spectrum CBD on board, you must remember that each EU country has its own rules and regulations regarding the allowed and tolerated THC content.

Even though the European Parliament authorised and raised the permitted THC levels in industrial hemp from 0,2% to 0,3%, it does not necessarily mean you can travel with CBD products containing up to 0,3% of THC.

That's why you must check what THC content is allowed in CBD products in the country you are travelling to.

Flying with CBD outside of the EU

Things get even more complicated when you cross the EU border.

For example, the UK only allows CBD isolates and broad-spectrum products with no detectable levels of THC.

International travel to places other than the UK becomes so difficult you might be better off simply leaving your CBD at home.

If you accidentally bring a CBD product to another EU country that is not allowed, the most likely (and worst-case) scenario is that your CBD product will be confiscated. Outside of the EU, you may risk being rejected at the border or, in the absolute worst-case scenario, even face some jail time.

When you travel from the EU to a non-EU country, on top of checking the rules in regards to CBD, it is also important to check the rules about bringing cannabis and hemp products in and out of the country you are travelling to.

For example, even though recreational cannabis is legal in Canada, bringing any cannabis products (including CBD) into the country is not.

Countries to avoid travelling to with CBD products

There are some places where travelling with CBD can get you into real trouble. For example, if you're visiting Africa, you should know that bringing non-medical CBD with you is not allowed. The only exception is South Africa.

It is also safe to assume that countries with stringent anti-drug laws, like Saudi Arabia or the UAE, may not be very keen on tourists bringing cannabis-derived products into their countries.

What are the rules for bringing CBD on a plane?

Here's everything you need to know about flying with CBD.

You can carry CBD products in both check-in and hand luggage.

You can pack CBD into any of your travel bags. Remember that CBD drops or cosmetics in your carry-on bag will have to comply with the same rules as any other liquids. This means that within the EU, any liquid CBD products you have cannot be in a container bigger than 100 ml. This includes cosmetics.

Any CBD products you bring on board need to be in its original packaging.

Do not put your CBD gummies in a smaller jar or place CBD oil in a tiny bottle. No airports have the equipment necessary to test your CBD products on the spot. Therefore, airport employees need to gather all the information they can from the packaging.

The product label has to include info on the THC content.

Always make sure the original packaging has info on the THC content of your product. If the supplement you are using does not mention its THC content on the label, you will be better off leaving it at home.

Bring lab certificates and receipts.

When it comes to cannabis products, nobody will believe what you say unless you have documents to back up your claims. So bring the certificates from labs (available on the producers' website) and the receipt confirming you purchased it from a legitimate producer.

Check the origin of your CBD product.

Make sure that you only bring CBD made from industrial hemp. You can not fly with CBD extracted from Marijuana or from plants grown at home.

Bring your prescription.

If you are using prescribed medical CBD, make sure you have your prescription in case you need to prove that is the case. Additionally, we recommend you contact your airline and ask for their policy on carrying medical cannabis products.

Benefits of having CBD with you on a flight

Now that you know the rules and hurdles of flying with CBD, you might ask yourself - is it worth it?

There are many benefits of flying with CBD. If you get a bit anxious about flying, you might enjoy an extra dose of CBD.

It can also make it easier to rest before you hit your destination. Who doesn't love a good nap on the plane?

Additionally, it has been shown that CBD works best when taken regularly and at the same time of the day. Missing out on your daily doses might make you feel a bit off, and that's most certainly not how you want to feel when travelling.

How much CBD oil can you take on a plane?

Remember that if you bring CBD in a liquid form and take it on board, you need to respect the rules on liquids in hand language. In the EU, this means 100ml per product max. The same applies to cosmetics.