With the summer travel season fast approaching, we are seeing many people (especially those visiting our London CBD Store) ask if they can travel internationally with CBD products, especially given the increased need for help with anxiety and the huge growth in the number of CBD users around the world. Flying with CBD is something many people are keen to be able to do!
Fortunately, the answer is… in most cases yes, you can travel with many CBD products, provided they meet a few important requirements. There are however some no-go zones where you should NEVER travel with CBD oil including places like China, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
In some countries, laws also vary depending on whether the CBD is ingestible (like a CBD oil) or topical (like a CBD Balm). For example, in the UAE topical (skin-applied) CBD is permitted, but ingestible CBD oil is banned. In these instances, using products like CBD patches instead of CBD oil may be helpful.
Laws on Cannabis and related substances are changing quickly around the world, so our key advice is to always check with the embassy of the country you are travelling to or through to ensure you have the most up-to-date information for that destination.
To elaborate further, of course, it all depends on what type of CBD you have.
Under UK law, CBD products must contain less than 1mg THC, THC-A and CBN per container, which is effectively none (it’s incorrect to say that products can contain less than 0.2% THC, that law relates to the source material, not finished products). And you must be absolutely sure of this. If your CBD oil contains these banned cannabinoids, you’re holding a controlled substance, and that doesn’t tend to end well at airports.
KLORIS products are blended in the UK under strict controls to guarantee they contain no THC or CBN (with the exception of our full spectrum CBD gummies and our Inhale full spectrum CBD vape, which are still well within the legal limit).
We’ve covered a few common flight zones below and how they fare in terms of carrying CBD oil and other CBD products on a plane.
CAN YOU TAKE CBD OIL ON A PLANE WITHIN EUROPE?
Industrial Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L) derived CBD like KLORIS is 100% legal in all European countries, provided it contains no THC - some countries allow low levels of THC, generally up to 0.3% but sometimes up to as much as 1% (in the case of Switzerland).
Always choose a reputable CBD company that is transparent about its products, especially when you're flying with CBD oil. Make sure you’re carrying a brand that states the CBD content on the label and shows the source as hemp-derived CBD clearly. Ditch any CBD products with no labels.
There are also still general rules around carrying liquids that you must be aware of. A bottle of KLORIS CBD Oil is under the limit for carry-on liquids.
TAKING CBD ON A PLANE IN THE USA
In the USA, CBD Oils come with and without THC. So it’s a little more complicated here. Although medical cannabis (with THC) is legal in some states in the USA, all airports are controlled under federal law. This means that if, for example, you bought CBD Oil with THC in Colorado, you can’t fly with it. That’s because under federal law THC is illegal in the USA.
However, the good news is that CBD has been removed from the controlled substances list by the DEA so if you’re flying with a THC-free CBD Oil made from hemp, like KLORIS CBD, you aren’t breaking any laws. It’s still going to be important that your product clearly states this. There’s also a chance that a misinformed officer at the airport doesn’t understand the difference between the two products. It won’t land you in jail, but it could slow you down and they may take it off you.
TAKING CBD ON A PLANE IN ASIA, AFRICA & REST OF WORLD
This is where things get really interesting. CBD laws vary considerably around the world and are often confused with cannabis laws originally intended for marijuana and cannabis oils, which don't make much sense for hemp-derived CBD products that aren't intoxicating.
Take Thailand for example. There have been cases of people getting 5 years in a Thai jail for carrying substances that were legal in their home country, only to find they are a criminal when they land. Prescription drugs like Tramadol. Thailand has now legalised many CBD products but only those manufactured within Thailand, importation is still prohibited.
There was also a case of Mostafa Soliman, an American citizen who was imprisoned in Egypt in 2010 for importing organic hemp seed oil, used mostly in salads. If convicted he would have faced the death penalty. Thankfully he was released following protests.
Although these horror stories do exist, there are also plenty of people on TripAdvisor forums saying they’ve travelled happily across borders with a single bottle of CBD Oil in their hand luggage, still, we can only suggest everyone follows whatever the local law is of their destination, especially when flying internationally.
CHECK WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES BEFORE YOU TAKE CBD OIL ON A PLANE IF YOU’RE NOT SURE
So we'll end this article as we started and say if you’re not 100% sure, check with authorities in the country you are travelling to before you leave. Don’t forget to include any countries where you might be changing flights, although you’re not leaving the airport, you’re still landing there and subject to their laws.
If you’re flying via countries like Singapore, make sure you’re fully aware of the laws in those states before you take off. Another great tip is to ask your airline if you can take CBD Oil on the plane, as they may be able to help.
You may also be interested to read about The Difference between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil.
