You’re planning a big vacation across the US or to another country and you don’t want to stop taking your CBD.
Now what?
Can you take CBD oil on a plane? Can you store it in your luggage when flying to another state or another country?
Let’s find out.
Can You Fly With CBD Oil Products?
Flying with CBD oil is perfectly legal on domestic flights, providing it contains 0.3% THC or less.
CBD oil is legal under federal law, but there are some exceptions.
Firstly, TSA laws require all liquids to be less than 3.4 ounces, so if you’re taking CBD oil on the plane, make sure it meets this requirement. If not, you can place it in your checked luggage.
Secondly, you may be asked to prove that your CBD contains less than 0.3%. It might not happen, as there’s a chance they won’t detect the CBD oil, but it’s best to be prepared. You’ll make life easier for those TSA officers and for yourself.
Here’s what the TSA guidelines state:
“Marijuana and certain cannabis-infused products, including some cannabidiol (CBD) oil, remain illegal under federal law except for products that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis or that are approved by the FDA. (See the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. 115–334.) TSA officers are required to report any suspected violations of law to local, state, or federal authorities.”
This applies to all CBD products. So, whether you’re traveling with CBD oil, vaping liquid, CBD cream, CBD gummies, or anything else, make sure you have proof of the THC content.
Last but not least, while the above laws apply to the United States, they may not apply once you leave the country. Even if you’re flying out of a US airport, you must still respect the laws of the destination country.
Can I Travel Internationally With CBD?
Just because something is legal in your departure country, doesn’t mean you can take it around the world. International CBD laws vary greatly, but they usually fall into one of four categories:
Similar to the US
In these countries, CBD oil is either completely legal or treated the same as in the United States.
You don’t need a prescription to carry CBD products and they are completely legal providing the THC content is no more than 0.3 percent THC.
There may be additional laws governing customs and travel, but generally speaking, these are the countries where you will face the least issues.
Example Countries
- Austria: CBD products are allowed in concentrations up to 0.3% THC.
- Canada: You can find a host of hemp and cannabis-infused products north of the border. All of these are legal for medical and recreational use.
- Czech Republic: Hemp-derived CBD oil is legal providing the THC content is no higher than 0.3%.
- Luxembourg: CBD oil is freely available with THC levels capped at 0.3%.
- Switzerland: Hemp-derived CBD products are freely available with THC levels no higher than 1%. CBD edibles and CBD vape products are widely available in Switzerland and you have more freedom here than in most other European countries.
Legal/Slightly Different from the US
These are the nations that might prove tricky for regular users of CBD products in the United States. It’s also the category that covers some of the most popular international travel destinations.
CBD products are legal in these countries, but only if they contain either 0% THC or no more than 0.2% THC.
For instance, most countries in the European Union require all CBD products to be capped at 0.2% THC. The same is true for the United Kingdom, which seems to still be operating under EU regulations, even though it is no longer in the EU.
The problem with this is that full-spectrum CBD products purchased in the US may exceed the 0.2% threshold, and you could find yourself on the wrong side of the law because of a tenth of a percent.
The good news is that this percentage point is unlikely to get you into serious trouble or even draw attention to you. The bad news is that you still shouldn’t take a risk.
If you have a product with 0.3% THC and the local laws insist on no more than 0.2%, do the right thing. If nothing else, it will save you the sweaty palms and heart palpitations when you walk through customs!
Example Countries
- Cyprus: CBD Oil with up to 0.2% THC is allowed.
- France: Must have 0% THC, although there is some confusion regarding this and it should be checked in advance.
- Greece: CBD Oil with up to 0.2% THC is allowed.
- Japan: Has some strict laws concerning marijuana and hemp, but allows for 0% THC CBD oil if it is derived from hemp seeds and stalks.
- Norway: CBD oils are available without a prescription in Norway but they must contain no detectable levels of THC. The laws are pretty strict on this, so it’s CBD isolate or nothing at all!
- Portugal: CBD oil with up to 0.2% THC or less is allowed.
- Romania: Must have 0% THC.
- Spain: CBD Oil with up to 0.2% THC or less is allowed.
Illegal
There are still many countries worldwide in which all forms of hemp and CBD are illegal. You could find yourself in serious trouble just for possessing a few CBD gummies, and even a prescription or proof of a medical condition isn’t going to help you.
Example Countries
- Belgium: CBD oil exists in somewhat of a grey area in Belgium, even though there have been movements to change its status. It seems to be classified as an illegal substance right now, but that can change at any time.
- China: All cannabis-infused products and hemp-derived CBD products are illegal in China.
- Middle East: Most countries in the Middle East don’t look very fondly on cannabis/hemp-derived products and they are often classified as illegal drugs.
Will TSA Security Officers Search Me For CBD?
Millions of travelers pass through US airports every day. There simply isn’t enough time or resources to thoroughly scan all of them and check every single liquid and edible that comes through.
The TSA security screening process focuses more on immediate threats to public safety and health, as noted in the following TSA statement:
“TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance is discovered during a screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.”
Summary: Flying with CBD
When traveling with CBD oil, you should always check the local laws. You’re okay in the United States, but as soon as you leave these 50 states, you’re under the jurisdiction of another nation and must follow local laws.
CBD laws and cannabis laws are changing rapidly all over the world, but there are still many countries that treat CBD and THC as one and the same, and if you’re carrying a bottle of CBD oil, you could find yourself in serious trouble.
