Despite its legality in the United Kingdom and many other countries, there are still certain areas of daily life where consumers are unsure whether or not their hemp-derived CBD oil is safe. One of the more prevalent questions we’ve seen is about taking CBD on a plane, with lots of people wondering if it’s possible. Let’s take a closer look at CBD and flying.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabis plant derivative that is commonly extracted and used to support overall health and wellness. Although it is extracted from cannabis, CBD does not cause any intoxicating effects. However, users often report a calming effect, lowered anxiety, better sleep, pain reduction and enhanced focus when using CBD.
When CBD enters your system it acts on the endocannabinoid system in the body. This complex cell-signalling system is responsible for maintaining balance and regulating mood, sleep, pain perception, metabolism and more.
Can I Take CBD Oil on a Plane?
Yes. You can legally fly from and to the UK with CBD oil or CBD-infused products in your luggage, as long as the product contains the legal concentration of THC (in the UK, this is 0.2% or less). The item should also be sold as a food supplement. A reputable company selling legal CBD products will adhere to both requirements; it is always worth doing your research on a brand before purchasing.
Despite this, we strongly recommend checking with your flight provider and your destination airport before you travel to minimise any issues along the journey.
Is CBD Oil Allowed In Hand Luggage?
Many users of CBD are keen to keep their products with them on the plane, especially in the case of nervous flyers using CBD to calm anxiety symptoms.
CBD oil can be carried in your hand luggage on a plane, however, the bottle must not exceed the 100ml liquid rule that applies to carry-on luggage, and it must be displayed in a transparent plastic bag. Check that your CBD oil container is less than 100ml; if not, it should be placed in your hold suitcase rather than hand luggage.
The 100ml liquid rule does not apply to prescription medication. If medicinal CBD has been prescribed, the liquid limit can be ignored as long as you have an accompanying prescription or doctor’s note. However, it is rare in the UK to obtain CBD oil on prescription.
Can I Take CBD Oil to Another Country?
The answer to this question is largely determined by your destination.
First and foremost, you should think about THC concentration when taking CBD oil or other CBD-infused goods to another country. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive element of the cannabis plant. It’s what gets users ‘high’. It’s important to ensure that your product does not contain more than the legal limit of THC in the UK, as previously mentioned. Furthermore, it is crucial to check the laws at your specific destination as your destination may have a lower THC threshold than the country you are travelling from.
The simplest way to find out is to contact your airline and the customs office for your destination, ahead of your trip.
Can I Travel to the UK with CBD?
Travelling to the UK with CBD-infused oil is safe and permitted as long as the product follows UK law and contains no more than 0.2% THC, as stated previously. We would always recommend purchasing your CBD oil from a reputable brand and printing off the third-party laboratory analysis report (reputable brands selling legal CBD will provide these) before you travel, as proof of legality.
If your CBD oil contains more than 0.2% THC when you travel to the UK, it will be seized.
Layovers & Stopovers
Don’t forget any stops during your journey. Even if only stopping for a brief time, it is worth checking local laws before you land yourself in trouble if your CBD-infused product does not meet regulations.
Where is CBD Illegal?
Despite increasing understanding of the safety of CBD, some countries remain wary of the cannabis derivative. To reiterate, you should always check with the airline and customs department of your destination to ensure a hassle-free trip.
The following table outlines the current legal status of CBD in popular destinations. This table is intended as a guide only; the customs department for your destination can advise on the latest guidelines on travelling with CBD oil.
|
Country |
Is CBD Legal? |
Prescription Required? |
Max THC Content |
|
Australia |
✅ |
✅ |
1% |
|
Austria |
✅ (but should not be listed as a food supplement) |
❌ |
0.3% |
|
Belgium |
❌ |
|
|
|
Bulgaria |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Canada |
✅ |
❌ |
0.3% |
|
China |
❌ |
|
|
|
Croatia |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Cyprus |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Czech Republic |
✅ |
❌ |
0.3% |
|
Denmark |
✅ |
✅ |
0.2% |
|
Egypt |
❌ |
|
|
|
Estonia |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Finland |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
France |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Germany |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Greece |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
India |
✅ |
❌ |
0.3% |
|
Ireland |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Italy |
✅ |
❌ |
0.6% |
|
Japan |
✅ |
❌ |
0.0% |
|
Latvia |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Lithuania |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Luxembourg |
✅ |
❌ |
0.3% |
|
Netherlands |
✅ |
❌ |
0.05% |
|
New Zealand |
✅ |
✅ |
0.2% |
|
Norway |
✅ |
✅ |
0.0% |
|
Poland |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Portugal |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Romania |
✅ |
❌ |
0.0% |
|
Russia |
❌ |
|
|
|
Slovenia |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
South Africa |
✅ |
❌ |
0.001% |
|
Spain |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Sweden |
✅ |
❌ |
0.0% |
|
Switzerland |
✅ |
❌ |
1% |
|
Thailand |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
Ukraine |
✅ |
❌ |
0.0% |
|
United Kingdom |
✅ |
❌ |
0.2% |
|
United States |
Legal in certain states |
|
|
Final Tips for Flying with CBD
The key to avoiding hassle when it comes to flying with CBD is to check the laws at your destination, keep your product with you in hand luggage (100ml or less in the UK) and print out the third-party lab report so that you can provide all the necessary information to prove that your CBD contains legal levels of THC. Preparation will enable an airport experience that is as smooth as possible.
Source: https://www.missionc.com/blogs/news/can-i-take-cbd-on-a-plane
