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Flying with CBD Oil: Tips & Legality

8 min read
flying with cbd oil

Flying with CBD Oil: Tips & Legality

8 min read

Medically reviewed by

CBD is a cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants. Because of the link with the cannabis plant, many people wonder if it’s legal to travel with CBD locally and internationally. 

When it comes to flying with CBD oil, there are a few things you need to consider to ensure you are on the right side of the law. 

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

In this guide, we are going to share everything you need to know about travelling with CBD oil in Europe and beyond, including:

  • If CBD oil is legal to fly with (domestically and internationally)
  • How much CBD oil can you fly with
  • Can you carry CBD oil in hand luggage?
  • Tips on flying with CBD oil
 
Let’s get into it.

In this guide:

Can you take CBD oil on a plane?

Although CBD products are being legalised for recreational and medicinal use in many countries, flying with CBD oil may not be as straightforward as you think. 

Currently, CBD oil’s legality and whether it is acceptable to the country you are flying to or from varies.

Some countries have not yet legalised the use of CBD, therefore, checking local laws is the first thing to do when travelling with CBD oil

As of January 2020, TSA guidelines on travelling with medical marijuana and CBD oil changed, making CBD oil legal to travel within a variety of countries. 

These guidelines stated that consumers could travel with CBD products as long as they contain no more than 0.3 per cent THC on a dry weight basis. THC and CBD are not to be confused. CBD is the active ingredient from cannabis that offers health benefits as opposed to a ‘high’.

Read more: CBD vs THC

For those who consume a higher concentration of THC for medical purposes, the product must be FDA-approved for it to be safe and legal to fly with.

Although CBD products are not yet legal globally, the laws are changing as the active ingredients, and their properties for improving general wellbeing are researched further.

It is best to keep an eye on the laws of the places you are travelling to and from. You can seek advice from an embassy or airport officials if you are unsure.

When travelling with CBD in the UK, the law requires that the CBD product must be clearly labelled as a food product, or it has to be prescription CBD.

Before we delve deeper into flying with CBD oil and laws of different countries,  we made this video to give you all the information you need to know about CBD legality in the UK, and how it affects travelling with CBD:

How much CBD can you fly with?

If you have verified that the country you are flying out from and into will legally allow CBD products, you may be wondering how much CBD you can fly with. 

The legally allowed concentrated amount around the world is typically between 0.2 and 0.3 per cent per product. In Europe, the concentration is slightly lower, at 0.2. Whereas in the US and Canada, the accepted concentration is 0.3. 

Again, this is something to check before you fly because every country varies.

In terms of the quantity of CBD you are allowed to travel with, there is not sufficient verification due to laws only recently changing. 

But, we suggest if the countries you are travelling between allow the use of CBD oil, you can travel with the amount you require if the concentration is within the legal percentage. 

What we do know is each container must contain no more than 1mg of a controlled cannabinoid.  

If you are hoping to fly with a larger quantity due to medical reasons, you will need a certified letter from a doctor or other medical professional.

Can you carry CBD oil in hand luggage?

For most flights, any liquid product like CBD oil should be in a container holding less than 100ml

It should then be presented to security in a transparent plastic bag measuring no more than 20cm x 20cm, as you would with any other liquids.

For CBD oil, it is acceptable to be carried in hand luggage so long as the countries you are travelling through accept the use and personal ownership of CBD. 

Never try to hide or disguise your CBD products when travelling, especially through customs. 

A TSA officer’s job is required to report any suspected law violations to local, state or federal authorities, and you do not want to arouse their suspicions.

Therefore, clearly label them in your hand luggage so airport staff can check them over if necessary to avoid any issues.

CBD in hand luggage while travelling
Check the local laws of the country you are travelling to and the rules of the airline for guidelines on keeping CBD in your hand luggage.

Can you take CBD oil on a plane in the UK?

Yes, you can take CBD oil on a plane in the UK.

If you’re on a domestic flight, you have nothing to worry about as long as your product adheres to UK CBD law.

Can you fly with CBD oil internationally?

So we know you can fly with CBD oil in the UK, but can you carry CBD oil on an international flight?

As we mentioned, CBD laws differ from country to country, so there are no hard and fast rules regarding international travel with CBD oil.

We recommend checking the laws of all countries you are visiting as well as any countries you may stop over in during your flight. 

This is important because you may fly from a country that accepts the use of CBD, but your destination or a country you have a layover does not

So, you need to be very careful when flying with CBD oil internationally. 

We know this is complicated, so to help you out, we’ve created a summary of the local laws and legalities when it comes to flying with CBD oil.

 Europe 🇪🇺

The question we get most often is: “Can I travel with CBD oil in Europe?”

Currently, the UK and EU follow the same broad regulations relating to CBD

Europe is a continent that accepts CBD. Many European countries have legalised CBD to be used recreationally and medicinally. As long as the oil contains no more than 0.2% THC, it is legal to fly with it throughout Europe. 

If you are unsure what the percentage is, most CBD products display their cannabinoid concentration on the label. They should also indicate whether the THC amount is legal at all. 

However, there are still some restrictions in certain countries.

Countries you can travel in and out of with CBD oil in Europe include:

  • UK
  • Spain
  • Belgium
  • The Netherlands
  • Italy
  • Hungary
  • Bulgaria
  • Slovenia
  • Cyprus
  • Greece
  • Ireland
  • Czech Republic
  • Estonia
  • Romania
  • Lithuania
  • Latvia
  • Croatia
  • Switzerland
  • Poland

Countries in Europe where you may have issues when flying with CBD oil include:

  • Portugal
  • Austria
  • Denmark
  • Germany
  • Finland
  • Malta


You can only take CBD that a medical professional has prescribed to these countries, and if you can present the prescription. 

Other countries that may produce problems include France, Slovakia, and Sweden.

  • CBD is legal in France but is not always looked on favourably.
  • In Slovakia, CBD is illegal. If you are found with or using CBD products in Slovakia, you may be prosecuted.
  • In Sweden, CBD products are legal so long as they do not contain any THC. 

USA 🇺🇸

Similar flying restrictions exist in the USA. For most of the country, it is legal to fly in and out with CBD products, but the products must contain less than 0.3% THC to be considered legal. 

Throughout most of the USA, CBD is legal if derived from hemp, but each state has different rules.

It is advised to clearly label your CBD products when flying throughout, into, or out of the USA. The same goes for all other countries to reduce the risk of violation or delays.

While federal law may accept CBD oil, local decisions can still conflict with federal regulations. Thus, always do your research before heading to a different state with CBD products.

Canada 🇨🇦

In Canada, CBD is completely legal for medicinal and recreational use. There is no THC limitation, either. 

It is legal to fly with a 30-day supply of CBD too. 

The only restriction is the hand luggage limitation, which is the same for all other countries. All liquid CBD products should be 100ml or less.

Australia 🇦🇺

If you are an Australian resident, you are lucky to travel with the largest supply. Residents can fly with a three-month supply of CBD if prescribed. 

CBD is now legal to purchase over the counter in Australia. So, patients will no longer require a referral, special approval or a prescription to acquire and use low-dose CBD in Australia legally.

Before flying out of Australia to another country, check the local laws of the country you are visiting as laws may differ from Australia’s.  

Asia 

CBD is banned or subject to heavy restrictions in many countries throughout Asia. In some cases, using, consuming or transporting CBD can even lead to legal punishment.

Therefore, to be on the safe side, it may be best to leave your CBD at home when travelling to Asia.

Africa 

As with Asia, CBD oil is either banned or no regulation exists in most African countries.

The one exception is South Africa, where CBD is considered legal, subject to certain regulations.

Once again, it’s recommended that you do not travel with CBD to African countries. (Rather safe than sorry!)

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4 tips for flying with CBD oil

1. Carry it in your hand luggage

If you consume CBD oil via a vape or another smoking device, you need to be careful. 

They are often only accepted in hand luggage due to the e-cigarette battery.

To avoid any issues at check-in, remember to pack it in your hand luggage instead of a hold case. 

2. Check the local laws

Before flying, you should always check the local laws of the places you are going to. No matter how relaxed your country is, the country you are travelling to might not be.

Some countries are still against the use of CBD oil, even for medicinal use. 

3. Bring lab test results

For extra precaution, we recommend you to bring proof of your CBD ingredients and use – if you’re buying from a high-quality, transparent company it should be easy to access the lab test results of your particular product.

4. Label & declare if necessary

When flying with CBD oil, always ensure to label them and declare the products at customs if necessary.

You will not want to be pulled to the side and investigated.  

Tips for travelling with CBD

Luggage Icon

Keep it in your hand luggage

Keep your CBD in your hand luggage and make sure oils do not exceed the liquid limit

Law icon

Check local laws

Check the legality of CBD in the country you’re travelling to & for any layovers

COA Icon

Bring lab test results

Have a COA handy to prove your CBD ingredients & THC content

Tag Icon

Label & declare

Label products clearly and declare it at customs if necessary

Final thoughts on travelling with CBD oil

Even with updated laws across the world, TSA agents at the security checkpoint always have the final say whether a CBD item can be taken through

So, do not get your hopes up that flying with CBD oil is always a smooth process. 

However, if you have done your research and made sure the country you are travelling to allows CBD oil, your issues will be reduced

Always ensure to stick with the concentration allowances, clearly label the product, and have an exact list of ingredients in case you are queried at the airport.

Seeing as CBD oil flying laws differ from country to country, and even state to state, be cautious when flying with CBD and thoroughly research any applicable regulations.