As a botanical compound, CBD relies on specialist manufacturers to unleash it from hemp plants. It remains a source of intrigue and controversy as it continues to circulate in the ever-changing world of contemporary wellness. While news of CBD’s potential promise has travelled far and wide, it may not be appropriate to take with you on every trip. In this article, we’ll introduce some international CBD travel guidelines (as of April 2021) and explain why you should avoid travelling with CBD to the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and numerous other destinations.
As we begin our journey into the realms of wellness and travel, we mustn’t skip the first step: understanding what CBD is. Cannabidiol (or CBD in its abbreviated form) is a natural compound found in the leaves, flowers, and stems of cannabis Sativa plants. Manufacturers generally extract CBD from the hemp subspecies – a plant known for its non-intoxicating chemistry and versatile uses. According to specialised global agencies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), pure CBD is a safe and relatively low-risk substance with no evidence of any intoxicating or addictive properties. While other forms of cannabis consumption (such as smoking marijuana) can make you “high”, this is mainly due to the presence of a psychoactive molecule called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
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In recent years, CBD has taken the cannabis-derived wellness movement by storm. It’s widely consumed through best-selling products such as CBD oil – a combination of CBD extract and plant oils (such as coconut and hemp seed oil). By placing one or two drops under your tongue, you may begin to feel any potential effects of CBD oil in as few as fifteen minutes. For your reference, it’s good to keep in mind that this substance is also present in other hemp-themed food supplements (such as CBD gummies), vape accessories, and cosmetics (such as CBD balm).
Is CBD Legal?
At this point, you may find yourself asking a pertinent question: Is CBD oil legal? In short, the legal status of CBD varies greatly depending on where you live or where you’re travelling. Understandably, the relationship between CBD and the law is something we’ll be reflecting upon quite a bit throughout this article. In Britain, authorities deem it a legal substance on two primary conditions:
- Legal CBD must come from licenced hemp crops.
- Products must have non-intoxicating chemistries, with no more than 0.2% THC.
In most cases, the law does not require CBD manufacturers to provide customers with official documentation to confirm their lab results. Consequently, some poor-quality ‘CBD’ companies and scammers attempt to fly under the radar while maintaining illegal practices. You can protect yourself from any nasty surprises by choosing a premium brand that can offer you an official Certificate of Analysis (COA) from an accredited, third-party laboratory.
Anecdotes about CBD have travelled far and wide – particularly regarding its potential promise and possible wellness benefits. You’re not alone if you’ve heard family members, friends, and even strangers talking about this intriguing hemp compound. According to the personal stories circulated by frequent users, CBD might possibly impact some common discomforts and wellbeing symptoms. While these personal accounts are an inspiring place to start, it’s vital to source information from fact-based evidence.
The field of CBD research is growing at an impressive rate, but there remains a great deal more to discover. So far, preliminary research paints a fascinating picture of CBD regarding how it might affect our sense of wellbeing. CBD-themed food supplements and cosmetics are not “cures”, “medicines”, or “treatments”, but they might just help you to feel better from day to day. Some of the most publicised potential benefits of CBD consumption may possibly include:
- Reducing some common symptoms of anxiety and other mood disorders
- Impacting how you interpret some signs of pain
- Influencing some inflammation signals
- Improving your sleep
Now that we’ve observed some of the general possibilities that inspire people to take CBD in everyday life, let’s explore why it might be a useful substance to travel with.
Why Travel With CBD Oil?
Why do people travel with CBD products? Rather than stowing them away in your suitcase, hemp-derived supplements and cosmetics might be worth keeping close to hand (in line with the law, of course). CBD may possibly impact some of the physical and mental experiences we commonly associate with public transport. Below, we’ve summarised a few reasons why using CBD on the go might affect your comfort levels while travelling. It’s helpful to keep in mind that some of these points may even apply to pets in transit.
CBD For Fear of Flying
Otherwise known as aviophobia, the fear of flying is a relatively common phobia that may affect over 6% of the general population. While most of us feel some degree of discomfort when we’re inside an aircraft, some people who have aviophobia find the thought of flying so terrifying that they avoid planes at all costs. If you can relate to this struggle, you’re not alone. However, you may find that it makes your world feel a bit smaller – as flying is often the gateway to international travel. If you feel debilitated by your fears, you should speak to a licenced psychotherapist who can help you overcome your phobia. However, you may also find CBD a helpful supplement to experiment with as part of your broader self-comfort ritual. Currently, there is no research exploring CBD as it relates directly to aviophobia. However, there is a growing body of research indicating that CBD might potentially impact symptoms of anxiety:
- CBD may possibly help to reduce some behavioural signs of stress.
- It might affect your focus and contribute to your self-perceived sense of ‘calm’.
- It may potentially decrease some anxiety-related complaints.
Some people anecdotally claim that hemp-derived wellness products fit in with their more comprehensive strategies to overcome excessive worrying and fear-based thoughts.
CBD For Symptoms of Travel-Induced Nausea
Nausea while travelling is a reasonably common issue that occurs when our brains feel overwhelmed by conflicting signals. For example, during a rural car ride, your muscles perceive jolting sensations, while your eyes may only perceive blurred landscapes through the window. While some passengers may be relatively unaffected by this confusion, others might begin to feel unwell – experiencing nausea and headaches. Understandably, these issues can quickly spoil an otherwise pleasant journey and potentially motivate people to avoid long trips. If you are prone to motion sickness or ‘travel sickness’, you may be able to relate to this struggle. Hemp extracts certainly can’t “cure” or “treat” these discomforts, but CBD may just be worth exploring for the long haul.
Emerging studies suggest that hemp extracts may potentially show some promise in reducing some of the uncomfortable symptoms commonly experienced when travelling at speed.
Researchers indicate that CBD might possibly help by:
- Impacting some symptoms of nausea and vomiting
- Affecting some inflammation symptoms that can arise in moments of stress
- Influencing how your body interprets some headache-related pain signals
Public transport often requires us to sit in allocated seats for prolonged periods – especially during international journeys. Sometimes, brief trips can be interrupted by unexpected delays that leave us ‘stuck’ as we wait for services to resume. Alongside the frustration that these incidents can cause, we can also suffer aches and pains due to tense body language and a lack of movement. Here, it may help to use a neck pillow or take a brief stroll whenever time and circumstances allow. It’s also possible that CBD may impact muscle contractions and pain symptoms.
Preliminary research indicates that consuming CBD might offer possible benefits, such as:
- Influencing some discomforts associated with tense or overworked muscles
- Impacting some symptoms of digestive cramps
- Affecting your muscle movements
CBD For Sleep
Whether you’re moving between time zones or waking up at the crack of dawn for a ‘red eye’ flight, it’s vital to invest in your sleep while travelling. As we know, sleep is an irreplaceable physiological process that we depend upon to survive and function optimally in daytime hours. It also helps us to recover from normal wear-and-tear and maintain our general wellness. Poor sleep can wreak havoc on our short-term travel plans and long-term wellbeing. Can CBD be your secret to feeling refreshed and well-rested while travelling? According to current evidence, CBD may possibly influence your rest patterns by:
- Impacting some signs of daytime sleepiness
- Reducing some symptoms of insomnia
- Improving the duration and self-assessed quality of your sleep
While we’re still waiting for conclusive evidence to arrive, it appears that CBD might possibly be your ticket to a more restful journey. However, to avoid any sudden halts, it’s vital to know the rules regarding CBD and travel. As you may imagine, these policies vary from country to country. Let’s explore the territory.
Departure Zone: Preparing To Travel With CBD
While some exciting potential benefits have helped put CBD on the map, you should exercise reasonable caution before taking it with you on any international travels. Depending on the national laws upheld by authorities in your chosen locations, a small bottle of CBD oil may be enough to derail your travel plans. In the worst-case scenario, arriving in a country where CBD is illegal could leave you facing severe criminal charges – possibly even the death penalty. While CBD products may be portable, they aren’t necessarily travel-friendly. As a result, it’s crucial to do thorough research to ensure you won’t end up in a compromising position. When in doubt, it’s a good idea to speak with your airline or travel provider.
Before we introduce some of the general CBD policies maintained in different countries and continents, it’s essential to keep some key points in mind:
- As a hemp-derived extract, CBD tends to face scrutiny wherever you go.
- CBD products without lab reports may be contaminated with illegal substances.
- Transit officials rarely have the facilities for testing the THC content of CBD oil.
- If you’re flying, all hand-luggage liquids must comply with relevant restrictions.
Without further ado, let’s begin our brief tour of CBD travel policies. First stop: the UK and Europe.
Travelling With CBD In The UK and Europe
United Kingdom
Can you travel with products containing CBD in UK territories? As we briefly touched upon earlier in this article, CBD is legal for travel in the UK. However, there are numerous conditions to make this possible, and CBD products that fail to comply with relevant laws are categorised as controlled substances. Strict government requirements establish the framework for classifying whether CBD is appropriate for public consumption. For your reference, the conditions are as follows:
- CBD products must contain as little THC as possible – with an upper limit of 0.2%.
- UK authorities must be able to trace CBD products back to licenced hemp farms.
- CBD products should comply with the FSA ‘novel food’ guidelines.
Within these parameters, travelling with CBD in the UK is relatively straightforward. A similar set of criteria is used to determine the legal status of CBD in countries like the Republic of Ireland. However, if you’re travelling to the UK or Ireland from the USA, you should keep in mind that CBD products that are legal in the USA may be illegal in the eyes of British and Irish laws.
CBD Throughout Europe
When it comes to regulating CBD products, most European countries (particularly European Union members) adopt a similar approach to the UK. However, it’s crucial to be aware of some significant differences. Before exploring some of these variations in closer detail, we must establish that not all countries in Europe tolerate popular cannabis extracts such as CBD. CBD products are still illegal in Armenia, Andora, Monaco, and Montenegro, and Slovakia. If CBD is banned in a country you’re visiting, you should never attempt to travel with it. Numerous countries in Europe treat cannabidiol as a legal grey area. Therefore, it’s imperative that you thoroughly investigate any policies that may affect you on your travels.
The table below reviews some of the preliminary possibilities for travelling with CBD oil to the most popular European destinations:
|
Country |
Travel-Friendly? |
THC Limit |
Other Restrictions |
|
France |
✔ |
0.2% |
No marijuana-derived CBD is allowed |
|
Italy |
✔ |
0.6% |
Italian CBD is not tolerated in other European countries. |
|
Spain |
✔ |
0.2% |
Topicals only |
|
Portugal |
Grey-area |
0.2% |
Prescription letter may be needed |
|
Turkey |
Grey-area |
0% |
For medical use only – prescription letter required |
|
Austria |
Grey-area |
0.3% |
Prescription letter may be needed |
|
Greece |
✔ |
0.2% |
May require a COA |
|
Germany |
Grey-area |
0.2% |
Prescription letter may be needed |
|
Belgium |
✔ |
0.2% |
3-gram weight limit |
|
The Netherlands |
✔ |
0.2% |
5-gram weight limit |
Since Europe is an extensive landmass representing many different nations, cultures, and policies, travel experiences vary from place to place. If you’re considering taking CBD with you on your next trip, it’s vital to seek advice from your airline provider or transit authority representatives.
Travel With CBD To The Americas
The United States
While the United States’ national anthem sings about ‘the land of the free’, US officials don’t take controlled substance laws lightly. According to the US Transportation and Security Administration (TSA), recreational cannabis and its associated substances remain illegal in the eyes of US federal law. Yes, even though states such as California legalised marijuana in 2016. With this being said, the TSA website states that there are exceptions for hemp-derived ‘products that contain no more than 0.3 per cent THC on a dry weight basis or that are approved by FDA’.
You can fly with CBD products that meet these requirements. However, it’s important to note that the TSA does not tolerate CBD derived from species of cannabis other than hemp, as these tend to have illegal concentrations of THC. As we know, rules can also between states, so it’s vital to investigate the status of hemp-derived CBD in the specific region you plan to visit. Due to the changing nature of legislation, you should make an effort to stay up-to-date before your travels. At this point, it’s crucial to note that:
- CBD products are currently illegal in Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota
- Roughly one-third of states do not tolerate foods and beverages infused with CBD
- CBD oil is tolerated in most states, under specific criteria.
While TSA officers do not specifically search travellers for cannabis, they always have the final say on whether you are permitted to enter the country with certain substances. If you’re flying with CBD oil in the USA, there is a strong likelihood that it will catch TSA officers’ attention during routine security screenings. As long as you cooperate with federal and state laws, THC limits and agricultural regulations, there is nothing to worry about.
Canada
As you may know, Canada made international headlines with the 2018 Cannabis Act – when it became the second country in the world to legalise all forms of cannabis. Consequently, there are no limits to travelling with CBD within the country’s national borders. When it comes to international trips, it’s important to note that you cannot take CBD (or any other cannabis products) into or out of Canada. In summary, you can only travel with CBD on internal Canadian flights. If you’re a tourist over the age of 18, you can purchase CBD from national retailers once you’ve arrived in Canada and use it during your stay. If you are crossing the Canada-US border, it’s normal for security officers to be strict when checking for cannabis and associated substances.
South America
As we know, some countries in South America face considerable challenges when it comes to drug trafficking. Consequently, most countries in the continent classify CBD as a controlled substance that’s either completely banned or legal for medical purposes only. Thus, travelling with CBD in South America is generally a no-go unless you visit a country that will accept it with the support of a doctor’s prescription. According to the Latin American Post, the general status of CBD is as follows:
- You may be able to travel to Mexico with CBD products with up to 0.2% THC.
- If you travel with an official doctor’s prescription, you might be allowed to take regulation-compliant CBD products to Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Paraguay.
- Travelling with legal CBD in Brazil requires a prescription from a Brazillian doctor.
- It’s currently illegal to travel with CBD in all other South American countries.
The Caribbean
Countries such as Jamaica are known worldwide for their unique appreciation of cannabis plants, but how do extracts like CBD fare in the Caribbean? There are thirteen sovereign island nations in the Caribbean, and many tourists visit this part of the world to enjoy tropical scenery, laid-back culture, and vibrant art. However, you may be surprised to hear that some Caribbean authorities deem CBD a controlled substance. One possible reason for this may be the region’s diverse influences, since it has political connections with The Netherlands, Spain, the UK, and the USA.
If you’re considering travelling to the Caribbean with CBD, it’s crucial to know that:
- CBD is currently illegal in ten of the thirteen sovereign island nations.
- CBD is legal in Jamaica, Antigua, and the US Virgin Islands.
Unless you have a direct flight to Jamaica, Antigua, or the US Virgin Islands, you should not travel to the Caribbean with CBD.
Is CBD Tolerated In Africa?
While Africa is a vast continent made up of over fifty different countries, there is currently a reasonably uniform approach towards regulating CBD. Even though many parts of Africa offer ideal climates for cultivating hemp crops, cannabis and its derivatives (including CBD) are entirely banned. As a general rule, you cannot travel with CBD to Africa. However, there is one exception: South Africa.
In 2019, motions passed by the national Department of Health rendered South Africa the first (and only) country in Africa to tolerate CBD. While this decision was monumental, it presented strict conditions and is subject to review, so it’s best to stay up-to-date on the situation. According to current requirements from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), legally compliant CBD products must contain:
- 0.001% THC per product (or less)
- 0.0075% CBD per product (or less)
- A label detailing a daily dose of 20mg or less
While travelling to South Africa with CBD may be feasible within these regulations, you should keep in mind that most CBD products sold in the UK, Europe, and the USA usually contain at least 1% CBD and up to 0.2% THC. If your CBD product exceeds the concentrations detailed in South African regulations, you’ll need a doctor’s prescription to enter the country with it.
Travelling With CBD To The Middle East and Asia
CBD in The Middle East
Middle Eastern countries maintain highly conservative attitudes regarding controlled substances, and most authorities classify CBD as an illegal narcotic. Visiting the Middle East with cannabis or cannabis derivatives such as CBD is the equivalent of drug trafficking – an offence punishable by death in some regions! Technically, some forms of doctor-prescribed CBD are legal in Israel. Still, we strongly advise that you never travel to the Middle East carrying CBD or any other hemp/cannabis products for the sake of your safety and wellbeing.
CBD in The UAE
As journalist Arnaud Siad summarised in a 2019 travel news report, the UK Foreign Office recently warned travellers against the substantial dangers of bringing CBD products into the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In 2020, a British tourist faced a 10-year prison sentence for travelling to the UAE with CBD vape oils in her suitcase. Did you know that you can also face penalties for the possession of illegal drugs if UAE officials detect controlled substances in your bloodstream? Consequently, it may also be wise to refrain from using any CBD products in the days before your flight to the UAE is scheduled.
Travelling With CBD Throughout Asia
Second only to the Middle East, Asia is one of the world’s strictest regions regarding CBD. While Western opinions of hemp and its potential benefits have been changing rapidly over the past few years, many Asian governments believe that any form of cannabis consumption may potentially be dangerous, addictive, and life-threatening. Consequently, CBD is illegal throughout most of Asia. Rather than risking jail time or severe penalties, we strongly recommend that you travel CBD-free when visiting China, Russia, or anywhere else in Asia. The only exception here is India: where you can take legal CBD products containing up to 0.3% THC.
If you’re sure that your chosen CBD product contains zero THC, you might possibly be eligible to bring it with you into some Asian countries. For example, this allowance may apply in Japan – provided that you choose a hemp product from a Japanese manufacturing company. The main reason for this condition is that Japan operates a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding THC. To ensure that there are no unwanted contaminants in imported CBD products, Japanese developers distil them before making them available.
If you need to travel with doctor-prescribed cannabis products for medical reasons, some countries in Asia may allow it (subject to firm conditions). It’s vital to research this further before reaching any conclusions.
Travel With CBD To Australia and Beyond
According to a recent article in The Guardian, the Australian government has deemed CBD an acceptable substance for public consumption – on the condition that manufacturers first obtain more evidence to prove its potential benefits. Psychopharmacologist Iain McGreggor has suggested that it might take up to a year before CBD products are available. But what about travelling to Australia with CBD? Currently, you can only bring CBD products with you to Australia if you have an official doctor’s prescription. Otherwise, it is against the law.
Similar rules apply in New Zealand, where the national Customs Service discourages visitors from attempting to bring any cannabis derivatives across borders – even prescribed medical products. However, there may be a referendum regarding the legalisation of recreational cannabis in New Zealand in the future. For your information, CBD is also illegal in Samoa, Fiji, and most other Oceania countries.
Unless the current regulations change, we recommend that you don’t bring any CBD products with you on your travels to Australia and beyond.
Throughout this article, we’ve learned that CBD is a natural hemp compound that may offer some possible wellbeing benefits when consumed. So far, studies indicate that it might potentially impact symptoms of pain, inflammation, disturbed sleep, and anxiety. By association, there may be a possibility that using products such as CBD oil could affect your comfort levels while travelling. It might just help you to feel more refreshed – especially if you’re experiencing common symptoms of nausea, headaches, muscle tension, and travel-related anxiety. The preliminary evidence is limited, but it paints an intriguing picture. We cannot overstate the value of carrying out proper research and being well-prepared. In fact, it might just save your life (and your holiday). Travelling with CBD should never be a matter of spontaneously tossing a bottle of CBD oil in your bag and hoping for the best. In some cases, this kind of haphazard decision-making may potentially result in legal complications and even death sentences! For example, taking CBD into countries that deem it an illegal substance is a form of drug trafficking. You need to be aware of changing legislation to operate in a compliant manner wherever you are. You should also consider any airline policies, lay-over destinations or connecting flights that may impose additional restrictions.
If, after careful consideration, you do decide to travel with CBD, it’s essential to ensure that it is legal and choose a brand that can provide you with a COA. This document substantiates the precise chemistry of your CBD and any additional compounds it may contain. If you qualify for a doctor’s prescription, it’s also wise to take a copy of any relevant papers with you on your travels. When in doubt, always leave your CBD products at home.
Our goal in writing this article is to provide you with a thought-provoking and informative introduction to travelling with CBD in countries where it may be permitted. The details we’ve provided are accurate to our publication date. However, given the changing nature of legislation and the fact that societal attitudes towards cannabis are evolving dynamically, it’s vital to seek travel advice from experts. It’s always wise to follow the instructions given by airline representatives, customs officials, government websites, and legal advisors on this subject.
Anastasiia Myronenko
Anastasiia Myronenko is a Medical Physicist actively practicing in one of the leading cancer centers in Kyiv, Ukraine. She received her master’s degree in Medical Physics at Karazin Kharkiv National University and completed Biological Physics internship at GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Germany. Anastasiia Myronenko specializes in radiation therapy and is a fellow of Ukrainian Association of Medical Physicists.