Can you take CBD oil on a plane? This article explores the dos and don’ts of flying with CBD oil.
The popularity of CBD oil is a worldwide phenomenon, so it’s no wonder people are asking if they can fly with CBD supplements. Hemp-derived CBD products are legal in most places across the world, so why not fly with them?
But what are the rules for taking CBD oil on a plane?
How does the TSA approach CBD products?
Do you need to watch our for special provisions if you want to fly with CBD oil from one state to another?
What about international flights or land travel?
Below you’ll learn everything about safe travels with CBD oil.
Taking CBD Oil on a Plane: Can You Fly with CBD Oil?
Before we elaborate on international flights with CBD oil, let’s take a moment to understand the local laws surrounding hemp supplements in the USA.
Can You Take CBD Oil on a Plane on Domestic Flights?
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and its derivatives on a federal level, allowing its transportation across state borders.
This applies to taking CBD oil on a plane.
Flying with CBD products is also legal. You don’t need to worry about being arrested with a bottle of hemp extract.
However, not all CBD oils are created equal. For example, marijuana-derived CBD oils are still illegal at the federal level despite 17 states legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.
You shouldn’t fly with marijuana-derived CBD oil — even from one state to another.
Fortunately, it’s easy to tell the difference between CBD extracted from hemp and marijuana. Hemp-derived CBD oil contains 0.3% of THC or less, while marijuana-derived products come with significant levels of the psychoactive compound.
It’s also worth noting that while CBD is federally legal, individual states have the right to place their own limits on the sale, possession, and transportation of CBD products.
The TSA has recently updated its cannabis policies after banning all types of cannabis products for years.
Here’s why the agency has changed its mind.
TSA Guidelines for CBD
Generally speaking, CBD products with 0.3% THC or less are legal to travel within the United States.
As long as your product comes with a legitimate certificate of analysis confirming its purity and THC content, you won’t be bothered at the airport.
In January 2020, the TSA released a statement where it covered its new policies regarding CBD oil from hemp.
“Marijuana and certain cannabis products, including some cannabidiol (CBD) oil, remain illegal under federal law except for products that contain no more than 0.3% 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.”
“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.”
Translating this statement from administration babble to human language, you can take CBD oil on a plane as long as you can prove that your product contains 0.3% THC or less. That’s why Royal CBD oils come with batch-specific certificates of analysis. We make flying with CBD oil easier and less stressful.
Can You Fly with CBD Products Around the World?
There are no uniform regulations on CBD for international flights. They vary by country, so before you take CBD on a plane, make sure to research CBD laws in your destination place, including any planned stopovers.
Although most countries accept hemp-derived CBD oil, most legal professionals advise against flying with CBD products, especially if your destination country has harsh cannabis laws.
Being arrested in a foreign country is never a good idea, so if you really need CBD with you, consider shipping it to your final destination — or check if there are any local vendors that sell high-quality CBD oils.
The following countries have either banned flying with CBD or have murky laws regarding travels with hemp supplements:
- Belgium
- China
- India
- Japan
- Slovakia
CBD also remains illegal in most African countries except for Africa. In some Asian countries, such as Japan, you’re allowed to take only isolate-based CBD oil on a plane.
How to Take CBD on a Plane
When flying with CBD oil, you need to be more cautious if you want to pack your products in your hand or checked luggage.
Here are your options:
Can You Fly with CBD Oil in Your Checked Luggage?
Yes, checked luggage is actually the go-to option for taking CBD oil on a plane. Just make sure to pack your CBD wisely so that airport security can easily check it. You should also take the certificate of analysis with you and have it at hand in case the authorities want proof of its purity.
Can You Take CBD Oil on a Plane in Hand Luggage?
Yes, but you need to consider the volume of your product. Liquid products must not exceed 100 ml, so if you’re planning to take CBD oil on a plane, make sure it comes in standard 30-mL bottles.
Flying with Different Forms of CBD
Flying with CBD oil should follow the “FLOW” acronym, which means:
F: Flowering strains of hemp
L: lab-tested for THC content
O: Organic
W: Whole-plant
These points will help you determine the quality and safety of CBD products.
CBD is available in the following formats:
- CBD oil
- CBD vapes
- CBD edibles (e.g., gummies, honey sticks)
- CBD capsules
- CBD topicals
CBD oil and vape oil are the two most common formats. Their volume usually fits within the federal limits of onboard transportation.
If you want to take CBD in hand luggage, the best form is capsules or gummies because they don’t fall under the aforementioned volume restrictions. CBD topicals are another handy option — especially if you use CBD to target localized problems.
Can You Get Arrested for Flying with CBD Oil?
No, as long as it comes from hemp and is legal in your destination place. Otherwise, the airport security will treat you as if you’re trying to smuggle marijuana, which is a federal felony.
Below you’ll find a quick comparison between hemp and marijuana.
Taking Hemp-Derived vs. Marijuana-Derived CBD Oil on the Plane
The 2018 Farm Bill changed the legal landscape for cannabis plants, drawing a thick line between marijuana and hemp.
“Marijuana” refers to all flowering cannabis plants with THC levels over 0.3%. In other words, a CBD oil containing 1% of THC is considered a marijuana product — and traveling with it is a federal felony. Marijuana typically has between 5–30% THC, which can get you high.
Marijuana strains are bred for medicinal or recreational use; you can buy them only in states where marijuana was legalized. Still, traveling with CBD oil extracted from marijuana remains banned until federal legalization.
Hemp has a different legal status. This type of cannabis is a non-intoxicating substrain that has been grown for thousands of years for its durable fiber and a plethora of industrial applications. Today, farmers also grow hemp to produce high-CBD flowers, which are then extracted and turned into CBD oil.
As the new Farm Bill ruled out, all hemp derivatives are federally legal — including CBD supplements.
Other Ways to Travel with CBD
- In Mass Transit – you can expect similar policies when traveling with CBD oil by train, bus, or other sources of mass transit. Hemp-derived CBD that contains 0.3% THC or less is accepted by public transport if you’re traveling within the borders of the USA. If you take international connections, we recommend checking your destination’s regulations around hemp CBD products because some countries may ban them.
- In the Car – if you’re not planning to fly with CBD, you can safely travel with it by car. Unless you’re a backpacker, you won’t be crossing state borders with your CBD oil, so all you need to do is get familiar with the local law. As long as the THC levels in your CBD oil don’t exceed 0.3%, you shouldn’t have trouble with the law. You also don’t need to keep your products in the trunk or declare their possession if the police ask you to pull over.
Why Are People Taking CBD Oil on a Plane?
Many first-time travelers get stressed before a flight, so CBD can be helpful when it comes to easing the potential stress and uncertainty of traveling.
Some people experience elevated blood pressure or headaches before taking off. CBD oil is known for its ability to ease physical discomfort and relieve tension.
Taking CBD before a flight can take the edge off and help you get through that few hours above the Earth with a calm head.
Tips for Flying with CBD Oil
- Check the CBD laws in your destination – this may sound like a dead giveaway, but you should always be up-to-date with the local law, be it because of CBD or for other reasons that might get you into trouble with authorities.
- Research additional limits on CBD oil – as mentioned earlier, some countries allow you to bring full-spectrum CBD on board. In contrast, others accept only THC-free versions (broad-spectrum or isolate).
- Bring your lab reports with you – the certificates of analysis are the only way to prove that your CBD oil contains 0.3% of THC or less. It will save you a lot of time and nerves during a security check.
- Buy travel-size CBD – if you’re traveling only with hand luggage, your CBD oil will need to fit within the accepted limits. Airports usually allow 100 ml bottles on board, so it’s not a problem, but if you’re worried about potential transportation issues, consider another form of CBD, such as gummies, vapes, or capsules.
- Leave your CBD oil at home – if you’re not sure about the CBD laws in your destination, you can leave it at home and research your options once you arrive.
Final Verdict: Can You Take CBD Oil on a Plane?
CBD oil may come in handy if you’re traveling by plane, thanks to its stress-relieving properties. However, the murky laws surrounding cannabis make it difficult to figure out whether or not you can fly with CBD.
When it comes to hemp-derived CBD oils, they’re legal at the federal level in the United States, so you can take them on a plane when taking flights between states or traveling by bus, train, or car.
International travels require checking up on the local law at your destination. You should always have up-to-date lab reports at hand, and most of all, make sure that the country you’re traveling to accepts all forms of CBD oil.
Now flying with CBD will be easy as a, b, c.
