Can you take CBD on a plane?

Sun, sea and CBD

With the rise of CBD products being used in everyday wellness routines, the question arises, “is it legal for me to take my CBD product abroad?”. We hear this all the time and because CBD is derived from cannabis, there is a lot of confusion about what is and isn’t allowed. In the UK, CBD products are legal when they contain less than 0.2% THC (the psychoactive compound from hemp) and a similar rule applies when carrying CBD products such as CBD drinks or CBD oil on a flight. But, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of the regulations for the UK and further afield, so you can travel in confidence. So, let us get into a little more detail about sun, sea and CBD.

What exactly is CBD?

CBD is a cannabinoid derived from the hemp plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD is a non-psychomimetic cannabinoid, so it won't make you high. Using various topical and ingestible CBD products can help you in a number of ways by interacting with your endocannabinoid system. CBD is frequently used by people to alleviate anxiety, stress, or sleeping issues (all great benefits if you’re a nervous flyer), but we also love it for providing better focus, mental clarity and a feeling of balance.

Endocannabi-what?

Similar to cannabinoids, endocannabinoids are produced by our own bodies. When the endocannabinoid system is functioning properly, it positively affects mood, memory, and sleep as well as some health factors like inflammation, the cardiovascular system, liver function, and the reproductive system. The endocannabinoid system also regulates a number of bodily processes, many of which are vital to maintaining good health. So, even if you don't take any CBD products, your body’s endocannabinoid system is still work 9 to 5. But, you can give it a nice boost with with some additional CBD products.

Is it legal to take CBD products, such as CBD drinks or CBD oil, on a plane?

So, CBD sounds great, right? And we can totally understand - with all these benefits - why you wouldn’t want to leave your CBD products at home when you travel. Good news! It’s totally legal to travel with CBD, as long as certain regulations are followed.

In the UK, it’s important that the CBD products you’re travelling with have less than 1mg of THC in them and they’re marked as a food supplement. If you’re buying your CBD products from a trusted seller, this shouldnt be a problem, as all CBD products sold in the uk must comply with a 0.2% THC volume regulation.

If you’re products pass this test, then great! You can fly with them either in your hand luggage or in the hold. Remember, if your CBD is in a liquid form, like a CBD oil or topical cream, it needs to be 100ml or less and stored in a clear plastic bag when travelling with it in your handluggage. Many CBD oil users like to carry their products with them on their flight to alleviate any anxiety when flying. 

If you’re travelling with our INTUNE drinks then you’ll need to out them in your luggage as they superceed the maximum ml requirements. Again, this is totally safe to do and will mean you have a lovely refreshing CBD drink upon landing to get you in the zone!

If you’re still unsure, we recommend to double check with your airline provider and/or airport before travelling with CBD products in your hand- or hold-luggage to make sure your flight is fuss-free.

Can you travel back to UK with CBD?

It’s not a problem to bring CBD products back into the UK that you’ve bought legally abroad, as long as they align with the previously stated UK law and customs’ regulations. Keep in mind that each person is given an allowance for goods purchased abroad that you can bring back into the UK - either as gifts or for yourself - which typically refers to products like booze or tobacco products. It’s always good to check these limits in advance.

While the UK’s border laws are fairly flexible when it comes to travelling internationally with CBD products, there are many nations across the globe that consider CBD illegal or requiring perscription. Below we’ve outlined the current legal status of these nations (as of February 2023). Don’t forget to take into consideration any stop-overs during your flight!

Disclaimer

We’ve hopefully cleared up your biggest questions around travelling with CBD, which for the most part should be an easy and enjoyable experience. But, we are not experts on the law, so HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you check with local authorities before travelling with CBD products, especially if you have a large quantity or have purchased products abroad.

Happy holidays!