The Do's and Don'ts of Travelling Internationally With CBD Oil

Soft Secrets
03 Feb 2021

We can all agree that packing our luggage is not one of the world's most relaxing experiences. On the contrary, quite often, it's somewhat nerve-wracking: just imagine desperately searching your baggage to discover you left the one essential document needed at home, stressing over lost tickets, the dubious validity of your passport, or the required vaccinations.


The situation can get even more complicated if you want to travel with specific medications or products legal only in certain parts of the world, such as CBD oil. Although they’re often used all around the States, the norms and regulations regarding CBD-related products in different countries and continents typically vary. You may be surprised to find that in some cases, entering the country even just with one lonely bottle of CBD Body Lotion in the baggage is going to lead to legal consequences. That's why, especially when preparing for an international trip, you need first to make sure you can legally transport a particular product and not risk breaking the law. To make this task a bit easier, we've prepared a short guide to give you an idea of the Do's and Don'ts of traveling internationally with CBD oil, as well as provide you with some useful tips on how to prepare yourself for such a journey.

Do's:

There are three main rules that you should consider while traveling internationally with CBD oil.

Familiarize Yourself With the Law

Indeed, many countries around the world have already legalized recreational and medicinal marijuana in many forms. However, there are still many places where those rules are not that straightforward. To make sure you know the requirements for travel with CBD at the place you're heading to, check the region's official laws and legal norms regarding CBD oil. You can do it by contacting their embassy or customs agent. Typically, you might also check the official governmental sites to search for this information, but it's always best to confirm what you read online with a professional. Later, in case of any problems, you can refer to them.

Contact the Airline

If you're flying, you might also want to check directly with your airline or airport officials. Ask them about the rules regarding carrying CBD oil in check-in or carry-on baggage and whether you need to put the product in a security bag. The officials may also provide you with any further information regarding CBD product laws for your destination.

Bring All the Necessary Certificates

Having bought your CBD products from verified sources, you should have a certificate of analysis or documentation regarding your CBD oil, its THC percentage, and whether it was third-party tested. Always remember to take the documents with you wherever you're traveling. Due to the distinctions in the law regarding hemp-derived CBD and marijuana-derived CBD, you should also carry with you proof stating which one you’re traveling with. Make sure you have any test results proving your CBD oil is legitimate. The main rule is to be prepared and professional!

Don'ts:

Similarly, there are three big don'ts when it comes to traveling with CBD oil.

Don't Assume

Don't assume just because you traveled to the place sometime in the past, the law regulations in this region will still be the same. In fact, the laws regarding CBD oil in most countries are frequently changing. It's best to make sure regarding the legality of CBD in each country right before your travel.

Don't Hope for the Best

Don't assume you will slip under the radar. The airports' screening procedures are focused on security, and they are bound to detect any illegal substances if you carry them. Although officers do not search the bags just having your CBD oil in mind, the screening might detect it as a potential red flag. It's always better to check rules and regulations before you are caught with any illegal substances while going through security screening since the consequences can be severe. Don't assume it's going to be okay - simply be responsible.

Don't Leave it to Guess Work

You should know that certain cannabis-infused products will be legal in some countries, while others not, depending on the amount of THC in them. The officials may treat each CBD product differently, so don't assume that certain CBD products' legality in your travel destination equals all CBD products' overall legality in the region. When preparing for travel, always search for specific information regarding each product you have.

What About Domestic Flights?

Nowadays, it's still illegal under federal law to travel domestically with marijuana and certain cannabis-infused products, including cannabidiol (CBD) oil. At the same time, traveling domestically with a hemp-derived CBD oil with less than 0.3 percent of THC is legal under federal law but may not be legal under state law. In general, it’s always best to check the specific law of the state you’re traveling to. Please note that what might also differ across the states is the regulations regarding selling certain types of CBD.

Conclusion

The golden rule for traveling with any CBD products is to be prepared and informed. Although you might be under the impression that CBD products are popular and tolerated worldwide, that's far from true. In fact, their legal status in all countries varies significantly, and in some countries, their possession is heavily punishable by law. To not end up in a problematic situation, such as getting stuck in a foreign country far from home, always think about the CBD product you're traveling with beforehand. Remember, if any illegal substance is discovered in your baggage, the officials won't listen to your explanations. It's always better to stay informed and read about the law and regulations of the country you're visiting.

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Soft Secrets