Can You Take CBD Oil on a Plane in the UK?

More popularly known as CBD, cannabidiol is one of over a hundred of hemp’s cannabinoids. These are chemical compounds that can be extracted from the cannabis or marijuana plant, cannabis Sativa, or cannabis indicia. Research suggests that CBD may help fend off various ailments, but you probably know that already. What you want to know is, can you take CBD oil on a plane in the UK?

The answer is good news. Just like when travelling in the UK, you shouldn’t have any issues with taking CBD oil with you when travelling out of the country. While that is true, there is more you need to know before you fly with your CBD.

We’ll give you here all the info you need so you can travel in confidence. This includes how you should carry it, the countries where it’s okay to do so, and, importantly, the countries to avoid. Let’s find out more!

Can You Take CBD Oil On A Plane in the UK?

It is absolutely legal to fly to and from the UK carrying CBD oil in your luggage, as long as it complies with the rules and conditions set out by UK law.

For example, CBD should not contain more than 0.2% of THC, and the product must be labelled as a food supplement. If you have bought your CBD oil from a reputable supplier, there shouldn’t be any problem.

Although it is unlikely that CBD oil will be prescribed as part of regular medication in the UK, it would be best to carry your prescription with you, if you have one.

In the UK, it is entirely up to you if you prefer your CBD oil in your hand luggage for convenience while you travel, or pack it in your check-in luggage for use at your final destination after the flight.

You can likewise bring back your CBD oil to the UK if you have bought it legally elsewhere, as long as it abides with UK regulations and UK law.

Carrying CBD oils in your hand luggage

Some CBD users are nervous fliers or need to take the supplement at a specific time of the day, so they prefer their CBD oils and products nearby. Likewise, carrying their CBD oil in their hand luggage is preferred by those who don’t want to worry about losing their checked-in luggage or about a delayed release on arrival at the destination.

If the CBD oil will be carried in the hand luggage, it should not be more than 100ml and should be placed in a clear plastic bag so that it is visible, as per the rules of airport securities. Doing so will provide a smooth airport experience and shorter hold-ups, so make sure you’ve organized everything in advance.

If you don’t need your CBD oil for the flight, then it may be easier to put it in your checked-in luggage. The need to carry liquids in a clear bag means that you have to carry them separately from your carry-on bag until you get through security. If you have other liquids with you, this can be a bit of a hassle.

Flying with CBD oil from the UK to Europe

Even if UK borders and domestic airport security are open to the idea of having CBD oil during travel, other international destinations have different regulations and restrictions.

Before travelling with CBD oil, remember that every country has its own set of customs rules and security laws. When flying, there will surely be strict check-in controls. Expect that your luggage will be thoroughly searched and scanned. While you may not encounter any problems, it’s always the best idea to double-check the laws of the specific country that you’re travelling to.

That being said, most European countries are very relaxed about the use of CBD oils. In recent European legislation, it was decided that CBD oil should not be counted as a drug.

Is there a chance you’ll be arrested?

You won’t have an issue with any UK airport when travelling with CBD oil and you shouldn’t have an issue in any European airport. If you’re not breaking the law, then you don’t need to worry about being arrested.

If you’re travelling to a country that has stricter laws, then you may encounter a problem. In these situations, it’s wise to contract your airline provider or read up on the laws from that country.

Even if it’s illegal in that country, the likeliest outcome is that your CBD product will simply be taken away. However, ignorance is never a good defence. Make sure you’re following the rules from both the country you’re flying from and the one that you’re flying into.

Countries to avoid when travelling with CBD oil

While you may take CBD oil on a plane in the UK, other countries may be different. CBD is already legal in most European countries, including the Netherlands, Finland, Germany Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Ireland, Greece, France, Cyprus, and more.

A few European countries have certain restrictions. For example, Norway requires a CBD prescription, while Ukraine and Sweden only allow CBD products that contain no THC. CBD is also legal in Austria, but may not be sold as a food supplement. Belgium and Russia, on the other hand, consider CBD as illegal.

In the USA, CBD is legal at the federal level as long as it contains under 0.3% of THC and is produced from industrial hemp. However, some states may have additional restrictions.

In Australia, it is fairly legal but should always come with a proper prescription. Japan only allows CBD products that don’t contain any traceable amount of THC. CBD products are not yet acceptable in China, Egypt, India, and many parts of Asia.

As for Africa, South Africa only allows CBD oil if you have a prescription for it. The majority of countries in Africa consider CBD oil illegal, so be sure to double-check your destination’s laws before embarking on your journey.

What is the best CBD oil to fly with?

Whenever you’re travelling with CBD oil, you want to be careful. Not only do laws differ from one country to the next but you also need to worry about ill-informed airport security officials who may see “CBD” and presume it should be treated like cannabis.

Due to this, you want to travel with a CBD oil that is from a reputable manufacturer that can easily be referenced and checked. It is best that any products that you carry comply with the standards set out by the UK.

Different countries also have different laws pertaining to how much THC can be included. For the greatest peace of mind, it’s best to carry CBD oil that has a THC level of 0.2%, which is the THC level allowed in the UK.

Summary

To sum up, can you take CBD Oil on a plane in the UK? If you’re travelling to the UK then the answer is yes, you may. UK law allows you to bring CBD oil in your hand luggage if it is not more than 100ml or if it is packed in your suitcase.

If you’re travelling out of the UK, then it depends on your destination. It is always recommended that international flight passengers should check with their airlines first as well as their destination airport before embarking on their journey with CBD oil on them. This includes changeover points as well. 

FAQs

Could you take CBD oil on a plane back in 2020?

Rules and regulations regarding CBDs haven’t changed much since 2020. You could—and can—bring CBD oil on a plane if the country you are from and going into both consider CBD oil and CBD products to be legal.

In the UK and most European countries, that’s not going to be an issue. You will be able to take CBD oil on a plane but need to be mindful of airport security regulations and the liquid requirements for hand luggage.

Can I pack CBD oil in my checked-in luggage?

Yes, you may pack your CBD oil in your checked-in luggage provided you are travelling from a country where CBD is legal like the UK, and your final destination is also a country that allows CBD. Checked-in luggage is often the easiest way to carry CBD oil unless you want it for more immediate use, such as to fend off flight anxiety.

You may also take CBD oil in your hand luggage as long as it’s under 100ml. Given that most CBD oil is sold in bottles well below this figure, this shouldn’t be an issue. As long as you’re following the regulations, you may carry CBD oil however you want.

Do airlines test for CBD?

Airline security officers will most likely know all about CBD oil and will have the latest information on it. Due to this, you should have no issues with CBD products. If a member of security is suspicious, then a superior officer should soon give you the green light, as long as your CBD product meets the legal requirements, of course.

If you’re worried about CBD making you fail a drug test, then you should know that these tests usually look for THC metabolites. Any CBD oil bought legally should only have traces of THC, so this shouldn’t be a problem. However, this is another reason why it’s important to get your CBD oil from a reputable source, as some manufacturers may produce mislabelled CBD oil with more THC than reported on the label.

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