Air Travel Tips: Can You Fly With CBD Oil?

There are many things you can do throughout the year. You could read one book a month, pick up a new hobby, or finally start the business you’ve been dreaming about at night. None of these options is a bad idea. But want to know what should also be on your list? Traveling. 

Going on a trip is always a great way to relax and unwind, explore new places, get outside of your comfort zone, or simply meet with family and friends you haven’t seen in a while. But jetting off without your essentials isn’t possible. 

Maybe you need to pack your favorite CBD oil, but you’re wondering if it’s legal to bring it on the plane. Can you fly with CBD oil? Or, will you have to consider stooping to questionable methods like sneaking it onto your flight?

Honestly, trying to hide your product while getting past TSA is never a good idea. It could easily lead to jail time, as it did for a 71-year-old woman in 2019. When TSA found CBD oil in her carry-on, they put her in a jail cell for two nights. So if you want to avoid the same result, you need to know whether CBD can actually come on the plane.

Can you fly with CBD oil? 

Luckily, you don’t have to travel without your favorite CBD oil. At least, that’s the case if you’re flying domestically within the U.S. On the TSA’s website, the organization makes it clear that it’s legal to bring hemp-derived CBD remedies and anything else the Food and Drug Administration has approved onto a plane. 

Of course, your CBD oil must contain no more than 0.3% of THC if you want to travel with it. Otherwise, it’s stepping out of the bounds the 2018 Farm Bill put in place for hemp-derived remedies.

It’s also worth knowing that the TSA doesn’t allow CBD oil onto its planes if the remedy comes from cannabis. In fact, any product that comes from cannabis is prohibited, so make sure the CBD oil you’re planning to travel with fits the description of what the TSA will allow on board. 

Can you fly internationally with CBD oil?

While traveling domestically with hemp-derived CBD oil is okay, doing so internationally may get tricky. Not every country is like the U.S. Even though some places may allow CBD oil within their borders, other countries have entirely different laws. 

For example, here’s a brief look at how some places handle traveling with CBD products: 

• Canada: While it neighbors the U.S., Canada does not allow people to bring CBD or cannabis products into the country. 
• Mexico: You cannot bring CBD remedies into Mexico, but you can legally buy them once you’re within its borders. 
• Central America: It’s possible to find some countries in Central America that allow you to travel with CBD oil and other products with less than 0.3% THC. One example is Costa Rica. 
• South America: The laws vary across every country in South America. For instance, you can bring your CBD oil to Brazil, but it must contain less than 0.2% THC.
• Africa: Officials are still discussing the regulations on CBD in Africa. However, in South Africa, you can have CBD, but it must contain less than 0.001% THC. 
• Middle East: In the Middle East, things are strict when it comes to CBD and cannabis possession. Even Dubai, a popular destination for the wealthy, hands out severe penalties if you possess CBD products. For example, officials sentenced a man from London to 25 years in prison because he had CBD in Dubai. 
• Europe: Laws vary across Europe. However, for the most part, it’s legal to travel with CBD remedies that have less than 0.3% THC. 
• Australia: You’re allowed to have CBD oil in Australia, but you must also have a medical prescription.
• Asia: Generally, countries in Asia are not CBD or cannabis-friendly. But India is lenient—you can have CBD oil without a permit. You can also have it in Thailand, but you can’t have more than a 30-day supply, and you need to have a permit from the FDA. 

Things are constantly changing when it comes to CBD, so it’s more than possible for countries in every continent to update their laws. Who knows? By the time you’ve read this article, a country could’ve changed its guidelines on CBD products.

That’s why it’s imperative to check a country’s laws on CBD before you fly there with your hemp-derived remedy. With things constantly in flux, you need to have the most updated information. 

What to expect from TSA

If you’re traveling to a place where you can bring CBD oil, you may pack your remedy in a carry-on bag. However, should you expect anything weird to happen at the TSA checkpoint? 

Well, according to the organization, you don’t have to worry. During the screening, security focuses on protecting passengers. They don’t actively search for hemp-derived products or even marijuana. And you don’t have to worry about a dog sniffing your luggage. The TSA K9s only look for explosives. 

Still, if security officers find something that appears illegal, they’ll bring it up to law enforcement, who will then handle the situation using their own procedures. In some cases, though, a security officer may let your item pass through the checkpoint. They have the final say on what gets through, so if they believe your CBD oil is indeed CBD oil, they’ll let it past security. 

Best practices for flying with CBD oil

When flying with CBD oil, there are best practices you should follow to make things go as smoothly as possible. Specifically, here are a few simple tips that you should implement: 

• Bring any prescription information with you, especially because some states and international countries require it if you want to use CBD.
• Keep your CBD oil in its original packaging.
• Pack the COA for your remedy to prove that it’s a hemp-derived product that contains the legal amount of THC.
• Don’t forget to research a state or country’s laws on CBD. 

Following these guidelines will help you avoid trouble as you’re traveling. The last thing you want is to start your trip with an unfortunate circumstance, so using the above tips will ensure you have a great traveling experience. 

Taking CBD oil along for the ride

Wanting to fly with your CBD oil is understandable. After all, it may be the only remedy you use to decrease anxiety, stress, or pain. However, sometimes, you can’t take your CBD oil along for the ride.

While this may be disappointing, take heart in the fact that regulations on CBD are in constant flux and could change. Also, enjoy the places that do allow you to bring your CBD oil. States across the U.S. are lenient with CBD possession—although the details around hemp-derived remedies may vary—and some countries are open to welcoming you, even with your CBD oil in hand. 

Check out Kat’s Naturals CBD oil products to find your favorite new remedy!