Can you travel with CBD in 2025? Legal guide to CBD by country

With the vacation season approaching, many people who use CBD are wondering if they can take it with them when traveling. Is it legal to fly with CBD? What happens at the airport security checkpoint? What if the destination is outside Europe?

In this article we update the legal status of CBD in 2025 in each country, to help you make an informed decision before packing any product in your luggage. Cannabidiol laws continue to evolve, and while in some places its use is standardized, in others it can pose serious legal problems.

Is it legal to travel with CBD in 2025?

The short answer is: it depends on the country, probably not. The legality of CBD varies greatly between territories, not only in terms of its sale and consumption, but also with respect to its entry or exit across borders, even if they are products without psychoactive effects. Although in many countries CBD is legal under certain conditions, that does not mean you can travel with it. Some require a medical prescription, others impose a zero tolerance policy for THC (even in traces), and in others it is forbidden to import cannabinoid products, even if they are available on the local market.

In addition, airlines may have their own policies and international airports apply strict security protocols, so it is crucial to be informed in advance.

In Europe, many travelers have a relaxed perception about the use of cannabis and CBD, as in most countries penalties for possession are usually light or administrative. However, in other parts of the world the law is totally different. In some countries, including toothpaste containing CBD in your luggage can be considered a serious offense.

General recommendations on traveling with CBD or hemp

• Consult the regulations of the country of destination and transit (stopovers). Laws change and are not always applied homogeneously.
• Check the type of product: oil, cosmetic, capsule, flower, e-liquid… Not all are allowed in the same countries.
• Avoid transporting CBD buds: because of their appearance and smell they can be mistaken for marijuana, which creates legal problems even if the product is not a narcotic.
• Always keep the original packaging and the purchase receipt (although this does not guarantee acceptance by the authorities, it may facilitate product identification).
• If you are traveling with therapeutic cannabis, add a translated prescription.
• If in doubt, the safest thing to do is not to carry CBD products and to purchase them at destination.

Can I take CBD on the plane?

CBD and airport screening: what to look out for

It is not recommended. On flights within Europe it may be possible to travel with CBD, as long as the destination country allows it and the product complies with local regulations. However, on international flights, the general recommendation is not to carry CBD products in luggage, either checked or carry-on, due to legislative differences and the risk of customs penalties.

Security controls and border authorities can detain any suspicious substance. Even if CBD is legal, THC levels cannot be tested on the spot, so they could confiscate the product and penalize you.

Because they look and smell like marijuana, CBD hemp flowers can be sniffed out by dogs and seized by the police, even if they are in their original packaging and you show the purchase receipt from the CBD store. It is impossible to analyze THC levels with reliable methods outside of a laboratory, so no one will be able to prove that it is hemp in situ. The legal consequences depend on the country you are in and the amount you are carrying.

Traveling with CBD in Europe (2025)

Europe remains one of the most tolerant regions with respect to cannabis and its derivatives, although legislation varies significantly between countries. A recent example of this disparity is the decision of the Italian Ministry of Health, which in April 2025 banned CBD, even with 0% THC, by classifying it as a narcotic drug. The measure was upheld by the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) of Lazio, and is currently under appeal, highlighting the lack of legal harmonization of CBD at the European level.

Generally speaking, traveling within Europe with hemp products such as CBD oils, creams or capsules is possible as long as the THC content is below 0.3% and the specific regulations of the destination country are complied with. Switzerland is a notable exception, allowing up to 1 % THC, while countries in Northern and Eastern Europe may apply more restrictive criteria.

It is important to remember that, although CBD is legal in Europe, each Member State independently regulates its marketing, use and entry of products. Therefore, before traveling (especially by plane), it is recommended to consult both local regulations and the airline’s policy.

Countries such as the Netherlands maintain a policy of tolerance towards cannabis, but do not have a clear regulation on CBD. In the case of Malta, despite having legalized the personal use of cannabis, a specific regulatory framework for CBD products has not yet been developed.

On intra-European routes, for example between Spain, Portugal, France or Germany, it is possible to travel with CBD oil if it complies with the legal THC limits and is correctly labeled. Even so, it is always advisable to check the current legislation and consult with the airline before the flight.

Traveling by car or train in Europe, Road trip or interrail

If you are traveling by car, bus or train, you will usually not encounter many problems, as there are usually no strict border controls between Schengen countries, or they are not focused on the search for CBD. But if you happen to pass through customs, CBD buds can cause you more than one setback. Hemp can be detected in drug tests, and the police may seize the product and fine you, although you may later be able to present your case. Also note that, above certain grams (depending on the country), you could be involved in a trafficking offense.

As general recommendations:

• Carry reasonable amounts for personal use.
• If you use it for therapeutic purposes, travel with a medical certificate (translated).
• Bring a prescription if your destination requires it (e.g. Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden). In Norway, 0 % THC.
• And if you come from outside the EU, buy CBD products in the country of destination.

Another setback can be cannabis gummies. The oral use of CBD is not regulated in many countries. For example, Belgium does not allow the entry of nutritional supplements containing CBD or parts of a cannabis plant, regardless of their THC content.

At Switzerlandthe Swiss country allows a 1% THC content in CBD products, higher than the legal limit allowed in neighboring France and Germany. The sale of CBD edibles, which are not authorized in bordering countries, is also allowed.

Traveling with CBD to England

In the UK, it is legal to sell CBD products as long as the product in question contains less than 0.2% THC, but the sale of CBD flowers is not allowed. We invite you to read more in our post on the legal situation of legal situation of CBD in England .

Traveling with CBD to the United States

The United States has a reputation for being very strict in its international borders, so, from the outset, not carrying cannabis or its derivatives in any form seems to be the best option.

You may have heard that marijuana is legal in more than 20 U.S. states, which may lead you to mistakenly think that it is safe to travel with CBD. However, regulations vary by state. At the federal level, the 2018 Farm Bill allows hemp-derived CBD as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC. However, many states restrict its use to medicinal purposes, which implies the obligation to present a valid medical prescription. Therefore, it is not recommended to enter the country with products containing cannabinoids, even if they are legalized in certain jurisdictions.

The TSA(Transportation Security Administration) warns about it on its social media: “We want you to have a pleasant airport experience and arrive safely at your destination. But flying with marijuana or cannabis products can really hurt your peace of mind. Let’s face it, TSA officers are not looking for marijuana . Our screening procedures are focused on security and detecting potential threats. But in the event we encounter a substance that appears to be marijuana or a cannabis product, federal law requires us to notify the authorities. This includes items that are used for medicinal purposes.“. These recommendations include internal flights. Therefore, even in states where it is legal, it is safest to buy it in the place where you land.

Traveling with CBD to the Middle East

If you are traveling to countries in the Middle East, make sure you do not carry any CBD or cannabis products with you.

In these regions, cannabis is heavily criminalized and laws and regulations are severe. Possessing CBD products, regardless of THC content, can lead to serious legal consequences, such as imprisonment or significant fines. One example is the Billy Hood case, a 25-year-old Londoner sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession of a CBD vape, in Dubai in the summer of 2022.

Traveling with CBD to Russia

Traveling with cannabis products to Russia is not recommended under any circumstances. Local legislation criminalizes the possession of cannabis, and although quantities of less than 6 grams are usually punishable by a fine or up to 15 days of detention, the legal framework remains strict. As for CBD, the regulations are not explicit, but there is a risk that it will be classified as an isomer of THC and therefore considered illegal. An illustrative example is the case of the American athlete Brittney Griner, sentenced to nine years in prison for carrying a CBD-containing vape cartridge in her luggage. More recently, in 2024, a German tourist was arrested for bringing in cannabis-infused jelly beans. Given this uncertain legal context, the most prudent thing to do is not to bring any cannabis products into the country.

Traveling with CBD to Asia

Traveling with CBD-containing products to Asian countries carries a high legal risk and, in most cases, is not recommended. The region is characterized by extremely strict laws regarding cannabis and its derivatives, including cannabidiol, with consequences ranging from high financial fines to imprisonment.

In mainland China, although CBD is not listed as a dangerous drug, it has been banned in cosmetics since 2021 and, since September 2024, it has been classified as a controlled precursor chemical. The authorities may also consider it an isomer of THC, which opens the door to interpretations that equate it to an illegal substance. Any attempt to enter the country with products containing it, even in minute quantities, can result in severe criminal penalties.

In Hong Kong, the legislation is even more stringent: since February 2023, CBD is included in the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO). Possession is punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment and fines of up to $1 million, and trafficking carries a life sentence. Arrests for carrying CBD have been reported in Hong Kong.

This zero tolerance approach is replicated in countries such as Sri Lanka, Indonesia (including Bali), Maldives, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam or the Philippines, where CBD is directly illegal.

In Thailand, although cannabis was decriminalized in 2018, the current legal framework is ambiguous and the government has backtracked on its legalization process. Although cannabinoid products can be purchased in the country, it is not recommended to enter with them.

In other countries such as Japan, CBD is legal only if it is completely free of THC, even in traces. In South Korea, medical cannabis is legal under medical prescription. In India, CBD is theoretically legal with a prescription, but its regulation is uncertain and subject to local interpretation.

Traveling with CBD to Oceania

If you are traveling to Australia, New Zealand or any Pacific Island, it is best not to carry CBD products. Although its medical use is legal in both countries, it is strictly regulated and only allowed with a doctor’s prescription.

In Australia, you are allowed to enter with CBD under the “Traveller’s Exemption”, as long as you carry a valid prescription and a quantity for up to three months of personal treatment. The product must be declared at customs.

In New Zealand, the rules are more restrictive: personal importation is not allowed, not even with a prescription. Only the patient himself can carry CBD with him, and it must be properly documented. This applies to oils, capsules, vapes or any format with CBD, even if it does not contain THC.

In other countries in Oceania, such as Papua New Guinea, Samoa or Tonga, cannabis is illegal and there are no clear regulations on CBD. Due to their cultural proximity to Asian regions with very strict legislation, traveling with CBD may involve a high legal risk.

Traveling with CBD to Africa

Traveling with CBD-containing products to African countries is not recommended. In the vast majority of the continent, CBD is illegal or unregulated, and authorities generally apply a zero-tolerance policy to both cannabis and its derivatives.

Countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar or Ivory Coast, among many others, expressly prohibit the possession of cannabis in any form, including CBD, even if it does not contain THC. Penalties can include heavy fines, detention and even imprisonment, depending on the country and the amount.

The only partial exception is South Africa, where legislation allows personal use and possession of cannabis, including CBD products, only under certain conditions. Although there is greater legal flexibility, it is not recommended to enter the country with CBD products, as import and possession regulations for travelers remain ambiguous and can lead to problems at customs.

Traveling with CBD to Canada

In Canada, although cannabis (including CBD) is legal for both medicinal and recreational use since the entry into force of the Cannabis Act in 2018, it is strictly prohibited to cross the border with any cannabis-derived product, regardless of its THC content or country of origin.

This includes oils, capsules, cosmetics, edibles and other formats with CBD, even if they are products purchased legally and without psychoactive effects.

As of 2025, Canadian border regulations remain clear and strict: bringing cannabis products into or out of the country is a federal offense, punishable by penalties that can include fines, confiscation of goods, and immigration or entry restrictions.

Traveling with CBD to Latin and Central America

As in other regions, it is not recommended to travel with CBD products to Latin American countries, as most of them only allow its use within a regulated medical framework, which implies medical prescription and compliance with specific legal requirements.

In countries such as Argentina, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia or Colombia, the use of medical cannabis is authorized, but access to CBD is limited to registered or prescribed patients, and personal importation is subject to prior approval. Introducing CBD products from abroad, even if they are for therapeutic use, may be considered illegal.

Some countries have more flexible regulations. In Uruguay, the use of cannabis is generally legalized, and CBD products can be purchased in pharmacies or authorized stores. Ecuador allows the marketing of CBD with a THC content of less than 0.1%, outside the exclusively medical field. Even so, for legal security, it is recommended to acquire these products once inside the country, and not to transport them in hand luggage or on international flights.

In most Central American countries such as Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador or Guatemala, cannabis is still prohibited or only allowed for strictly medicinal purposes and with prior official authorization. Local laws do not clearly contemplate the possession of CBD for foreign travelers, which can result in sanctions or confiscations at customs.

The main exception in the region is Mexico, where CBD is legal as long as it contains less than 0.2% THC. However, it is not allowed to bring CBD products on international flights, even if they comply with legal limits. This includes oils, capsules, cosmetics or vape liquids. Customs authorities can confiscate the product and, in some cases, initiate administrative proceedings.

Conclusion

• In general, if you travel by plane it is best to leave CBD on the ground. Within Europe CBD is legal, although some countries may not allow the entry of all or some CBD products (e.g. those containing traces of THC) or require a medical prescription. In case of doubts, always consult with the travel agency or flight company.
• Avoid traveling with CBD outside Europe. In countries where legal, purchase at destination.
• CBD regulations vary widely internationally, so it is crucial that you research and understand the regulations of your country of origin and destination, and don’t forget about the countries where you stop over.
• It is important to note that CBD regulations are subject to change.

Bon voyage, Cannactivist!