Yes, in most cases you can take Cannabidiol (CBD) on a plane. However, this does depend on where you’re flying to. Some countries are hesitant to allow travellers to bring CBD in due to its relation with Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the psychoactive compound from the same plant — and in others, CBD is illegal. For this reason, we recommend that you contact your airline and customs officials in advance, and check the laws in the place you’re flying to. As CBD is a liquid, you should also adhere to liquid regulations for your luggage.

Let’s look at all of this in more detail, including what you should consider when travelling with CBD.

CBD Law

Even if the product you purchased is legal at home, it might be considered illegal in your final destination. It is therefore essential to check the CBD laws in the place you’re travelling to, including countries where you might have a layover. 

To give you an idea of the legal status of CBD in different countries, we’ve compiled a table which details if it’s legal, how much you’re allowed within the law, and other information you should consider, such as if you require a prescription. *

* We recommend that all travellers confirm the legal status of CBD at the time of travel, as CBD laws can change and differ by region. 

Although it’s unlikely that you’ll have been prescribed CBD in the UK, if you do have a prescription or letter of authorisation, bring it with you for a hassle-free trip.

Liquid Law

Liquids in containers larger than 100ml cannot be taken on a plane as hand luggage. If you’re intending to bring CBD in your carry-on, you should make sure this adheres to the 100ml liquid rule. As with any liquid being taken through airport security, this should also be visible and stored in a clear plastic container.

Keep in mind that medicines aren’t limited by the 100ml rule if accompanied by a prescription or doctor’s note. Thus, if you have been prescribed CBD, you can ignore the liquid limit — just make sure to bring proof.

THC vs THC-Free CBD

Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate CBD are the three main types of CBD extract. Full-spectrum CBD contains trace amounts of THC (less than 0.2% to be legal in the UK), whereas broad-spectrum products do not. If you’re flying to somewhere with strict CBD regulations related to the THC content, broad-spectrum might be the safer option as it doesn’t contain THC and therefore shouldn’t show up on a drug test.

Regardless of what type of CBD you go for, it should be from a reputable brand that uses safe and certified processes, and is transparent about their ingredients and manufacturing processes — in particular as a 2022 Analysis of Over-the-Counter Cannabidiol Products in the United Kingdom found that of 29 CBD products available to British consumers, only 38% of the analysed products were within 10% of the advertised CBD content.

If you have chosen a reputable company for your CBD products, such as Purity Hemp, then you shouldn’t face this issue.

Product Label

Make sure that you travel with your CBD in its original packaging with the original product label, which should detail the THC content.

Lab Reports

In addition to the label, you could bring lab reports which detail what’s in your product (including THC content), and the confirmation email you received when you made the purchase. These should be available on the website you purchased from.

Can CBD Help with Fear of Flying? 

Whether it’s the anticipation of travelling to a new place or the fear of flying itself, getting on a plane might make you feel stressed or anxious. Cannabidiol (CBD) has proven anti-stress and anti-anxiety properties that could help you to overcome your nerves, as well as positive associations with other mental health conditions, such as bipolar.

Even for confident flyers, CBD has qualities associated with better sleep, so if you struggle to get to sleep when you’re mid-flight, it could help with that too. Indeed, researchers evaluated the effects of CBD treatment in 72 adults with either anxiety or sleep problems and, after 2 months, 78.1–79.2% of participants reported improvements in anxiety symptoms and 56.1% reported improvements to sleep.

Shop our full collection of flight-safe CBD products on our website, or learn more about the different types of CBD and how to choose the right product for you.

We are Purity Hemp, the UK’s #1 Online CBD Shop. Backed by science, and built on the principles of traceability, transparency & trust, we are dedicated to improving the health and wellness of all our customers.