How to Travel with CBD Legally in 2025

CBD has become a staple in many wellness routines. It eases anxiety, aids sleep, and manages pain. But can you travel with your CBD products?

The good news is that hemp-derived CBD is legal federally in the U.S. thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. TSA and law enforcement have adjusted their policies. However, traveling with CBD in 2025 still requires precautions and awareness of the rules.

This guide covers how to pack CBD for air travel, what TSA allows, driving considerations, and international travel tips. Follow these guidelines to travel legally and safely with your CBD.

Why Travel with CBD?

Many people use CBD to manage travel-related issues. It helps calm flying anxiety, reduces travel stress, eases inflammation from long flights, and aids sleep in new time zones.

If you get nervous on airplanes, a dose of CBD gummy or oil might take the edge off without impairment. Travelers bring CBD oils, gummies, and creams on trips.

Regulators have acknowledged CBD’s legitimacy. TSA states that products containing hemp-derived CBD with under 0.3% THC or FDA-approved CBD medications are generally allowed on planes.

Flying Domestically with CBD

You can bring CBD oil, edibles, and other products in both carry-on and checked luggage within the United States. TSA says: “Products that contain hemp-derived CBD oil or are FDA-approved are generally legal and can fly.”

The critical factor is THC content. CBD items must contain no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. This is the federal limit distinguishing hemp from marijuana.

Most broad-spectrum or isolate CBD products are fine. Full-spectrum hemp products are okay as long as they meet the 0.3% rule.

TSA focuses on security threats, not drugs. They’ve explicitly said CBD is not their concern if it’s lawful hemp. However, if they find something suspicious or over the limit, they will involve law enforcement.

Packing Guidelines

Liquid Limits: Keep CBD liquids in 3.4oz or smaller containers in your carry-on. The TSA’s 3-1-1 rule applies to CBD oils, tinctures, and vape liquids. Pack your 30ml CBD dropper bottle in your clear liquids bag.

Original Packaging: Keep your CBD in its original labeled container that clearly says “CBD” and “hemp-derived” or “0.0% THC” if applicable. Professional labels reassure inspectors that it’s a legitimate product.

Documentation: Carry the product’s Certificate of Analysis (COA) from the manufacturer showing THC content ≤0.3%. Print this from the company’s website. While rarely needed, it provides peace of mind.

CBD Vapes: You can bring CBD vape pens or dry herb vaporizers in carry-on, not checked baggage. Lithium batteries can’t go in the hold. Cartridges with CBD e-liquid are fine as long as they’re hemp with <0.3% THC.

No THC: TSA cannot easily distinguish CBD from THC. Don’t carry actual marijuana or THC vapes thinking they’ll assume it’s CBD. If they find real cannabis, it’s technically illegal federally.

If an Agent Questions Your CBD

If your CBD oil raises a flag, agents might test it or call local law enforcement. This is unlikely but has happened. Have documentation and calmly explain: “This is hemp CBD oil, legal under federal law.”

In the worst case, an agent may confiscate it if unconvinced. Reports suggest enforcement is lax - items might be taken but you won’t be arrested as long as it’s CBD.

Driving or State-to-State Travel with CBD

When road-tripping across state lines, you mostly have free rein with hemp CBD. However, be mindful of specific state laws.

Federally, hemp CBD is legal in all 50 states. A few states have stricter rules or nuances. Idaho historically only legalizes CBD with 0% THC, not even 0.3%. South Dakota was initially unfriendly to hemp.

By 2025, many states have updated laws to align with federal standards. Double-check current state regulations if carrying large quantities or products that might be mistaken for marijuana.

Driving Guidelines

Original Packaging: Keep products in original packaging in the trunk or glove box. If stopped, clearly show it’s CBD. A labeled bottle of “Hemp CBD Oil - 500mg” is better than an unmarked dropper.

CBD Flower: If you have CBD flower, keep the receipt or COA. Hemp bud can look and smell exactly like THC cannabis. Some law enforcement might not be up-to-date on hemp laws.

Quantity: There’s no specific limit on hemp CBD possession for personal use. Stick to reasonable personal-use amounts.

Hemp-Derived Only: Ensure what you carry is hemp-derived (≤0.3% THC). Marijuana-derived CBD oil from dispensaries might have 1-2% THC and could be illegal outside its state of origin.

State Nuances: By 2025, CBD for medical use is legal in all 50 states. Some states ban certain hemp products like Delta-8 THC or smokable hemp. Idaho requires 0% THC - consider CBD isolate products when traveling through Idaho.

Driving Safety: CBD is non-intoxicating and doesn’t impair driving. However, high doses can make some people drowsy. Don’t experiment with new CBD products while driving.

International Travel with CBD

Rules for CBD vary widely by country. There is no unified international standard. Some countries treat CBD like any cannabis (illegal), others allow it under certain THC limits, and a few have embraced it fully.

Research the laws of your destination and any transit countries. As a general rule: if unsure, leave your CBD at home when going abroad. You can often buy CBD in many countries upon arrival.

Country-Specific Guidelines

Canada: Recreational cannabis including CBD is legal. However, it’s illegal to bring cannabis across the Canadian border without permission. Don’t bring CBD into Canada or take Canadian CBD out. Buy it locally instead.

Europe: The EU generally allows CBD products with <0.2% THC. Countries like the UK, France, Germany, and Italy have legal CBD markets. Flying between EU countries with CBD is usually fine if it meets THC limits.

Asia: Many Asian countries have strict drug laws. Japan allows zero-THC CBD only. Any THC, even 0.2%, is illegal. Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia have zero tolerance. Don’t attempt to bring CBD into these countries.

Latin America: Laws vary. Mexico legalized medical cannabis and allows CBD products under 1% THC. Tourists generally haven’t had issues with CBD there. Central America is mixed.

Australia/New Zealand: Australia treats CBD as prescription-only. You need special permission to import it. New Zealand similarly views CBD as controlled medicine.

International Travel Tips

If traveling abroad, purchase CBD at your destination if legal there rather than carrying it through customs. If you do carry it:

1. The country explicitly allows CBD and specifies THC percentage
2. Your product meets those requirements in original packaging
3. You have documentation if possible
4. You declare it on customs forms if required

Customs agents in foreign countries may not differentiate CBD from THC well. Language barriers could complicate explanations. When in doubt, leave it out.

Extra Travel Tips for CBD

Keep it Low-Key: Avoid flaunting your CBD at airport security. Don’t declare it to TSA. Pack it like vitamins or supplements. If they pull your bag, mention “I have CBD oil” if asked about liquids.

Don’t Sneak THC: Don’t label THC vapes as “CBD” hoping they’ll pass. Drug-sniffing dogs can detect cannabis compounds. TSA screening can flag suspicious cartridges.

Storage: Ensure your CBD oil bottle is tightly sealed. Put it in a Ziploc bag to prevent leaks from cabin pressure changes. Keep vape cartridges upright or in a protective case.

Using CBD While Traveling: It’s fine to take CBD during transit. Have CBD gummies on the flight if you feel anxious. CBD capsules are convenient for flights. Don’t use vaporizers on the plane.

International Mail: If going abroad long-term, consider mailing CBD to yourself if legal at destination. Be cautious - international shipping can run into customs issues.

Summary

In the U.S., traveling with CBD is generally easy and legal. Pack properly, keep THC under 0.3%, and you should be fine. States have largely harmonized with federal law, though a few strict states warrant caution.

Internationally, it’s a patchwork. In many places, you must be as careful as if it were marijuana. Many travelers successfully fly with CBD daily. TSA officers have seen it all by now.

Don’t let fear stop you from bringing a helpful remedy on your trip. Do your homework for your destination, and when in doubt, err on the side of caution. Safe travels with your CBD in hand and anxiety checked at the gate.