Is CBD free shipping available? Travelling and Flying with CBD

These are strange times we’re living in, and with people going out less than average, our online sales are going up and up.

With that, comes a lot of questions about whether it’s okay to ship CBD or not. So keep reading, because we’re going to answer that question, plus a few others!

Is It Legal To Ship CBD?

I’m usually a behind-the-scenes person at Ablis. I handle our accounting and a lot of logistics, including shipping!

Lately, I’ve been getting A LOT of questions from customers about whether they can legally ship CBD, whether it’s ordering online from our website or sending products to a friend or loved one.

Well, I have good news for you! You can send and receive CBD via mail, whether through USPS or a private carrier like UPS or FedEx.

As a reminder, CBD is legal at the federal level, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. So shipping it domestically is not an issue. But, because CBD markets vary from state to state and the lingering stigma around CBD and cannabis, it’s easy to understand why there is so much confusion.

There are two things to keep in mind when it comes to shipping CBD:

1. Make Sure You Know the Legal Definition of CBD.

CBD comes from the Cannabis plant, which includes both hemp and marijuana. From a legal standpoint, the big difference is that hemp cannot contain more than .03%THC. Anything over that limit is considered marijuana, which is still illegal at the federal level.

So, the big takeaway here is to make sure that you’re choosing CBD products derived from hemp, such as Ablis. Then you can have the peace of mind that you’re playing by all the rules.

2. Keep in Mind That CBD Has Been Banned in a Few States.

There are a handful of states that aren’t CBD-friendly. Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota have bans on hemp-sourced CBD, which means you won’t find people growing hemp or producing CBD products locally. The laws don’t address shipping specifically, so we recommend reaching out to a state representative for more information.

What About Flying With CBD? Is That OK?

Not many people are flying these days unless they really have to. But, if you’re one of those people and use CBD regularly, it’s super important to be able to bring it with you when traveling.

Guess what? There’s more good news! Yes, you can fly domestically with CBD.

You may have heard the horror story of a 71-year-old woman arrested in Dallas in 2019 for having CBD oil, but don’t let that scare you. After that incident, TSA updated its CBD guidelines to reflect the law.

Like I said in the section above because CBD is federally legal, it’s OK to take it on a plane, either in a carry-on or in checked luggage.

Many people get freaked out about taking their CBD through TSA, so here are a few tips for making it through security:

Follow TSA’s liquid guidelines: You’re allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in your carry-on bag, but each container must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less.

Choose professionally packaged products: Choose CBD products that won’t raise any red flags. For example, our topicals and concentrates look like typical toiletries, so they’re good travel choices. But bringing something like a vape pen filled with CBD oil or hemp flower might alarm a TSA agent who doesn’t know that CBD and THC are two different things.
Be confident: You know you’re not doing anything illegal, so be confident when going through security. Sometimes nervousness and uncertainty can raise suspicion, even when you’re following all the rules. Attitude is everything!
Shipping is an alternative: If you’re still really nervous about flying with CBD, try shipping your products to your destination ahead of time. It may cost a few extra bucks, but it will reduce the stress of traveling.

What About Crossing International Borders?

I’m going to keep this short and to the point. This one is a big no-no. I want to say that right off the bat.

International travel is pretty restricted right now, but if you are planning to cross an international border by plane or car, you will need to go through a customs check.

Even though CBD is legal in many other countries, you shouldn’t transport it from country to country.

For example, CBD is legal in Canada; it’s illegal to bring it across the border without authorities’ permission. On the other hand, Mexico does allow travelers to carry CBD with them into the country, but we still don’t recommend doing that.

Taking CBD through an international checkpoint is not worth the risk. If something does happen, you’ll be left in the hands of a foreign government, and things could get messy. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Bottom line: Don’t do it.

Do you have more questions about shipping CBD or traveling with it? Fire away! Let us know how we can help.