Planning a city break in Copenhagen, Kraków or Prague and wondering whether your CBD can come too? CBD rules are not the same across Europe. A product that is fine in the UK can be treated differently abroad, and a product sold legally in another country may not be allowed back into the UK. This guide explains what UK travellers should check before they pack.
The short version
- Rules differ by country. Each country sets its own THC limits and decides how CBD foods, oils and vapes are classified.
- Check your product's THC content. Keep CBD in its original packaging and take a copy of the lab report (certificate of analysis).
- Don't bring foreign products back to the UK unless you are sure they meet UK rules.
- Buying locally at your destination is often simpler than packing CBD.
The UK rules you take with you
In the UK, CBD foods are novel foods regulated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). A CBD product must not contain more than 1mg of controlled cannabinoids such as THC per container. The FSA advises healthy adults to limit CBD from food to 10mg per day. These rules also apply when you come home: a product bought abroad does not automatically meet UK rules, even if it was sold legally where you bought it.
Flying with CBD oil and CBD vapes
- CBD oil counts as a liquid. In hand luggage, it must follow the usual 100ml rule and go in your clear liquids bag.
- CBD vapes and vape batteries belong in your hand luggage, not in checked baggage, because of the lithium batteries. You cannot use them on board.
- Gummies and capsules are not liquids, but keep them in their original, labelled jar.
- Airline and airport rules vary, so check them before you fly.
CBD in popular European destinations
Denmark
Denmark is stricter than many travellers expect. CBD cosmetics are widely sold, but CBD products you swallow, such as oils, are regulated much more tightly. Check the current Danish rules before you travel with CBD oil.
Poland
Poland allows hemp-derived CBD products with a low THC content. The THC limit and how it is measured (for example, whether THCA is counted) are set by Polish law, so only travel with products that clearly state their THC content.
Czechia
Czechia has one of the more liberal frameworks in the EU for hemp and CBD and raised its THC limit for hemp in 2022. Bear in mind that a product that is legal in Czechia can still be far above what the UK allows, so don't bring it home.
Buying CBD at your destination
Instead of packing CBD, many travellers buy it locally from an EU retailer that delivers within the country. One example is Canapuff, which sells CBD vapes in Denmark, CBD oils in Poland and CBD vapes in Czechia. It also has an English-language CBD vape range for other EU countries. Whatever you buy abroad, use it there: products made for EU markets are not made for the UK rules.
Travelling with nicotine pouches too?
Nicotine pouches follow completely different rules from CBD, and some European countries do not allow them at all. Read our guide CBD vs nicotine pouches: what's the difference?
Checklist before you go
- Check the CBD rules of your destination.
- Keep products in their original packaging with the lab report.
- Pack CBD oil under 100ml in your liquids bag, and keep vapes in hand luggage.
- Only take small personal amounts.
- Don't bring products bought abroad back to the UK unless they meet UK rules.
Back home, you can find our UK range of CBD gummies, CBD oils and CBD vape cartridges. To understand how strong a gummy is, read our CBD gummies UK guide.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change, so always check official sources for your destination before you travel.
