Shipping CBD Oil Abroad Legally – Complete Guide

Introduction

Over the past few years, the buzz around cannabidiol has intensified, and that comes as no surprise, really. With the increasing legalization of CBD, investors are head over heels for this industry. The market is projected to be worth over 16 billion dollars by 2024. Simply incredible.

The trading of CBD products within the country is at all-time highs. However, legally shipping CBD oil internationally can be challenging. You must be well informed about the CBD oil market because various laws and regulations guide its advertisement and distribution.

Here, we will thoroughly examine what you need to know about the legality of shipping CBD oil abroad. Let’s dive in!

CBD – What you need to know

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the numerous identified cannabinoids extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD, along with Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), constitutes chiefly 40% of the plant’s extract. Cannabidiol products come in different forms, including oils, patches, isolates, edibles, etc. The choice of product depends on the target audience.

Considerably, many think CBD and THC are the same. Let’s clarify the misconception. THC is the primary psychoactive substance that invokes the sensation of feeling high when most people take cannabis. The incessant abuse of THC has made its distribution illegal in most countries. Unlike THC, though, CBD is non-intoxicating.

CBD products usually do not contain THC, but not always. Here’s why. CBD can also be obtained from hemp, a special breed of Cannabis sativa plant that has a small amount of THC. Hence, not all CBD products are legal.

CBD products are majorly prescribed for their health benefits, unlike other cannabis products. Clinical studies have demonstrated their effectiveness in treating various health issues like anxiety, pain, seizure disorder, a muscle disorder referred to as dystonia, Parkinson’s disease, and lots of other conditions.

CBD, as an approved prescription drug, cannot be legally included in dietary supplements, but some CBD products are labeled as dietary supplements in the market. These products do not usually contain the amount of CBD stated on the label.

Are THC and CBD Legal?

Tetrahydrocannabinol is illegal in many areas worldwide, including the United States, limiting its sale. However, CBD is widely legalized throughout the country, although there are still some restrictions regarding marketing CBD products.

Perhaps the most current development in the legalization of CBD is the 2018 Farm Bill passed in the United States. This law essentially legalized the commercial production of hemp. Manufacturers can grow industrial hemp and sell CBD products legally within the United States.

Although selling CBD products is legal, the products must not contain more than 0.3% THC. While some states allow for the sale of CBD products manufactured from marijuana, some states only allow CBD products from industrial hemp. In other countries, they have lesser permissible THC content.

Can You Ship CBD Oil Legally?

Yes, you can legally ship CBD oil through the mail. But it’s not as simple as you would want. The legality of shipping CBD differs from state to state. To sell CBD oil, you will want to check what the state-specific laws speculate about CBD before shipping. This is to ensure you remain compliant and not have your product confiscated, or even worse, get yourself arrested.

Using USPS to Ship CBD Oil Products

Shipping CBD oil abroad using the United States Postal Service (USPS) is not difficult. The CBD oil is a lightweight item; therefore, depending on the quantity, you will be charged considerably.

It is also compulsory to adhere to the rules and regulations of USPS and federal laws before shipping CBD oil. The guidelines laid out by USPS as of 2019 are still relevant today. You can ship CBD oil products using USPS, provided the following requirements are met:

• Your CBD oil product does not contain more than 0.3% THC.
• It must be derived from the hemp plant and not directly from cannabis.
• You need to have a self-signed certification statement approved by the state authorities.
• A statement identifying the CBD oil producer as a registered and licensed industrial hemp producer and clarifying you are certified to market CBD oil products.

Additionally, you should retain records establishing compliance with these laws, including laboratory reports, licenses, or compliance reports, for no less than two years after shipping.

Can You Ship to All 50 states?

Yes, but you must monitor your supplier’s quality before shipping. Sourcing from a licensed supplier reduces the risk of contaminated CBD products. This makes sense, considering how easy it is to adulterate CBD oil products with THC.

This goes without saying that the FDA firmly frowns against distributing marijuana-containing products in the guise of selling CBD products. Neglecting these legal regulations is perhaps the fastest way to get your business shut down.

Therefore, you must steadily comply with all these highlighted conditions and provide the required documents to maintain a hitch-free business

How to Package and Ship CBD Oil Products

Perhaps, one of the most integral parts of a product is its packaging, and CBD oil, in this case, is not exempted. Getting CBD oil products properly packaged and labeled for shipping is not as easy as it looks.

It doesn’t matter if you are a wholesaler, retailer, or any other distributor, the packaging of your product impacts your sales. Here’s how to go about it.

Prepare your paperwork in order

Depending on your location and the destination of the products to be shipped, you might be required to provide all the necessary documents certifying that your products are legally compliant and ready to go.

Even if you will ship through a private courier, ensure your products meet the guidelines so they won’t be confiscated.

It is sometimes unlikely to be asked to present enormous lab reports; however, ensure you keep these documents handy in case they will be needed.

Use an appropriate Shipping box

It is imperative to select and use an appropriate shipping box that can safely protect the CBD oil products up to the point of delivery to the end-user.

Depending on the quantity, choose the correct box with accurate dimensions and then place the CBD oil gently inside the box. Do well to tape the box outside to lock open ends. You can further ensure its safety by using bubble wraps, airbags and the like.

Adequate packaging is essential when shipping internationally to avoid unforeseen outcomes. The appealing setup of the package at the final destination might just help you secure consistent patronage.

Book your package for pickup

This has to be the easiest task. Once your CBD oil products are well packaged and ready for shipping, you can schedule a pickup from the courier service at your preferred location.

Shipping CBD Oil Internationally

In recent years, the demand for CBD oil and other hemp-based product has immensely increased. Not everyone who tries to sell CBD oil abroad eventually succeeds. Most of these sellers are eager to distribute their products internationally while neglecting the fundamentals binding the sale of CBD oil and related products.

You must consider a few crucial factors before you ship your CBD oil products internationally. They are as follows:

The Destination of the CBD Oil Product

We have discovered that shipping CBD oil abroad can be more exhausting, depending on where you are shipping the product.

While CBD oil distribution is legal in several countries, the United States does have stricter restrictions. Some countries like Canada have rigid laws related to selling CBD products imported from the US, while some countries have altogether banned the product.

The CBD products to be legally sold in Canada must pass through a lengthy and complex application process in its health ministry and licensing agency. In the long run, you might find this exhausting, ultimately impacting your productivity.

Moreover, the United Kingdom allows CBD oil products shipped from the US to be sold less strictly, provided the products meet the required standard. The UK law explicitly states that the CBD oil product should not contain more than 1mg of THC.

The Laws and Regulations Peculiar to the Country

Depending on where you plan on shipping your CBD product, it is vital to research the regulations speculated by each country on CBD oil distribution to ensure you are compliant.

In some countries, CBD oil is classified as controlled. Shipping to such countries might result in legal consequences. Some even end up in jail for neglecting the regulations laid out by the authorities.

Generally, to ship the CBD product abroad, you should note the following:

• The CBD oil product must contain less than 0.2% THC
• Must be extracted from the hemp plant.

Where Can You Ship CBD oil?

Let’s briefly mention countries that banned and allowed CBD oil. As of 2019, CBD oil is permitted in the following nations.

• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Columbia
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Belize
• France
• Mexico
• Switzerland
• South Korea
• Argentina
• Estonia
• Denmark
• Germany
• Georgia
• Hong Kong
• Greece
• Guam
• Guatemala
• Finland
• India
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Malta
• Netherland
• Norway
• Peru
• Portugal
• Poland
• Paraguay
• Romania
• Slovakia
• South Africa
• Sweden
• Virgin Islands
• Uruguay
• New Zealand
• Czech Republic
• Austria
• Antilles
• Luxembourg

CBD oil is banned in the United Arab Emirates, Russia, and Malaysia.

In some countries like Australia, there are instances of constantly changing laws. This causes the shipping laws to vary consequently.

In previous years, Australia didn’t authorize importing CBD products without an approved license or permit. However, recent amendments permit CBD oil products to be imported, provided they follow the regulations appropriately. These regulations are that the CBD product should:

1. Contain less than 0.005% of THC
2. Have a total CBD content of 0.0075%

In contrast to other countries, these laws are more stringent. Hence, before shipping CBD oil abroad, it is crucial to carefully research each country’s laws and regulations to avoid unwanted surprises.

Importance of Knowing the Rules and Laws of CBD Shipping

Selling CBD oils or other hemp-based products from home or online can be fun and profitable. Expanding your business by shipping CBD oil products abroad can be way more lucrative.

However, when legally shipping CBD oil internationally, some pivotal factors must be considered.

Accessing and knowing the right shipping regulations, such as the federal, state, and local laws is necessary. Examples are the Agricultural Act of 2014 and the Agricultural improvement Act of 2018. These laws pertain to hemp production, processing, distribution, and sales.

Further, conducting the necessary testing of your CBD oil products and monitoring your supplier’s quality will prevent avoidable penalties by the FDA. We cannot simply overstate that the FDA firmly frowns on selling marijuana marketed as CBD.

Thus, knowing these regulations will keep you on the right side of the law, saving you time and resources, avoiding potential legal problems, and ultimately making your business flourish.

Conclusion

If you plan on shipping CBD oil abroad legally, you must have adept knowledge of the laws and regulations applicable to the location before shipping. It might be exhausting, but you should do it the right way.

Trust us; it is not worth the risk of having your package confiscated at the border control or experiencing the legal consequences of shipping a controlled substance abroad. Be sure to keep a close eye on what changes with CBD regulations across the globe. That way, you avoid potential legal troubles.

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