U.S. Issues New Warning About Traveling Abroad With CBD

The U.S. State Department warned Americans on September 8, 2026, not to carry CBD or other cannabis-derived products when traveling to destinations outside the United States.

The department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs explained that U.S. citizens must follow the laws of every country they enter. A product being legal in a traveler’s home state does not mean it can be taken through an international airport or across a foreign border.

The warning applies to CBD and THC products, including gummies, oils, vape cartridges, concentrates, and more.

Regulations vary significantly between countries. Some destinations impose strict criminal penalties for importing cannabis-derived goods. Travelers who carry these products may face confiscation, questioning, fines, detention, arrest, or prosecution.

Officials also advised passengers to pack using an empty bag. Officials should examine suitcase pockets and compartments carefully because forgotten products can create serious legal problems. The department noted that Americans have previously been arrested after unintentionally bringing cannabis items into another country.

Before leaving the United States, passengers should look up the rules for their destination and check which items they cannot bring across its border. The Bureau of Consular Affairs delivers a direct recommendation:

“Do not travel internationally with cannabis or cannabis-derived products, including marijuana, THC, CBD, edibles, vape cartridges, oils, concentrates, or other cannabis products.”

The agency emphasized that legalized cannabis at a destination does not necessarily allow visitors to import it. Rules governing possession inside a country can differ from those applied at customs and international borders.

Many states allow marijuana in certain forms, but federal restrictions still remain in effect. The Transportation Security Administration has stated that if screening officers find an illegal substance, they refer the matter to law enforcement.

This is not the first federal reminder about traveling with CBD. In May 2025, the CDC advised travelers to check CBD’s legal status at their destination because national regulations may change.

For anyone planning an overseas trip, the safest choice is to leave CBD and cannabis products behind. Also, check every suitcase pocket before heading to the airport, since even a forgotten gummy, cartridge, or bottle could cause trouble at the border.