Traveling With CBD in Canada: What You Need to Know (2025 Guide)
Many Canadians rely on CBD for sleep support, pain management, inflammation relief, or pre-flight anxiety, yet are unsure whether they can legally travel with it across provinces or beyond Canadian borders.
The Cannabis Act 2018 does legalize CBD consumption in Canada, but imposes strict restrictions when it comes to import, export, or simply inter-state movement of CBD products.
This guide explains the exact legal rules, transport requirements, and practical steps to stay fully compliant for Canadian residents, international visitors arriving in Canada, and anyone transitioning through airports with CBD products.
CBD Laws For Travel in Canada
What CBD Is and How It’s Regulated?
CBD is a cannabinoid extracted from cannabis plants. In Canada, CBD is not regulated as a natural health product. It falls under the Cannabis Act (2018) and is treated the same as all cannabis-derived substances, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The Cannabis Act legalizes CBD in Canada only when it is purchased from licensed sources. For manufacturing CBD products, the brand must hold a federal processing license under the Cannabis Act.
In contrast, to sell CBD products, the vendor must have a state-level license issued by provincial frameworks such as the Ontario Cannabis Store, the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC), or British Columbia Cannabis Stores.
Key Legal Frameworks
The national possession limit for adults is 30 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent when in public. CBD oils, capsules, beverages, and topicals are included in equivalency calculations because they differ in weight and potency. For example:
1 gram of dried cannabis equals
5 grams fresh cannabis,
15 grams of edible product,
70 grams of liquid product,
or 0.25 grams of concentrates.
Travellers must ensure the total of all CBD items does not exceed these limits.
Can You Travel Domestically with CBD in Canada?
Domestic Flights Within Canada
Carrying CBD on domestic flights is allowed if it complies with the Cannabis Act. Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines permit passengers to carry legal cannabis products in checked or carry-on luggage. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) allows passengers to travel with cannabis within Canada but prohibits taking it across borders.
Passengers must keep CBD in its original packaging, as CATSA officers may inspect labels. Packaging must show cannabinoid content, excise stamp, and Health Canada–approved symbols. Unlabelled or homemade CBD will not be recognized as legal.
Road and Rail Travel Within Canada
Interprovincial travel with legal CBD is permitted because Canada’s cannabis laws are federal. However, provinces vary in how they enforce possession, transportation, and storage rules. For example:
In Manitoba, cannabis must be stored out of reach inside vehicles.
In Prince Edward Island, cannabis must stay sealed and inaccessible during transport.
Rail operators like VIA Rail and major bus companies permit legal cannabis if stored according to provincial rules.
Travelling Internationally With CBD: Entering or Leaving Canada
Leaving Canada With CBD
Taking CBD out of Canada is strictly prohibited. The Cannabis Act and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) ban the export of CBD in any form unless the traveller holds a specific permit issued by Health Canada, which is typically limited to scientific and medical research.
Attempting to transport CBD across borders can result in:
Seizures,
Administrative monetary penalties,
Criminal charges, or
Denial of entry into another country.
Even if travelling to the United States, where cannabis is legal, federal law applies at all U.S. ports of entry. Travellers may face questioning or future entry restrictions.
Entering Canada With CBD
No traveller may bring CBD into Canada without a Health Canada import permit. CBD purchased internationally, including hemp-based CBD commonly sold in the United States and Europe, does not meet Canadian regulatory standards. This applies even if the product contains 0 percent THC.
CBSA officers regularly seize CBD from visitors who mistakenly believe hemp CBD is exempt from Canadian cannabis controls. Imported CBD is only permitted for:
Clinical research,
Scientific studies, or
Medical cannabis clients are under very specific import rules.
Tourists cannot import CBD for personal use.
Why Cross-Border Restrictions Exist
Border restrictions are enforced because foreign CBD products rarely meet Canadian potency, purity, or packaging standards. Differences in international cannabis laws, combined with the legal responsibilities of CBSA under federal legislation, require Canada to regulate all cannabis movement across borders strictly.
What Types of CBD Products Are Allowed For Travel in Canada?
CBD Oils and Tinctures
Licensed CBD oil in Canada is allowed for travel, provided it lists:
Total milligrams of CBD,
Total milligrams of THC,
Carrier oils, and
Licensed producer information.
Illicit CBD oils cannot be transported legally, even across Canadian state borders.
CBD Edibles and Beverages
Edibles must follow federal THC limits of 10 milligrams per package. CBD content can exceed this limit, but the product must remain compliant with packaging and ingredient regulations. Beverages must also meet child-resistant safety requirements.
CBD Topicals
CBD topicals such as balms or lotions are popular among travellers for targeted muscle relief. They are legal if produced by a licensed processor and sold through licensed channels. Equivalency rules still apply.
CBD Isolates and Capsules
CBD isolates, powders, and capsules are regulated similarly to oils. They must contain accurate cannabinoid labelling and cannot exceed personal possession limits.
How to Pack CBD Safely and Legally for Travel?
Packaging and Labelling Requirements
Travellers should keep CBD in unopened, original childproof packaging. Labels must show cannabinoid profile and excise stamps. Transferring CBD oil into travel-sized containers is a common mistake that removes legal identifiers and increases the risk of confiscation.
Checking Quantity Limits
Travellers must calculate cannabis equivalency for all CBD items. For example, a standard 30-millilitre CBD oil bottle may equal 21 grams of dried cannabis under equivalency rules, depending on concentration and formulation. Exceeding possession limits can lead to fines or confiscation.
Storage During Travel
CBD oils can leak due to pressure changes during flights. Keeping bottles upright in sealed plastic bags prevents spills. Edibles should remain sealed to avoid confusion with regular snacks. Vaporizers must meet airline rules for lithium-ion batteries and may need to be carried in hand luggage.
Who Should Avoid Travelling With CBD?
Travellers on Prescription Medications
CBD interacts with certain medications, including blood thinners, anticonvulsants, and some antidepressants. Travellers should consult a healthcare professional before using CBD on trips.
Travellers Working in Safety-Sensitive Jobs
Despite CBD being legal, some employers enforce strict substance policies. Workers in aviation, transportation, construction, or government roles should confirm workplace rules before travelling with CBD.
Visitors Unfamiliar With Canadian Laws
International visitors who are unsure about local regulations should avoid bringing CBD across borders. Purchasing CBD legally upon arrival eliminates compliance risks.
Safe and Legal Alternatives for Travellers
Buy CBD Legally Upon Arrival
Visitors to Canada should purchase CBD after entering the country. Every province operates an official online retailer and authorized physical stores. This approach guarantees legal compliance, accurate labelling, and regulated manufacturing standards.
Use Non-CBD Travel Health Products
When uncertain, travellers may rely on legal, Health Canada–approved alternatives such as melatonin for sleep, magnesium for muscle tension, or menthol creams for soreness. These products do not fall under cannabis regulations and can cross borders legally.
Conclusion
Travelling with CBD in Canada is straightforward when the product is legal, labelled, and purchased through licensed channels. Domestic travel allows CBD possession within limits, but international travel, whether entering or leaving Canada, remains strictly prohibited.
Travellers should keep CBD in original packaging, review airline and provincial transport rules, and avoid carrying CBD across borders under any circumstances. Following regulatory guidelines and planning ensures travellers can use CBD responsibly and avoid legal complications during their journey.