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The demand for cannabis products has skyrocketed in the last few years. If you want to make and sell these products, you may wonder if it is legal to sell CBD online. So, is it legal to ship CBD oil and other cannabis products in the United States by mail? Today, let’s talk about how to send CBD by mail the correct way to avoid trouble with the law. You’ll also learn which shipping providers ship CBD products, and which will not.
How to Ship CBD Oil Legally-FAQs
Which Cannabis Laws Changed?
The 2018 Farm Bill (aka the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018) changed hemp’s classification from an illegal Schedule I substance to what is known as an “agricultural commodity.” This change essentially legalized hemp and products derived from it, like certain types of CBD oil.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration also made a significant change. Namely, that CBD containing less than 0.1% THC was reduced to a Schedule 5 drug, meaning it has fewer sale restrictions than its earlier classification. The DEA still requires that these products are approved for use by the FDA.
Is it Legal to Sell CBD Online?
The short answer is it depends. Many states have recently changed cannabis laws, allowing manufacturers to make and sell CBD products. However, not all states or federal jurisdictions followed suit.
It matters a great deal how the CBD was extracted. CBD extracted from hemp is legal, but CBD extracted from marijuana is not. The reason is that CBD extract from marijuana contains THC, the chemical that gives users a feeling of being “high.” Under federal laws, that is still illegal.
Therefore, this article focuses solely on shipping CBD derived from hemp only.
Related: Is Delta 8 THC Legal For Sale And Shipping?
Not all Hemp Is Created Equal
The hemp must meet specific criteria to be legal. First, it must be grown by a licensed farmer. Second, the THC content must be less than 0.3%. Third, farmers and manufacturers must comply with all federal and state regulations.
Is Shipping CBD Oil Legal?
CBD extracted from hemp is broadly considered legal across the states, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill lifted restrictions on the sale and shipment of these products. Further, the DEA has listed a “non-priority” on its list of restricted substances.
Here is what the major U.S. shipping services have to say about shipping CBD:
1. Will USPS ship CBD? They will ship legal hemp-based CBD. The March 2019 guide lists USPS’s acceptance criteria for shipping CBD.
2. Does UPS ship CBD? CBD products (again, from hemp only) may be shipped via UPS, but the shipper must reveal where the hemp was grown and provide details about manufacturing.
3. Does FedEx ship CBD? No luck here. FedEx bans shipping all hemp and hemp-related products, including CBD.
4. Does DHL ship CBD? Same as FedEx.
As of 2019, CBD products are legal in the following countries, typically as long as they’re extracted from industrial hemp and generally contain less than 0.2 percent THC:
Canada
Mexico
United Kingdom
Switzerland
France
Luxembourg
South Korea
Denmark
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Belize
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Finland
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Guam
Guatemala
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Netherlands
Antilles
Norway
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Republic of Slovenia
South Africa
Sweden
Virgin Islands
Uruguay
New Zealand
CBD products are banned in the following countries:
Virgin Islands
Uruguay
New Zealand
United Arab Emirates
Russia
Malaysia
Australia is a unique case due to its changing laws. Though the Australian government legalized cannabis for medical reasons in 2016 and reclassified CBD from a prohibited drug to being legal by prescription only, CBD is still highly regulated and available to only a limited number of people by medical prescription without exception.
Ultimately, before shipping cannabidiol oil overseas, thoroughly research the exact laws governing the importation of CBD products into the country you’re looking to ship to in order to avoid any unwelcome surprises!
Considerations Before You Start Fulfilling CBD Orders
Make sure you have the proper licenses and permits in place
Before selecting a cultivator, you want to ensure that they are licensed to sell their products in your state and the industry. This will ensure that you are operating in compliance with local and federal regulations and that your customers can trust the quality of your products.
Consider logistics
When fulfilling CBD oil orders, it is essential to consider all the CBD regulations needed to deliver your products promptly and efficiently. This might include factors such as transportation, storage, and packaging. You will also want to ensure that your fulfillment software can handle high volumes of orders, as hemp-derived CBD products are quickly becoming a popular option for consumers.
Consider quality standards
As with any product sold online, it is important to prioritize quality when fulfilling CBD orders. This means carefully evaluating your supplier's cultivation practices, testing protocols, and internal quality standards. It is also essential to have a clear return policy so that customers can quickly seek refunds or exchange their products if they are unsatisfied with the quality.
Invest in proper marketing and branding
To be successful in the rapidly growing CBD market, it is essential to invest in effective marketing and branding strategies. This may include working with a digital marketing agency to create SEO-optimized product listings and using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to reach potential customers. Consider partnering with influencers or bloggers who can help promote your products to their audiences.
Source your CBD from a reputable supplier
When starting to fulfill CBD orders, one of the most critical considerations is sourcing your products from a reputable supplier. This means researching potential suppliers, checking their track records and certifications, and asking for references from other businesses that have previously worked with them. It is also essential to carefully evaluate the cultivation practices used by your supplier and their testing and quality assurance protocols to ensure that you are providing your customers with safe, high-quality products.
Train your staff on the proper handling and dispensing of CBD products
To ensure that your customers receive the highest level of service and support when ordering CBD products, it is essential to train your staff on proper handling and to dispense techniques. This might include offering in-person or online training sessions for your employees and providing them with detailed product manuals and other resources. Consider investing in proper safety equipment, such as gloves and goggles, to help minimize the risk of injury or contamination.
Develop a system for tracking inventory and orders
As the CBD industry continues to grow, it is essential to have a system to track your inventory and orders. This could include using specialized software or apps to manage your fulfillment operations and coming up with standard procedures for maintaining accurate records of your products and shipments. Additionally, consider collaborating with third-party logistics companies, who can help streamline your fulfillment processes and offer additional support.
Protect your customer data and personal information
As with any e-commerce business, protecting your customers' data and information is essential. This might include using secure payment processing platforms, encrypting sensitive customer data, and working with third-party vendors with proven track records to protect client privacy. Consider partnering with a data security consulting firm that can help evaluate your current procedures and recommend strengthening your data protection protocols.
Keep up with industry trends and changes
To be successful in the rapidly growing CBD industry, it is essential to stay up-to-date on trends and changes within the industry. This may include regularly reading industry publications and blogs, attending relevant conferences or workshops, and working with trusted sources who can provide insights into emerging markets and opportunities.
How to Ship CBD Oil the Right Way
As of this writing, USPS and UPS are the shipping providers you’ll be using to ship legal CBD products. First, you need to package the CBD properly for shipment. CBD oil is typically sold in glass or plastic jars. To prevent CBD oil glass jars from easily breaking, using bubble wrap is recommended.
High-quality leak-proof containers will prevent any unwanted surprises when the customer opens the package. It’s also a good idea to place the jars inside a sealable polybag, just in case it leaks.
Need Help Shipping CBD Products?
A third-party fulfillment center makes shipping legal CBD easy and gives you peace of mind that your products will arrive to customers in good condition.
The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice or professional opinions. If you are considering manufacturing, buying, shipping, storing, or selling CBD products, you should not rely on the above information, but instead must make your own judgments regarding the legality of your proposed actions. simpl fulfillment, LLC disclaims all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this article. Contact a reputable attorney to obtain legal advice.
Next article: How To Sell CBD Online?
