The rise in popularity has left many wondering: Can CBD oil be shipped to Australia?
If you’re wondering the same thing, you’ve come to the right place. We’re looking at everything you need to know about shipping CBD to Australia, including legalities, prescriptions, and costs.
Key Takeaways
- You need a prescription and permit to import CBD oil into Australia.
- You should only buy CBD oil from regulated and trustworthy distributors.
- All CBD oil should meet The Good Manufacturing Practice standards.
- CBD in Australia is expensive because of its concentrations.
The Legality of Shipping CBD Oil to Australia from Overseas
You’ll be happy to know that it isn’t illegal to ship CBD oil to Australia. However, there are a few things you need to know before racing off to get your beloved products.
There are pretty serious restrictions. Since CBD is a cannabinoid, regardless of whether it has psychoactive properties, it falls under Schedule 4.
So, what does that mean?
If you want to legally buy CBD oil in Australia you’ll need a prescription. That goes for imports or buying at a local store. CBD falls under “medicinal cannabis.”
To access CBD oil and ship it in, you’ll need the right licenses and approvals from the Office of Drug Control. This shows you have a medical prescription from a doctor stating why you need medical cannabis for your condition.
Additionally, your CBD oil must meet all the correct quality standards regarding cultivation. Worldwide, this is The Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). But it’s up to you to establish whether your products meet the basic standards. Usually, online products specify this information, so don’t stress too much.
GMP ensures that products are consistently made in a way that meets quality standards. Basically, it’s to ensure you’re getting a product you know has all the right ingredients and amounts.
If you’re in dire need of a specific CBD product (for example, a full spectrum CBD oil), there is a way for the medical practitioner prescribing CBD oil to request it on your behalf. This can help get the product without all the personal paperwork, but only in very specific circumstances.
CBD Oil in Australia: Do I Require a Prescription to Obtain it?
It is legal to buy CBD oil that has less than 0.2% THC straight from the pharmacy. However, it needs approval from the Department of Health before it’s freely available.
As of March 2023, no product has been approved. The Department of Health is testing and going through its processes for legalising CBD products, but this takes time.
A prescription is the only way you can legally obtain CBD oil in Australia.
But what if you simply want medical cannabis for a minor ailment?
That’s where the issues lie. Some want CBD products to cure minor things but can’t afford the hefty price tag that comes with anything medical-grade.
On top of that, getting a prescription for something minor isn’t very likely. But, if you can find the right healthcare practitioner well-versed in all things CBD, you should be good to go.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing CBD Oil from Overseas
Now that we know strict rules and regulations are in place for importing medical cannabis into Australia. There are a few things to consider once you’ve got your permit.
Firstly, look for CBD products that have been tested and don’t contain any THC. We won’t go into the different kinds of CBD, but you risk getting your purchase seized if the product is not solely CBD. Remember, we aren’t talking about THC-based products in this article.
Side note: broad-spectrum CBD oils are generally safe. They don’t have the THC compound.
Your CBD oil should come from a licenced and regulated company that is established and reputable. Unfortunately, because the regulations in Australia are so strict, the temptation is there to import CBD oil from just about anywhere.
But we wouldn’t recommend it. Firstly, it’s illegal. Secondly, you risk putting yourself in danger because you don’t know where the product comes from or what it contains.
A reputable CBD oil producer and distributor hold themselves to a high standard concerning ingredients and transparency.
For example, a recent study found that only 7% of US CBD brands tested their products for pesticides and external contaminants. That leaves a whopping 93% of brands that have no idea if their product contains something it shouldn’t.
A further 20% of CBD brands didn’t do any sort of potency testing. While only a shocking 12% of brands fell within the correct potency variance level.
Do you see why it’s so difficult to regulate CBD products? The Australian Government is merely doing its due diligence to ensure its people are safe.
It might sound obvious but look at the reviews. A transparent and trustworthy company will have reviews to back up its products and shipping policies. If other Australians with a permit have succeeded, then the chances are high that you will too.
You might also be wondering about hemp seed oil. It technically comes from the same hemp plant, so it must have the same regulation, right?
Wrong! Hemp seed oil contains no CBD or THC, so it is considered food by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. However, hemp seed oil must still comply with food standard codes and import requirements.
USA to Australia: CBD Oil Shipping Brands
If you want to import CBD oil from the US to Australia, here are a few reputable brands to try.
- R&R Meds: Produces high-quality CBD oils from organic American hemp farms. They use gentle CO2 extraction to retain the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and nutrients. R&R also offers CBD capsules, topicals, pet products, and some of the strongest CBD gummies we have seen. They provide free shipping to Australia with code OZFREESHIP. With their competitive pricing, quality sourcing, 60-day guarantee, and focus on accessibility, R&R Meds makes pure, exceptional value CBD available to Australians.
- NuLeaf Naturals: This is one of the top CBD brands in the US. They use the finest plants available and complete strict third-party testing on all their products. Most of their CBD products are available for worldwide shipping, but none with THC. Shipping is usually 7-14 days but may take up to four weeks.
If you don’t want a US-based company, Naturecan ships from the UK. Naturecan has some of the more potent CBD oils on the market. Shipping to Australia usually takes between 10-14 days and is free on orders over £80 (AUD 146).
The Cost of CBD Shipping to Australia
CBD oil international delivery prices vary depending on where you’re ordering from, the process needed to get your products into Australia, and the weight. Generally, shipping prices vary between AU$10-$25.
CBD Oil Prices in Australia: How Much Does it Cost?
The CBD oil cost in Australia varies greatly. It all comes down to the potency, the cannabis plant, and other ingredients.
The average Australian cannabinoid user spends between AU$5-$10 per day. That’s about AU$150-$300 per month.
That sounds like a lot, but we need to look at the price of CBD to understand.
Legal CBD in Australia has an average cost between AU$0.05-$0.10 per mg. If we look at some brands above, basic 300 mg CBD oil goes for between AU$ 28,51-$41,33.
So, how much you spend will be based on how much CBD oil you use and the potency. For example, using 300 mg vs. 1,500 mg of medicinal cannabis will affect the price but also change how much you need to take to see the effects.
FAQ
Why is CBD oil so expensive in Australia?
Australia is still in the process of testing and building legislation surrounding the use of CBD for medicinal purposes. For this reason, getting any products tested and approved takes a serious amount of money. So, most ship in from overseas, but this comes with its own costs, like obtaining a prescription and permit.
Do CBD products need specific labelling for Australian shipping?
Yes, when you purchase CBD oil online, your products must be properly labelled with the name of the product, ingredients, dosage form, strength, and directions for use. There also needs to be a clear name and address from the distributor along with an expiry date and batch number.
