Guide for Shipping Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Products
By Michelle Bodian, Catie Wightman
Nov 1, 2022
Under the 2014 and 2018 USDA Farm Bills, certain hemp and hemp-derived CBD products can be shipped via USPS, FedEx and UPS— but only if certain conditions are met. Below is summarized guidance from those companies.
USPS Hemp Guidance
Since June 2019, the United States Postal Service has permitted the mailing of hemp-derived CBD products, with certain conditions. Hemp and hemp-based products, including CBD with the THC concentration of such hemp (or its derivatives) not exceeding a 0.3 percent limit are permitted to be mailed only when the mailers:
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Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws (including, but not limited to, the 2014 Farm Bill and the 2018 Farm Bill) pertaining to hemp production, processing, distribution, and sales; and
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Retain records establishing compliance with such laws, including laboratory test results, licenses, or compliance reports, for no less than three years after the date of mailing.
This documentation does not need to be presented at the time of mailing, but may be requested either at the time of mailing or on a later date if there is doubt as to the hemp-derived CBD product’s mailability or the intended recipient’s ability to legally receive it.
Shipments of hemp and hemp-based products are prohibited from being mailed internationally. In addition, you cannot ship to military destinations.
FedEx Hemp Guidance
On January 20, 2020, FedEx updated its terms and conditions to allow the shipment of hemp-derived CBD products that contain no more than 0.3% THC. It continues to ban the shipment of the following:
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Marijuana, as defined by U.S. federal law, 21 U.S.C. 802(16), including marijuana intended for recreational or medicinal use and marijuana-derived cannabidiol (CBD); any product with a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis, except as set out in 21 CFR 1308.35; and synthetic cannabinoids.
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Raw or unrefined hemp plants, or their subparts (including, but not limited to, hemp stalks, hemp leaves, hemp flowers and hemp seeds), except as set out in 21 CFR 1308.35
The FedEx terms and conditions were revised on October 14, 2021, but no changes were made to the hemp policy.
As of August 22, 2022, FedEx does not allow raw or unrefined hemp or hemp products to be shipped within the United States or internationally. However, hemp and hemp products as defined in 21 CFR 1308.35 continue to be exempt.
UPS Hemp Guidance
UPS only allows raw hemp to be transported for pre-approved shippers that are part of a contractual service within the United States. It does accept products made from hemp (including CBD) for shipment, only as permitted by all applicable state and federal laws. “It is the responsibility of the Shipper to ensure compliance with all such laws, including the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. §321, et seq.”
UPS does not ship liquid hemp products intended for vaporization products or any hemp products that originate from a location that also sells marijuana or marijuana products.
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Contact VS's hemp and cannabinoids team with any questions.