Flying with cannabis in South Africa is legal but complicated. Here’s all the info you need to know about travelling with weed. From knowing your rights to top tips.
Can I fly with cannabis in South Africa?
The short answer is “yes, but it’s complicated”. Legally adults are allowed to travel with small amounts of cannabis on them. This is per the Constitutional Court ruling that effectively decriminalised personal cultivation and use of the plant. There however remains a lingering haze of confusion as the lack of definitions by the court has created a very grey area. The court did not declare amounts or go into any depth on specifics, leaving local government bodies to write the terms and conditions of legalisation.
So what does this mean about flying with cannabis in South Africa? Ultimately it is at the discretion of the airline. Many people have reported that they successfully declared and flew locally with their small amounts of weed. While others have simply said nothing and concealed their stash.
What do the cops say about it?
A South African Police Service directive issued in 2019 clarified that you can take small amounts of cannabis on domestic flights.
“Provided that the quantity of cannabis is small and based on all the circumstances of a specific matter, including the concealment of the cannabis in a bag or luggage of the passenger, possession for personal consumption, by an adult passenger on a domestic flight, is permitted.”
Travelling with cannabis on international flights is however strictly prohibited.
Tips for flying with cannabis
Airlines have rights too. Just because the cops say it’s cool to fly locally with weed, does not mean that the airline has to. They are private properties and private services that have their own polices. Kulula for example states on their website, “Please note that it is illegal to carry Marijuana in either in your cabin or checked in luggage”
Courier it instead. Consider forwarding your cannabis to your destination by courier. A 420 friendly courier is a popular option for those who don’t want to fly with their weed. Simply send your parcel to in advance so that your stash is delivered when you arrive or the next day.
Don’t mile high. As tempting as it may be to spark a joint or bust a dab during the flight. Please do not. It may cause airlines to remove any cannabis friendly policies that they may be working on. It is also discourteous to the other passengers.
Pack your paraphernalia. Some people travel with as much as large glass bongs and premium vaporizers. You can’t bank on the airline not breaking or losing something. So put the effort into packing them well.
Hi.
Is it possible to fly to London with 1ml THC liquid?
Here about lots of folk flying internationally with concentrates, edibles and oils.
Doubt that it is worth risking it though, particularly if going through middle eastern countries.
Can you fly from Lanseria to Cape town with a little bit of zollo
Just enough for 2 J’s?
You can. Just keep them discreetly and considerately packed in your luggage.
Can I fly into South Africa with weed small amount
I would not recommend international flights. Some countries are very strict.
However it is safe to carry on local flights.
Can i fly from cape town to durban with weed ?
Yes you can fly with weed from Cape Town to Durban. It is best to keep the amount reasonable, airtight and well packaged. The airports and airlines don’t seem to have any problem with it. As long as you are considerate and keep it private.
I have a small e rig and im planning to fly to capetown from mpumalanga. Me and my wife love our e rig and was wondering can we take it over nationally without the risk of losing it?
Yip. Just pack it safely and securely in you luggage. Don’t want it to break.
Test comment
Im flying to durbam tomorrow, and would like to take some stash, only confers is how to pack it.
Recently got My stash handed over to SAPS as i used the courier guy. So concerned about flying to durban
In an airtight container in your luggage is fine. The airliners and airports don’t seem to have a problem as long as it is discreetly and privately packed.
Hey, when they handed it over to saps did they let you know? And did they hand it over straight away or at what point of the delivery? I am waiting on my edibles I put on courier. But am rather nervous.
It doesn’t sound like many parcels get intercepted. Edibles very discreet.
Have heard mixed reports of weed not getting handed over to the cops, to some folk going to the courier and getting their gear back.
Hope it goes well and please let us know if it doesn’t.
Going to CAPE TOWN at the end of the month for a week. Don’t like flying because I cannot carry my weed. This will be my first attempt to carry. Can i carry a Lt.
Hi
I’m traveling to Durban soon and I’d like to take some joints with. What do you think the limit should be for rolled joints ?
There isn’t a limit. Just be reasonable and discreet. I have flown with a couple hundred grams no problem.
Im flying from Durban airport with safair ill have about 6 grams.
Do you think that i will have any problems.
Should i declare it
You should not have any problems. Recently flew with a couple hundred grams. Please be considerate and store in an airtight container or jar.
Hi guys,
If I travel with a couple brownies in a local flight would it be okay? I’ll put them in a air tight container with some other snacks to make it look like a normal snack. Anyone have experience flying locally with edibles?
Many thanks,
L
I have had zero issue flying with edibles. Also took a couple hundred grams of herb recently on a local flight.
Actually, it is legal to carry marijuana on kulula flights and all local flights for that matter. The website was referring to flights outside of South Africa in that section.
About 6 months after weed was legalised in SA, I flew to Durbs for a bit of a holiday, needless to say I got my hands on some Durban Poison, about 950 grams, I thought that it would be cool to fly on SAA with the weed in my check-in baggage. The flight went ok and all my DP arrived in CT without any detection. I only realised later that I could have had some problems with the authorities if I got caught. Next time I will use a 420 courier.
I have never had an issue with flying on weed! In fact it makes the trip much faster, but jokes aside never had an issue! Great article, super informative !
Good to hear
“420 friendly couriers”, Any idea which companies these may be?:)
Hi Kyle. Couriers are next week’s article.