Is CBD legal in South Korea?
- Legal status
- CBD (cannabidiol) is controlled as cannabis under the Narcotics Control Act, whose 'cannabis' definition includes the plant, resin and products manufactured from them with no CBD carve-out or THC threshold; domestic cultivation and retail CBD are prohibited.
- Consequences if caught
- Entering Korea with CBD without prior MFDS approval is importing a controlled narcotic — seizure and narcotics prosecution; the MFDS requires all travellers of any nationality to obtain approval before bringing CBD/THC oil.
- If prescribed or medical
- A narrow route since the 2018 amendment (in force March 2019) allows case-by-case import of named medicines (Epidiolex, Marinol, Sativex) via the Korea Orphan Drug Center with a prescription and MFDS approval.
- Documentation
- All travellers must obtain prior MFDS/Korea Orphan Drug Center approval before entering with CBD; without it CBD is seized as a narcotic and a foreign prescription alone does not permit entry.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with South Korea’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →