Do not take CBD (cannabidiol) to Singapore or through Changi Airport. As of November 2026, Singapore treats hemp and CBD products as Class A controlled drugs with zero tolerance, bans cannabis-based medicines even for passengers who never leave the transit area, and can prosecute people who have cannabis in their system.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Check the official sources in the footnotes before you travel.
Is CBD legal in Singapore?
No. Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) says hemp and CBD products from the cannabis plant are “treated as Class A controlled substances”, and that importing or consuming them is prohibited “even in trace amounts”.1 It adds that “hemp is cannabis”, that CBD products “can contain controlled drugs such as THC despite the product labels indicating otherwise”, and that “Singapore adopts a strict policy of zero tolerance towards controlled drugs”.1
There is no THC threshold. Cannabis and its derivatives are Class A controlled drugs under the First Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act.1 From 1 July 2025, Singapore widened the definition of cannabinol derivatives in that schedule to reduce ambiguity.2
Can you bring prescribed CBD or medicinal cannabis into Singapore?
No. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) lists medications containing prohibited substances, such as cannabis and products containing cannabis extracts, as medicines that cannot be brought into Singapore.3 We found no approval route for them. The HSA page does not name Epidiolex specifically, but its wording covers products containing cannabis extracts.
For other medicines that contain controlled substances, the HSA requires an application for approval at least two weeks before arrival. Medicines that need no approval and are not prohibited are limited to three months’ supply.3
Smartraveller says: “Do not bring medicinal cannabis to Singapore, even during transit.” It advises anyone on prescribed medicinal cannabis to contact the HSA “and consider alternate travel arrangements before you travel.”4
Does this apply in transit at Changi?
Yes. The HSA says: “prohibited medications are NOT allowed to be brought in, even if you are not clearing immigration.”3 Smartraveller repeats that cannabis products “are not permitted, even in transit”.4
Many Australians fly to Europe or elsewhere in Asia through Singapore. If you carry prescribed CBD, check your whole route, and consider flights that avoid Singapore.
Can you be charged for CBD in your system?
Smartraveller says: “It’s illegal to have cannabis or other illegal drugs in your system, even if consumed outside of Singapore.”4 CNB runs checks at Singapore’s checkpoints, and Singapore citizens and permanent residents who take drugs abroad can be charged as if the offence happened in Singapore.1
CBD products can contain THC, which can show up in urine tests. See CBD and drug tests.
What are the penalties?
CNB lists these penalties for cannabis:5
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Possession (less than 330 g) | Up to 10 years’ prison, a fine of up to S$20,000, or both |
| Consumption | At least 1 year and up to 10 years’ prison, and a fine of up to S$20,000 |
| Trafficking, importing or exporting more than 500 g of cannabis | Liable to the death penalty |
Singapore carried out an execution in April 2026 for importing more than 1 kg of cannabis.6 Smartraveller also notes that drug offences can attract caning.4
What is the safest approach?
- Do not take any CBD, hemp or cannabis product to Singapore or through Changi.
- If you take prescribed CBD, contact the HSA before booking and consider a route that avoids Singapore. Talk to your prescriber about managing the trip.
- Remember that full-spectrum CBD products contain THC. See full spectrum vs broad spectrum vs isolate.
For other destinations, see CBD laws overseas.
Footnotes
-
Central Narcotics Bureau (Singapore). FAQs about hemp and CBD oil products, last updated 20 November 2025. https://www.cnb.gov.sg/educational-resources/myths-and-facts-about-drugs/cannabis/faqs-about-hemp-and-cbd-oil-products ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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Central Narcotics Bureau (Singapore). Amendments to the First Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 30 June 2025. https://www.cnb.gov.sg/mediaroom/news/amendments-to-the-first-schedule-of-the-misuse-of-drugs-act-2025/ ↩
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Health Sciences Authority (Singapore). Personal medications, last updated 23 October 2026. https://www.hsa.gov.sg/travelling-with-medication-and-medical-devices/personal-medications/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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Smartraveller (DFAT). Singapore travel advice, updated 3 November 2026. https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/singapore ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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Central Narcotics Bureau (Singapore). Cannabis, last updated 2 July 2026. https://www.cnb.gov.sg/singapore-drug-situation/drugs--psychoactive-substances--and-inhalants/cannabis/ ↩
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Central Narcotics Bureau (Singapore). Execution of a convicted drug importer, 16 April 2026. https://www.cnb.gov.sg/mediaroom/news/execution-of-a-convicted-drug-importer---16-april-2026/ ↩
Common questions
Is CBD legal in Singapore?
No. Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau treats hemp and CBD products as Class A controlled substances and says importing or consuming them is banned, even in trace amounts.
Can I transit through Changi with prescribed CBD?
No. Singapore's Health Sciences Authority says prohibited medications, which include products containing cannabis extracts, are not allowed to be brought in even if you are not clearing immigration. Smartraveller advises people on prescribed medicinal cannabis to contact the Health Sciences Authority and consider alternative travel arrangements.
Can I be charged if I used CBD before arriving in Singapore?
Smartraveller says it is illegal to have cannabis or other illegal drugs in your system in Singapore, even if consumed outside Singapore. CBD products can contain THC. Singapore citizens and permanent residents can also be charged for drug use abroad.
This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Laws and evidence change; we show the date we last checked the facts at the top of every page. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
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