Is CBD legal in Serbia?
David ReichUpdated:Key points at a glance:
In Serbia, CBD is a legally sensitive area. THC and cannabis are strictly controlled. Products containing traces of THC or of unclear origin are frequently confiscated. Import is only permitted within narrow limits, and medicinal products usually require specific documentation. Flower, vapes and edibles are considered particularly high-risk. Driving after consumption can lead to positive tests and potential penalties. EU rules on CBD trade do not automatically apply there.
Which products contain CBD but no THC?
First, a brief overview of products that contain CBD but are free from THC. THC is legally much more sensitive in many countries. Here are some of the most common categories:
- CBD oils and tinctures: These liquids are usually placed under the tongue to allow relatively rapid absorption.
- CBD capsules and tablets: A convenient way to take a measured amount of CBD, similar to food supplements.
- CBD edibles: These include gummies, chocolate, drinks and other foods that contain CBD.
- CBD vape products: These products are used for inhaling vapour that contains CBD. They include e-liquids and vape pens.
- CBD skincare products: Creams, ointments, lotions and balms that are applied to the skin for local use.
This article does not constitute legal advice.
Is CBD legal in Serbia? Practical overview for travellers
CBD law in Serbia is strict compared with many EU countries. Even though CBD itself is not always named directly in the official list of controlled substances (Spisak), THC and cannabis are tightly controlled. In practice, many CBD products – especially if plant-based or poorly labelled – risk being treated as “cannabis” or “cannabis extract”.
This affects both tourists entering the country and people buying CBD products inside Serbia. The key risks relate to products that contain, or might be suspected of containing, THC: CBD flowers, “cannabis oil”, vape liquids and CBD edibles.
CBD legality in Serbia is restrictive: plant‑based CBD products are often treated as cannabis in practice, and travellers should assume a real risk of seizure and possible criminal consequences, especially where THC cannot clearly be excluded.
What does this mean in practice for CBD users in Serbia?
From a legal point of view, Serbia focuses on THC and cannabis. However, during police or customs inspections, CBD products made from the cannabis plant can be classified as “cannabis/cannabis extract” if:
- any THC is detectable, or
- the product’s origin (hemp vs high‑THC cannabis) is unclear.
Even if pure CBD is not expressly listed in the Spisak, the presence or suspected presence of THC is usually enough for officials to:
- treat the product as a controlled narcotic, and
- seize it until laboratory analysis confirms what it contains.
In practice, the highest risks concern:
- CBD flowers (buds)
- CBD vape liquids and cartridges
- CBD edibles (e.g. gummies, “space cakes”, sweets)
- “Cannabis oil” or unclear CBD oils
Such products may be confiscated, and criminal rules on narcotics (including trafficking and possession) can be applied. (paragraf.rs, mup.gov.rs, carina.rs)
In Serbia, CBD products that look or smell like cannabis, or that may contain THC, can be handled as narcotics by police and customs, with seizures common until lab results confirm the contents.
Importing CBD into Serbia (by plane, car, or train)
When you bring CBD to Serbia, customs apply rules on:
- personal luggage, and
- medicines for personal use.
Medicines are allowed only within narrow limits. For psychoactive controlled substances, additional proof and medical certificates are required. CBD products that appear to be “cannabis oil”, CBD flowers or cannabis edibles are regularly seized at the border. (carina.rs, alo.rs)
| Product | Import risk | Notes | Legal / authority references |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBD flowers | Very high | Not visually distinguishable from THC cannabis for police/customs; usually seized until laboratory analysis. (mup.gov.rs) | Criminal Code Art. 246/246a; Spisak control. (mup.gov.rs, paragraf.rs) |
| “Cannabis oil” / CBD oil | High | Several seizures at borders have been reported; very risky without Serbian authorisations for medicines/import. (alo.rs) | Customs information for travellers; law/Spisak. (carina.rs, paragraflex.rs) |
| CBD vapes / edibles | High | Gummies or “space cake” containing cannabis are seized; packaging and content play a role. (carina.rs) | Customs notifications; criminal law. (mup.gov.rs) |
| CBD isolate (0% THC) in original packaging | Medium to high | Potentially lower risk, but origin, labelling and intended use are crucial; no guarantee. It may help to carry a certificate of analysis (COA). | Spisak / THC control; customs practice. (paragraf.rs, carina.rs) |
| Prescribed cannabis-based medicines | Medium | ONLY with Serbian permits/procedures (ALIMS/Ministry of Health) and documentation for personal use. (blic.rs) | Law on psychoactive substances; customs/medicines rules. (paragraflex.rs, carina.rs) |
Practical tips for entering the country
- Never bring CBD flowers, vapes or edibles into Serbia – these are particularly likely to be seized and confused with illegal cannabis products.
- If you (purely hypothetically) carry a THC-free CBD product: keep it in its original packaging and bring proof of purchase plus a printed certificate of analysis (COA) showing a clear batch number and THC 0.00%. This is not a legal entitlement, but may reduce misunderstandings.
- For medical products: clarify in advance whether a Serbian import/use authorisation is required (ALIMS/Ministry of Health) and carry a doctor’s certificate. (alims.gov.rs, carina.rs)
- Shipments of CBD or hemp goods by post to Serbia are particularly risky. Plant‑based products declared as “CBD” have also been intercepted by customs. (danas.rs)
Bringing CBD to Serbia is risky: customs frequently seize CBD flowers, oils, vapes and edibles, and even clearly labelled, THC‑free products can be delayed or confiscated while officials check their contents.
Purchase, possession and use of CBD in Serbia
Open, clearly regulated retail sale of CBD to consumers is not yet established under a transparent CBD law in Serbia. Shops may sell CBD‑labelled products, but this does not mean they are risk‑free under narcotics law.
Under the Criminal Code, the possession of substances classified as narcotics is punishable (up to 3 years in prison, and more for larger quantities). If a product contains THC or its origin is unclear, there is a real risk that it will be treated as “cannabis/cannabis extract”.
Anyone who still decides to buy CBD locally should, at a minimum:
- keep the purchase receipt, and
- obtain a COA (certificate of analysis) for the exact batch.
However, this documentation does not reliably protect against enforcement action if authorities suspect a narcotic substance. (mup.gov.rs)
| Area | Practical assessment | Legal basis / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Possession of CBD flowers | High risk (easily confused with cannabis) | Art. 246a Criminal Code (possession), substance list / THC. (mup.gov.rs, paragraf.rs) |
| Oils / tinctures | High risk (may be treated as “cannabis oil”) | Customs practice; controlled substances. (alo.rs, paragraflex.rs) |
| Use in public spaces | Strongly advised against (appearance / smell ≈ cannabis) | General drug offences; police practice. (mup.gov.rs) |
| Driving after taking CBD products | Strict – roadside saliva tests for psychoactive substances; even THC traces can be sufficient | Road Traffic Safety Act (Zakon o bezbednosti saobraćaja); sanctions for drug driving. (paragraf.rs) |
Driving in Serbia and CBD: drug tests and THC traces
Serbia conducts regular roadside tests for psychoactive substances, including “kanabis”. If you test positive, possible consequences include:
- fines
- penalty points
- temporary or longer‑term driving bans
- in some cases, detention.
These sanctions can apply even days after consumption. CBD products that contain any THC – including trace amounts – can, in theory, trigger a positive drug test. Drivers should therefore be extremely cautious about using any product that does not clearly guarantee 0% THC. (paragraf.rs, blic.rs)
Regional differences in CBD law in Serbia?
Narcotics law, including rules affecting CBD and THC, applies uniformly across the whole of Serbia. There are no regional “safe zones” where cannabis‑related rules are looser for consumers or tourists.
The only practical regional differences relate to agriculture: permits and registration for industrial hemp cultivation, where the THC limit is 0.3% for cultivation purposes. These rules concern farmers and do not mean that finished CBD products, or CBD travel rules, are more relaxed in any particular region. (paragraf.rs, konoplja.org.rs)
Comparison with the EU – important for EU travellers
Inside the EU, the Court of Justice of the European Union (Case C‑663/18, 19.11.2020 – “Kanavape”) decided that CBD is not a narcotic drug under the UN conventions and can in principle move freely within the EU internal market, provided it meets EU law.
However, Serbia is not an EU Member State, so this ruling does not automatically apply there. A CBD product that is lawful and freely sold in an EU country can still be seized when entering Serbia, and the person carrying it may face questions or further checks. (curia.europa.eu)
EU rules that allow CBD to circulate as a non‑narcotic do not extend to Serbia; even fully legal EU CBD products can be stopped, seized or investigated at the Serbian border.
Recommendations for tourists: can you bring CBD to Serbia safely?
- If in doubt, do not take CBD products to Serbia at all. This avoids the main risks around CBD legality in Serbia at the border and during your stay.
- Do not buy or use CBD products openly in Serbia, and only consider purchasing if the seller can provide full analytical documentation (COA) for the batch.
- If you need CBD or cannabis‑based medicines for medical reasons: clarify in advance with ALIMS or the Serbian Ministry of Health whether you need a special import authorisation or other paperwork. Carry medical certificates in Serbian or English. (alims.gov.rs)
- Do not travel with CBD flowers or edibles, and avoid products explicitly labelled as “cannabis oil”, as these are particularly sensitive.
- If you still decide to travel with CBD, keep it in its original packaging, carry the COA and proof of purchase, and avoid decanting into unlabelled containers.
- Avoid driving after using any CBD product that might contain THC, even trace amounts, because of Serbia’s strict drug‑driving enforcement. (paragraf.rs)
Primary legal sources on CBD law in Serbia (selection)
- Law on psychoactive controlled substances (framework): “Zakon o psihoaktivnim kontrolisanim supstancama”. (paragraflex.rs)
- Official list of controlled substances (Spisak), e.g. “Službeni glasnik RS” 77/2024. (paragraf.rs)
- Criminal Code – Art. 246 (trafficking/cultivation) and 246a (possession) – Interior Ministry pages. (mup.gov.rs)
- Customs administration: information for travellers (medicines/import). (carina.rs)
- Examples of administrative practice (seizures at borders/post): (alo.rs, carina.rs, danas.rs)
- Industrial hemp: cultivation rules / 0.3% THC (for cultivation purposes). (paragraf.rs, konoplja.org.rs)
- Road traffic law / drug testing: Road Traffic Safety Act (Zakon o bezbednosti saobraćaja). (paragraf.rs)
- EU comparison (not applicable in Serbia): CJEU C‑663/18 (Kanavape). (curia.europa.eu)
Conclusion: For tourists wondering “Is CBD legal in Serbia?”, it is important to understand that CBD travel rules are strict and enforcement can be tough. Importing or using CBD products, especially plant‑based or THC‑containing items, carries legal risks. To stay on the safe side, avoid bringing CBD into Serbia, do not use it in public, and, if you do carry or buy CBD, keep all supporting documents (COA, receipts, medical paperwork) without assuming that these will be sufficient on their own.