UPS says that beginning December 11, 2026, every shipment of raw hemp it accepts must contain a certificate of analysis or test results showing no more than 0.3% total THC on a dry-weight basis, including THCA. That is one part of a broader U.S. policy that treats raw hemp, finished hemp derivatives and marijuana differently.
The new document requirement applies to raw hemp, not every finished CBD product. UPS says the COA or test results must count THCA as part of total THC and show a concentration at or below 0.3% on a dry-weight basis.
Raw Hemp Requires Advance Approval
UPS does not offer ordinary walk-in shipping for hemp in plant form. Its policy says raw hemp is accepted only as a contractual service for pre-approved shippers. A business must open a dedicated account and provide UPS with its licenses and a signed agreement.
Accepted raw-hemp shipments must comply with federal, state and local law. The outer package and its labels cannot identify the contents as raw hemp, and the shipper must use UPS Adult Signature Required service. The shipper—not the carrier—remains responsible for the licenses, registrations, approvals and authority needed to sell and ship the material.
UPS Draws Clear Product Lines
What the Rule Means for THCA Flower
The UPS page does not grant THCA flower a separate shipping category. If flower is tendered as raw hemp, the December 11 test must show no more than 0.3% total THC after THCA is included. High-THCA flower that stays below 0.3% delta-9 THC but rises above the limit when THCA is counted would not satisfy that raw-hemp condition.
Carrier acceptance is also not a legal determination. A label, tracking number or completed delivery does not override federal, state or local law, and UPS can refuse a package even when a shipper believes the contents qualify as hemp. Businesses should distinguish the carrier's contract rules from the legal status of the product at origin, in transit and at its destination.
What CBD Shippers Should Check
Finished CBD oils, gummies, topicals and other hemp derivatives are not subject to the raw-hemp pre-approval language on the UPS page. They are still accepted only to the extent allowed by every law that applies to the shipment. UPS specifically points to state potency limits as an example.
Every U.S. package containing hemp or hemp derivatives must use Adult Signature Required service. Inhalable products need extra scrutiny: UPS prohibits hemp derivatives intended to be consumed through an aerosolized solution. The policy also bars every synthetic or lab-made cannabinoid compound and its derivatives.
A Practical Compliance Checklist
- Classify the contents accurately as raw hemp, a hemp derivative or a prohibited product.
- For raw hemp, obtain UPS pre-approval, a dedicated account and the required contractual agreement before tendering a package.
- Keep every license, registration and government approval current.
- Beginning December 11, put compliant total-THC test results inside every accepted raw-hemp shipment.
- Use Adult Signature Required service for every U.S. shipment containing hemp or hemp derivatives.
- For raw hemp, do not identify the contents as hemp on the label or outer box.
- Check the law at the shipment's origin and destination, including state and local potency limits.
- Do not tender marijuana, lab-made cannabinoids or aerosolized hemp products.
Noncompliant Packages Put the Account at Risk
UPS reserves the right to refuse or dispose of prohibited hemp, marijuana or hemp-product shipments. It also says it may discontinue service to a shipper that tenders a package that violates applicable law or the carrier's terms. For a hemp business, that makes the shipping policy an account-level compliance issue, not just a single-package question.
Clear answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Ship CBD Products With UPS?
UPS says it accepts hemp derivatives and products containing hemp derivatives only when the shipment complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws. Every U.S. shipment containing hemp or hemp derivatives must use UPS Adult Signature Required service. Hemp derivatives intended for consumption through an aerosolized solution are prohibited in the U.S. network.
Can You Ship THCA Flower With UPS?
UPS does not give THCA flower a blanket approval. Raw hemp is accepted only from pre-approved contractual shippers, and beginning December 11, 2026, the shipment must contain test results showing no more than 0.3% total THC on a dry-weight basis, including THCA. Marijuana remains prohibited.
Does UPS Require an Adult Signature for Hemp Shipments?
Yes. UPS says all U.S. shipments containing hemp or hemp derivatives must use its Adult Signature Required service.
Can Medical Marijuana Be Shipped With UPS?
No. UPS prohibits marijuana shipments under any circumstances, including when the marijuana is for medical use or legal under state law.
Can a Dispensary Use UPS to Ship Hemp Products?
Not from a location that sells marijuana or marijuana products. UPS says it will not accept hemp or hemp-derivative shipments from those locations.