If you’re considering using or purchasing kratom while traveling abroad, you should familiarize yourself with international kratom laws so that you can avoid any legal problems far away from home. This can be easily done by breaking international kratom law down into three categories: where it’s legal, where there are restrictions, and where it’s banned. Here is a partial list of countries and their respective kratom regulations.
Countries Where Kratom is Legal
Several countries allow the legal use and possession of kratom without any restrictions. These countries include:
United States: In most states, kratom is legal to purchase and consume. However, some states may have restrictions or bans, so checking local laws before traveling is essential. You’ll want to do this as close as possible to your planned travel dates to ensure you have the most current and up-to-date information. For some great tips about purchasing kratom online in the United States, make sure to check out our blog.
Canada: As of January 2021, the laws surrounding kratom are a bit murky as it is legal for personal use as a Natural Health Product (as incense, for example), but not for human consumption. Health Canada, the department responsible for national health policy in Canada, has not approved it for medicinal purposes and has disallowed the marketing of kratom for consumption.
Germany, Netherlands, the Philippines, and New Zealand: Kratom is legal for purchase and consumption in these countries.
Latin America: Kratom is legal in most Latin American countries, including Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, and Brazil. It’s currently unregulated in Venezuela. The only exception is Argentina.
Thailand: The Thai government banned kratom use and possession in 1943; however, they reversed course after decades considering its cultural significance and role in Thai culture. In 2021, the Thai government passed Narcotics Act (No. 8) B.E. 2564, which removed it from the list of prohibited substances.
Which Countries Have Restrictions?
Some countries have placed restrictions on the sale, possession, or use of kratom. These restrictions may include age limits, licensing requirements, or other regulations. Some of these countries include:
Sweden: Kratom is legal for purchase and consumption in Sweden, but it’s classified as a controlled substance requiring authorization from the Medical Products Agency.
Finland: Kratom is legal for purchase and consumption in Finland, but it’s classified as a medicinal product, requiring authorization from the Finnish Medicines Agency.
Denmark, Norway, and Poland: In these countries, kratom is legal for purchase and consumption, but it is subject to restrictions and regulations, so make sure to research if you’re considering purchasing kratom while traveling to any of these locales.
Where Is It Banned?
Unfortunately, several countries have banned the sale, possession, and/or use of kratom altogether. Some of the countries where kratom is illegal include:
Argentina: A law that decreed kratom as a narcotic went into effect in 2017.
Australia and New Zealand: As of 2015, kratom has been controlled as a narcotic in Australia and, separately, in New Zealand under Medicines Regulation 1984.
Bulgaria: Kratom was banned by decree in 2015 in its s Regulation on Classification of Plants and Substances as Narcotics.
United Kingdom: Kratom has been illegal for purchase and consumption in the UK (including Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, & England) since 2016 with the enactment of the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Law.
Malaysia and Singapore: While the kratom plant is indigenous to these countries, it’s illegal in Malaysia and classified as a dangerous drug under the Poisons Act 1952 and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. The penalties for drug offenses in Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia and Singapore can range from long prison sentences to severe whippings, and even mandatory death sentences, so please exercise as much caution as possible when traveling to any of these countries.
Myanmar (Burma), South Korea: Kratom is illegal in Myanmar and South Korea, where it’s classified as a narcotic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law and under the South Korean Narcotics Control Act, respectively.
Hong Kong, Japan, and Vietnam: Kratom is illegal and classified as a banned substance under local law in these locations. Japanese Customs has detailed information for foreign travelers about which substances are illegal when traveling in Japan.
Russia: Kratom is illegal in Russia, where it’s classified as a Schedule I narcotic substance under Russian law.
Inter-Country Laws and Regulations
When traveling between countries, it’s crucial to be aware of the legal status of kratom at each destination. Even if kratom is legal in the country where you are traveling, it may be illegal or subject to restrictions in other countries.
This is especially true in the European Union (E.U.), where the Schengen Agreement allows for free-flowing inter-state travel between countries. For example, in France, kratom can be used and possessed, but selling it is considered drug trafficking, while in neighboring Spain, it’s currently unregulated.
Here are some key points to consider:
Customs Regulations: Many countries have strict customs regulations regarding controlled substances. Attempting to bring kratom into a country where it is illegal can result in severe penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and sometimes much worse, depending on the country.
International Travel: If you plan to travel internationally with kratom, educate yourself about the most up-to-date laws and regulations of your destination country beforehand. You may consider carrying some type of documentation, such as a doctor’s prescription or a letter from a healthcare provider if kratom is legal for medicinal use in your home country.
Online Purchases: Some countries have laws that prohibit importing kratom through online purchases. Before ordering kratom from an international vendor, verify that it is legal to import kratom into the country you’re visiting.
The Bottom Line
The legal status of kratom can vary from country to country and is constantly evolving as more research is done. The consequences of breaking these laws, even if inadvertently, can sometimes be deadly serious, so it’s essential to research and understand international kratom laws and regulations in your country and any destination you visit to avoid any severe legal repercussions.
For the latest on everything kratom, visit our blog.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that purchasing, possessing, or using kratom in other countries carries inherent legal risks. The information presented here aims to assist you in buying kratom safely and legally, and it is not intended as legal guidance. Prior to traveling to any country where you may purchase, possess, or use kratom, it is recommended that you do your own research to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.
