We frequently receive questions about traveling with kratom. That is not surprising given that kratom legality is not the same everywhere in the world.
Kratom is an extremely beneficial herb that helps people manage pain, stress, depression, anxiety, improve their sleep, quit prescription opioids, as well as boost their energy levels, focus, and concentration.
Therefore, it’s understandable that kratom lovers would like to maintain their improved quality of life not only in their day-to-day life but also when they travel. This leads to a variety of questions, such as:
- Is it legal to travel with kratom to certain locations?
- Can you travel with kratom on a plane?
- Should kratom go in the checked-in or carry-on luggage?
- Can you take kratom on your travel abroad?
We frequently answer people’s queries on traveling with kratom and decided to finally gather our answers in a single post.
Is It Legal to Travel with Kratom in the United States?
As long as kratom is legal in your destination, you should be able to travel with kratom without any issues. There is no federal kratom or kratom alkaloid ban in the country; however, certain states and municipalities across the United States have banned kratom.
In 2016, there was an attempt to ban kratom nationwide and list kratom as a Schedule I drug along with substances such as LSD, heroin, Ecstasy, and marijuana. This would have made traveling with kratom illegal. Yet, due to activism from kratom supporters, this did not happen.
Nonetheless, several locations across the country ban kratom. The states where kratom is illegal are:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
In addition to those, kratom is also illegal in:
- San Diego, CA
- Sarasota County, FL
- Jerseyville, IL
- Alton, IL
- Several counties and towns in Northern Mississippi.
So, you can travel with kratom to locations where it is legal. However, we strongly advise against traveling with kratom if it’s in your destination. Doing so can put you in jeopardy and spread negative information about the herb, giving kratom ban advocates more ammunition.
Always Check the Legalities before Traveling
We strongly advise that you check the legalities right before you travel to avoid any unexpected developments. That’s because there is pending legislation in a number of other states. Things can change overnight, and we may not be able to update the information above right away.
So, please refer to the following posts below:
- Kratom Legality in the Different States in the US
- Kratom Legality in the World including the United States (please refer to the comment section as some of your questions may have already been answered)
You can also find information on current and past kratom bills in the United States here. Keep in mind though that this source will only include bills that cover the entire state. Any legality issues regarding cities and counties will not appear there.
Is It Traveling with Kratom Abroad Legal?
This question, however, is not as easy to answer. The legality of traveling with kratom depends on each individual country’s legislation which you should check or inquire about before you travel there.
Though be careful. While it would make logical sense to assume that kratom is legal if it’s not banned, keep in mind that the popularity of kratom is a lot higher in the United States than it is in other countries around the world.
Due to multiple reasons, we can’t provide a definitive list of all countries where kratom is illegal. Nonetheless, below are countries that have either banned kratom and the entry with kratom there may be problematic:
- Australia
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Colombia
- Denmark
- Finland
- Germany
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Jordan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Poland
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sweden
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam
Once again, the list above is not exhaustive and it’s best to check the legalities right before you travel.
When in Doubt, Keep Kratom at Home
We know that it may not be the most optimal choice in terms of your wellbeing; it could keep you out of potential trouble with the law enforcement officials in foreign countries. Make sure to quit kratom or taper off at least a few days prior to your travel. This will make it easier for your body to adjust.
Many countries have very limited or no knowledge about kratom. So, they wouldn’t have the procedures or procedures needed to identify that what you’re carrying is kratom rather than something else that may be illegal in that specific country.
While in the United States you’re considered innocent until proven guilty and officials cannot detain you without a case, other countries do not necessarily function in the same way. You risk being detained, and charges can be severe. So, it’s best to avoid legal problems altogether.
Last but not least, what should you do at the airport if you choose to travel with kratom? Should you put in your carry-on or checked-in luggage?
How to Travel with Kratom
To avoid any potential issues, place kratom in your checked-in luggage. Even if kratom is legal, TSA officials may not be familiar with it and suspect that you are carrying something illegal. This can cause delays, or, in some countries, may even cause you to be detained.
Checked-in luggage is not likely to be checked during layovers. Nevertheless, if you have a layover in a country or state where kratom is illegal, it’s best not to have it with you regardless.
Pack kratom in its original unopened packaging. This will make identifying it much easier.
Have you ever traveled with kratom? Where did you travel? How did it go?
My good friend purchased a large amount of Kratom, from an online herbal store here in the Philippines. I believe it grows here. He needs to leave for the US very soon, and does not want to waist all that he has purchased. He is planning to put this in a check in bag upon departure. He discussed this issue with me for my opinion. So I thought I would look this up here on the internet for , mabey an accurate answer. Thank you. JAY.
Hello Jay,
First of all, to be completely honest, we would be very wary of kratom purchased in the Philippines. While a variety of Mitragyna grows in the Phillippines, it is not Mitragyna speciosa that we know in the States as kratom. Even though the leaves of the variety that grows in the Phillippines are similar to kratom in the way they look which can get people fooled, is not as tall as kratom and possesses different alkaloids. There are several varieties of Mitragyna that grow across Asia and they all have different alkaloids and only Mitragyna speciosa has mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine that give kratom its beneficial properties. It is not uncommon for other Asian countries to sell the other varieties of kratom labeling them as kratom, when they are not actually kratom. That is a fake product that does not have the effects that kratom has. There is also a risk of the product not being pure. Asian countries do not have the testing requirements that, e.g. the KCPA requires; so there is absolutely no guarantee that the powder is free of any pathogens and contaminants and safe to ingest.
If your friend chooses to take this herb back to the United States at his own risk (knowing it may be fake or contaminated), he should pack unopened packages with their original labeling and review the legality of the state he is traveling to as well as the countries he is traveling through. While not common, luggage may be screened in some transit countries which could put him at risk if kratom is illegal there. We would not be able to advise him further on the legalities without knowing these locations.
Let us know if you have any other doubts or questions. Safe travels to your friend.