Countries Where Kratom Is Banned: Global Laws and Legal Status

Kratom is banned in roughly 15 to 20 countries worldwide, including Australia, Thailand (historically, though partially reversed), Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, South Korea, and several European nations. Legal status varies sharply by country and even by region within countries. Before purchasing, traveling with, or using kratom, verify the specific law in your jurisdiction, penalties range from fines to imprisonment.

What Countries Is Kratom Illegal In

Kratom is currently banned or heavily restricted in the following countries (as of 2026):

Country	Status	Key Law or Basis
Australia	Banned	Schedule 9 prohibited substance
Malaysia	Banned (possession)	Poisons Act 1952
Myanmar	Banned	Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law
Singapore	Banned	Misuse of Drugs Act
South Korea	Banned	Narcotics Control Act
Thailand	Partially reversed	Kratom Act 2021 allows limited use
Poland	Banned	Novel Psychoactive Substances Act
Latvia	Banned	Controlled Substances Law
Lithuania	Banned	Law on Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances
Romania	Banned	Law 194/2011
Sweden	Banned	Classified as health hazard
Denmark	Banned	Listed as controlled substance
Finland	Banned	Medicines Act classification
Japan	Banned	Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act
Russia	Banned	Federal Law on Narcotic Drugs

Common mistake: Assuming that because kratom is legal in your home country, it is legal at your destination. That assumption has resulted in documented arrests.

Is Kratom Legal in the United States

Kratom is federally legal in the United States as of 2026. The DEA considered scheduling it in 2016 but withdrew the proposal after significant public pushback. No federal ban is currently in place.

However, state-level bans exist. Six states prohibit kratom:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Indiana
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

Several additional states regulate it by age (typically 18 or 21 minimum) or require labeling. For a detailed breakdown of where kratom stands state by state, see this guide on where kratom is legal by state.

For federal-level analysis, the federal kratom legal status guide covers the DEA history, FDA warnings, and current regulatory posture in detail.

Practical takeaway: If you live in the US, check your specific state law. If you live in a legal state and plan to travel, confirm the destination state’s law before you pack kratom in your bag.

Why Did Countries Ban Kratom

Most countries banned kratom based on two primary concerns: its alkaloids interact with opioid receptors, and it has documented potential for dependence.

The data confirms three recurring reasons in government ban decisions:

1. Opioid receptor activity. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine bind to mu-opioid receptors. Regulators in multiple countries classify this as grounds for scheduling under existing narcotic or psychotropic substance laws.
2. Dependence and withdrawal reports. Clinical case reports document withdrawal symptoms consistent with opioid-type dependence, particularly with heavy, long-term use.
3. Lack of approved medical use. In most jurisdictions, kratom has not completed clinical trials or received pharmaceutical approval, which triggers default scheduling under “novel psychoactive substance” frameworks.

The structure shows a pattern: countries with existing strict narcotics frameworks (Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar) applied those frameworks to kratom early. Western countries with newer “novel psychoactive substance” laws (Poland, Romania, Sweden) used those laws instead.

Thailand is the notable reversal. After decades of prohibition under the Kratom Act of 1943, Thailand decriminalized kratom in 2021 under the Kratom Act B.E. 2564, recognizing its traditional cultural use and potential economic value.

Kratom Legal Status by Country: Updated for 2026

Start here if you need a fast regional summary.

Asia-Pacific

• Thailand: Decriminalized for traditional use since 2021, but commercial sale remains regulated.
• Malaysia: Illegal to possess, process, or traffic under the Poisons Act 1952. Enforcement is active.
• Indonesia: Legal to grow and export (Indonesia is the primary global supplier), but domestic consumption laws vary by region.
• Japan: Banned under pharmaceutical law. Japan kratom legal analysis.

Europe

• Most EU countries: Legal with no specific scheduling.
• Banned in: Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Sweden, Denmark, Finland.
• Austria: Legal. Austria kratom law details here.
• Croatia: Legal. Croatia kratom legal status.
• Spain: Legal. Spain kratom law overview.

Americas

• United States: Federally legal, six states banned.
• Canada: Not banned, but restricted from sale as a food or supplement for human consumption.
• Mexico: Legal. Mexico kratom legal status.

Oceania

• Australia: Schedule 9 prohibited substance. Possession and importation are criminal offenses.
• New Zealand: Controlled under the Psychoactive Substances Act.

Can I Travel With Kratom Internationally

No. Traveling internationally with kratom is high-risk and should be avoided unless you have confirmed that both your departure and destination countries permit it.

The structure shows the problem clearly:

• Customs agencies in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea actively screen for kratom.
• Even if kratom is legal in your home country, importing it into a banned country is a criminal act.
• Airport seizures are documented. Criminal charges in some jurisdictions follow automatically upon detection.

Step by step: what to do before traveling

1. Identify every country on your itinerary, including layover countries.
2. Look up the specific controlled substance law for each country.
3. Check whether kratom is listed by name or by its alkaloids (mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine).
4. If any country on the route bans it, leave kratom at home.
5. Do not rely on online forum posts for legal confirmation. Use official government sources or legal counsel.

Clear signal: If you cannot find an official government document confirming legality, treat it as banned.

What Happens If You Get Caught With Kratom in a Banned Country

Penalties vary widely, but the worst outcomes are serious.

Country	Potential Penalty
Singapore	Up to 10 years imprisonment and/or fine
Malaysia	Up to 5 years imprisonment
Australia	Criminal charges, fines, possible imprisonment
South Korea	Up to 5 years imprisonment
Poland	Fines and possible prosecution under drug law

This matters because even small personal-use quantities can trigger criminal prosecution in zero-tolerance jurisdictions. Singapore and Malaysia, in particular, apply strict liability to drug possession, meaning intent is not always a defense.

Proven pattern: Tourists have faced charges in Southeast Asia for kratom found in luggage during routine customs inspection. Diplomatic intervention does not guarantee release from prosecution.

Is Kratom Banned in Europe

Kratom is not banned across Europe as a whole. Most EU member states do not specifically schedule it. However, several countries have enacted bans.

Banned in Europe: Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Sweden, Denmark, Finland.

Legal in Europe (as of 2026): Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and most other EU members.

What to prioritize: Check the specific country law, not EU-wide guidance. The EU has not issued a union-wide scheduling decision on kratom as of 2026.

Is Kratom Banned in Canada and Australia

These two countries have opposite legal frameworks.

Canada: Kratom is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. However, Health Canada prohibits its sale as a food, natural health product, or supplement for human consumption without approval. It exists in a legal gray zone: possession is not criminalized, but commercial sale for consumption faces regulatory barriers. For a detailed breakdown, see the Canada kratom laws and restrictions guide.

Australia: Kratom is a Schedule 9 prohibited substance under the Therapeutic Goods Act. Schedule 9 is the most restrictive category, covering substances with no accepted medical use and high abuse potential. Possession, importation, and supply are all criminal offenses. There is no personal-use exemption.

Common mistake: Assuming Canada’s gray-zone status means open legal access. Retail sale for consumption remains prohibited without Health Canada approval, which no kratom product currently holds.

How Strict Are Kratom Laws in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is the strictest region globally for kratom enforcement, despite the plant being native to the region.

• Malaysia: Active enforcement. Possession cases result in prosecution. The Poisons Act 1952 lists Mitragyna speciosa (kratom’s botanical name) explicitly.
• Myanmar: Banned under narcotic law. Enforcement is inconsistent due to broader governance challenges, but the legal prohibition is clear.
• Singapore: Zero-tolerance drug enforcement. Kratom is listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Singapore’s drug enforcement record is among the strictest in the world.
• Thailand: The 2021 Kratom Act reversed the 1943 ban. Traditional use and licensed commercial activity are now permitted, but unregulated sale and export without a license remain restricted.
• Indonesia: Legal to cultivate and export. Indonesia supplies the majority of global kratom. Domestic consumption laws are less clearly codified, but export is the primary economic driver.

Proven pattern: The countries that banned kratom earliest (Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar) did so partly to suppress its use as an opium substitute among laborers, not purely for public health reasons. Thailand’s reversal reflects a reassessment of that history.

How Do I Know If Kratom Is Legal Where I Live

Start here: check your country’s official controlled substances list, then check your state or provincial law.

Step by step:

1. Search your national health ministry or drug enforcement agency website for “Mitragyna speciosa” or “mitragynine.”
2. If not listed at the national level, check regional or state law (critical in the US, Australia, and Canada).
3. Confirm the law’s current version. Kratom legal status has changed in multiple countries since 2020.
4. For US residents, the state-by-state kratom legal guide provides current status for all 50 states.

What to skip: Social media groups and vendor websites. These sources frequently lag behind legal changes or have commercial incentives to understate restrictions.

Kratom Legal Alternatives in Banned Countries

No plant replicates kratom’s alkaloid profile exactly. That is the honest answer.

Several botanicals are sometimes discussed as alternatives in jurisdictions where kratom is banned:

• Kava (Piper methysticum): Legal in most countries. Produces relaxation via kavalactones. Does not interact with opioid receptors.
• Akuamma (Picralima nitida): Contains alkaloids with some opioid receptor activity. Legal status varies. Less studied than kratom.
• Corydalis (Corydalis yanhusuo): Used in traditional Chinese medicine. Some analgesic properties. Legal in most jurisdictions.

The data confirms: None of these produce identical effects to kratom. Users seeking kratom for specific outcomes (energy, pain management, mood) will find these alternatives partially effective at best.

Practical takeaway: If you live in a country where kratom is banned, consult a licensed healthcare provider about evidence-based alternatives for your specific use case. Self-medicating with unregulated botanicals in any jurisdiction carries its own risks.

Which Countries Recently Banned or Changed Kratom Laws

The most significant recent change is Thailand’s partial reversal. In 2021, Thailand passed the Kratom Act B.E. 2564, removing kratom from its narcotics list and allowing traditional consumption and licensed commercial activity.

No major new national bans have been enacted since 2022, but regulatory reviews are ongoing in:

• New Zealand: Reviewing psychoactive substance classifications.
• Germany: The EU novel food regulation process could affect kratom’s commercial status.
• United States: The FDA continues to issue import alerts and warning letters to kratom vendors, and individual states periodically introduce new legislation.

Clear signal: The trend in Southeast Asia is toward cautious legalization or decriminalization. The trend in parts of Europe and Oceania remains toward restriction.

What Are the Penalties for Kratom Possession in Banned Countries

Penalties range from administrative fines to multi-year imprisonment depending on the country and quantity.

• Singapore and Malaysia: Criminal prosecution is standard. Prison sentences of multiple years are documented outcomes.
• Australia: Criminal charges under state and federal law. Fines and imprisonment are both possible.
• European banned countries (Poland, Sweden, etc.): Generally lower penalties than Southeast Asia. Fines and short sentences are more common for personal possession.
• South Korea: Up to 5 years imprisonment under the Narcotics Control Act.

This matters because kratom is not treated as a minor infraction in high-enforcement jurisdictions. The legal framework in Singapore, for example, treats possession of any controlled substance with the same procedural seriousness as harder drugs.

Will More Countries Ban Kratom in the Future

The trajectory is mixed. Based on current regulatory patterns:

• More bans are possible in countries currently reviewing novel psychoactive substances, particularly in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia.
• Legalization or decriminalization is possible in countries with active advocacy movements, including the US (at the state level) and potentially Malaysia if Thailand’s model proves economically viable.
• The US federal ban risk is lower in 2026 than it was in 2016, given the withdrawal of the DEA scheduling proposal and the passage of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act in multiple states.

The structure shows that countries with traditional use histories (Thailand, Indonesia) are moving toward regulated access, while countries with no cultural relationship to the plant are more likely to maintain or expand bans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is kratom a controlled substance in the US?

No. Kratom is not federally scheduled in the US as of 2026. However, six states ban it: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

Can I mail kratom to another country?

Only if both the sending and receiving countries permit it. Mailing kratom to Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, or any other country where it is banned is illegal and can result in criminal charges for the sender.

Is kratom legal in the UK?

Kratom is not specifically scheduled under the UK Misuse of Drugs Act, but it may fall under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, which bans the sale of psychoactive substances. Possession for personal use is not explicitly criminalized, but the legal status is ambiguous.

Is kratom legal in Germany?

Yes, as of 2026. Kratom is not scheduled in Germany. However, EU novel food regulations may affect its commercial sale as a supplement.

What is the safest way to buy kratom legally?

Purchase from a vendor in a jurisdiction where kratom is legal, ensure the vendor provides third-party lab testing, and confirm your local laws before ordering. For verified vendor options, see where to buy kratom online.

Does kratom show up on drug tests?

Standard drug panels do not test for kratom alkaloids. Specialized tests can detect mitragynine. For detection window data, see the kratom urine detection guide.

Is kratom legal in Thailand now?

Partially. The 2021 Kratom Act removed kratom from Thailand’s narcotics list and allows traditional use and licensed commercial activity. Unregulated export and sale without a license remain restricted.

Why is kratom banned in Australia but legal in the US?

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration classified kratom as Schedule 9 based on its opioid receptor activity and lack of approved medical use. The US DEA evaluated similar data in 2016 but withdrew its scheduling proposal after public and congressional opposition.

Can I bring kratom from the US to Canada?

Technically, kratom is not a controlled substance in either country, but importing it into Canada for sale as a food or supplement is prohibited by Health Canada. Personal importation exists in a gray area. The safest approach is to not cross the border with it.

Are kratom laws changing in 2026?

No major new national bans have been confirmed in 2026. The US continues to see state-level legislative activity. Thailand’s 2021 model is being watched by other Southeast Asian governments.

Conclusion

The data confirms a clear picture: kratom is legal in many countries and banned in a significant number of others, with the strictest enforcement in Southeast Asia and Oceania. The United States remains federally legal but fragmented at the state level.

Legal status changes. The safest approach is to verify, not assume.

References

• European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). “Kratom Drug Profile.” 2015. https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/kratom
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “Withdrawal of Notice of Intent to Temporarily Place Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine into Schedule I.” Federal Register, 2016.
• Thailand Narcotics Control Board. “Kratom Act B.E. 2564.” 2021.
• Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia). “Scheduling Delegate’s Final Decisions: Mitragyna speciosa.” 2020.
• Health Canada. “Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa).” 2018.
• Swogger, M.T., and Walsh, Z. “Kratom use and mental health: A systematic review.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2018.
• Singh, D., et al. “Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) dependence, withdrawal symptoms and craving in regular users.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2014.