A Quick Guide to Kratom’s Legal Status in Peru

Teeming with vibrant landscapes, rich history, and a deep blend of indigenous and Spanish culture, Peru is no doubt one of the best places to visit for travelers who want to see a picture of ancient human history. If you’re planning a trip to Peru and intend to take your kratom stash with you, you’ll be happy to know that the herb is free to own and use within the country.

But there are a few nuances that are worth knowing. Find out more about Peru’s kratom laws and how you can safely and responsibly navigate the country with your kratom stash in tow.

Is Kratom Legal in Peru?

When discussing kratom’s legal status, it’s important to point out that ‘legal’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘regulated.’ For the most part, Peru’s population remains unaware of what kratom even is. Presently, there is a very small if not almost non-existent kratom market in Peru, so the government isn’t necessarily incentivized to control or regulate it, since it hardly exists in their territory.

On the other hand, although it is ‘legal’, it’s also not a ‘regulated’ industry. That means that the very few sellers that do operate in the country are free to label kratom products however they want without getting so much as a second glance – because it’s not a regulated product. For customers, this thins out the possible layers of protection against dangerous and unsafe products.

Can You Buy Kratom in Peru?

According to some Reddit users, yes, there are a handful of smoke shops that keep kratom as part of their inventory, but supply tends to fluctuate. So while you might be able to purchase some locally, kratom’s availability isn’t as reliable as what you would expect on US soil.

Another thing to keep in mind is that kratom is legal, but not necessarily regulated. This means that although there are no penalties for owning or using kratom while you’re there, there are also no safeguards in place to monitor, regulate, and control the local kratom market.

Without any regulatory oversight, unscrupulous vendors are essentially at liberty to sell products labeled ‘kratom’ despite falling short of the usual standards you would expect. For shoppers like you, that means it becomes exponentially easier to purchase contaminated, mislabeled, or counterfeit products. 

So what’s the alternative? If you’re travelling to Peru and you’re thinking of shopping for kratom when you get there, know that the local options are scarce and quality is uncertain. Alternatively, you can shop for kratom online from US vendors that explicitly ship to Peru.

It’s worth mentioning, though, that shipping from the US to Peru could take anywhere from 4 days to 4 weeks, depending on the type of service that you avail. Of course, that’s just the time it takes for a package to arrive in Peru; customs bottlenecks are another cause for delay.

While your kratom parcel may make it to Peruvian soil in a few weeks time, processing it and passing through customs could extend your wait time to up to 3 months.

That said, it might be best to simply take your stash with you from home, as the chances of having it seized at the airport (especially if you’re bringing just a small amount) aren’t too high.

Traveling with Kratom to Peru

Kratom is not illegal in Peru, but because kratom isn’t yet common knowledge in Peru, it’s possible for customs authorities to feel suspicious of a strange, earthy, brown-green powder carried by a foreigner.

So while it might be legal, there’s not a 100% guarantee that your kratom stash won’t get you pulled to the side. In case that happens, all you’ll likely need is some documentation on the off-chance that you’re questioned by customs.

To be on the safe side, make sure you bring your:

• Kratom in its original packaging, ideally sealed;
• Preferably, kratom capsules. Avoid loose powder;
• Just enough kratom to last your trip;
• Receipts for the specific kratom products you have with you;
• Lab reports.

Being able to prove that your stash is kratom and isn’t on their list of controlled substances should help significantly to get you through without a hitch. But if a customs agent remains suspicious and insists on seizing your product, see to it that you:

• Deal with them calmly and professionally;
• Explain your stash, what it’s for, and why you need it;
• Indicate that the amount is for personal use and will not be used for commercial purpose while within the country;
• Don’t argue – if they decide to take your stash, just let them.

Again, the risk is pretty low considering that Peru has some fairly flexible laws when it comes to herbals like cannabis. But then again, kratom isn’t too well-known and a customs worker will typically err on the side of caution when confronted with a substance they can’t identify.

Traveling to Peru with Kratom

Peru in general is fairly accommodating of kratom, although the general population remains relatively unaware of what kratom even is. So make sure to keep your documentation handy so you can present your case, on the off-chance that customs decides to ask some questions.

Although you might be able to purchase kratom locally, there’s no guarantee that it’ll be authentic or unadulterated. International shipments from US-based kratom vendors, on the other hand, could take months to arrive. So if you’re set on keeping a stash with you while you’re in Peru, just pack the exact amount of kratom that you need.