The legality of kratom is not the same everywhere, which means you must know some dos and don’ts before traveling with it. This brings us to the question of whether or not you can take kratom on a plane. Continue reading to equip yourself with all the information you need before traveling with kratom.
Although kratom is unregulated at the federal level in the United States, the laws governing the use of kratom can vary from state to state. While it is unregulated or legal in most states, a few states have prohibited its use.
For this reason, there are laws in these states prohibiting you from traveling to or from them with kratom. For example, in a state where kratom is banned, it is technically illegal for you to fly to that state with kratom. Doing so means you are breaking the laws of that state, and there could be serious monetary and criminal penalties for that. The penalties can range from $200 to $1000 and possibly criminal charges or jail time, depending on the particular region’s regulations.
But in states or regions where kratom is legal, it is completely okay to fly with it as long as you stick to Transportation Security Administration guidelines as well as the specific airline’s policies.
Before we look at other important things about traveling with kratom, the table below shows you where kratom is banned in the U.S. and the specific cities and counties that banned kratom (but are in legal states).
States in the U.S. that banned kratom | Cities in the U.S. that banned kratom |
---|---|
Alabama | San Diego and Oceanside in California |
Arkansas | Jerseyville, Alton, Glen Carbon, and Edwardsville in Illinois |
Indiana | Sarasota County in Florida |
Rhodes Island | Franklin, Ascension Parish and Rapides Parish in Louisiana |
Vermont | 33 counties and cities in Mississippi |
Wisconsin |
Since kratom is banned in some cities in states where kratom is legal, it means that you must be careful when going to airports in these regions. For example, kratom is banned in San Diego, California, but some Redditors said they have never experienced any issues flying with kratom into the San Diego International Airport. However, it is best not to travel with kratom to places where it is prohibited to avoid potential criminal penalties and fines, even if you are at the airport for a layover.
Now that we are clear with this, let’s move on to the best place to store your kratom when flying.
As long as you are traveling to and from a place where kratom is legal, you are free to carry kratom in either your checked baggage or carry-on baggage. However, always leave your kratom in the original packaging. The reason for this is because some TSA officers may not be familiar with kratom, so it’s easy for them to read the information on the package and talk to the supplier if need be if you come in for questioning about it.
Another thing that matters when taking kratom on a plane is the form of kratom you are transporting. Are you traveling with kratom tea bags, powders, capsules, or liquids? Below are a few points to keep in mind when flying with a particular form of kratom:
For more information on this, you can read “What can I bring to the airport?” on the TSA website.
The rules for flying locally and internationally are almost the same as long as your destination permits the use of kratom. There are consequences for breaking the law; some countries could impose a fine of $500-$1000, while in some stricter countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, you could spend up to 10 years in jail.
If you intend to fly internationally with kratom, beware of the following countries where kratom is currently prohibited:
Europe | Other Countries |
---|---|
Sweden | Australia |
Russia | Argentina |
Turkey | China |
Switzerland | Japan |
Poland | Israel |
Romania | Myanmar |
United Kingdom | Malaysia |
Lithuania | New Zealand |
Italy | Singapore |
Latvia | South Korea |
Ireland | Vietnam |
Iceland | |
Belarus | |
Croatia | |
Bulgaria | |
Denmark | |
Estonia | |
Finland | |
Germany | |
France |
The legality of Kratom in Africa is not very clear, so you may want to avoid traveling with it there to prevent unnecessary questioning, delay, or possible criminal or civil penalties.
You can take kratom on a plane as long as it is legal at your destination. When flying, make sure you leave the product in the manufacturer’s packaging. This will help the TSA officers understand what you have with you in case they notice it and want to ask some questions.
Always do your research on the legality of kratom in any state, city, county, or country you are traveling to before embarking on the journey. The laws are not the same everywhere and can change over time. Breaking the laws at your destination can cost you money in fines or even land you with criminal penalties. If you are traveling to a place where kratom laws are not well defined, it would be better to leave your kratom at home.
CONTENT DISCLAIMER: The content on this page is strictly for entertainment purposes only. The content below has not been medically reviewed and is not intended to offer advice for use or intended use. For more information about kratom and its potential dangers, please visit the fda.gov site.