Is Kratom legal in China?
- Legal status
- Controlled — kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) was placed under national control in the Supplementary Catalogue of Controlled Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances for Non-medical Use, effective 1 July 2024. It was one of 46 substances jointly announced on 16 June 2024 by the Ministry of Public Security, the National Health Commission and the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). The listing is a firm named scheduling of the plant material.
- Consequences if caught
- Handled under China's narcotics-control framework: unauthorised possession, sale, transport or manufacture is punishable under the Regulations on the Administration of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and Criminal Law arts. 347-357, with penalties ranging from administrative detention to lengthy imprisonment for trafficking/production.
- If prescribed or medical
- Listed in the non-medical-use catalogue; kratom has no recognised medical or prescription use in China, so there is no lawful therapeutic supply pathway.
- Documentation
- Scheduled via the Supplementary Catalogue of Controlled Varieties of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances for Non-medical Use (announcement of the Ministry of Public Security, National Health Commission and NMPA, 16 June 2024; in force 1 July 2024). Reflected in the UNODC national legislation listing for China.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with China’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →