Is Kratom legal in United Kingdom?
- Legal status
- Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but its production, supply, import and export are illegal under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016; simple personal possession is not an offence. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are caught via the Act's general psychoactivity test rather than being separately scheduled.
- Consequences if caught
- Producing, supplying, importing or exporting kratom can carry up to 7 years under the PSA 2016; simple possession (outside a custodial institution) is not an offence.
- If prescribed or medical
- No lawful medical route — kratom is not a licensed medicine and is not prescribable in the UK.
- Documentation
- Importing kratom for personal use is an offence under the PSA 2016; there is no personal-import allowance.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with United Kingdom’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 →