Is Mitragynine legal in United Kingdom?
- Legal status
- Mitragynine, the principal alkaloid of kratom, has no separate legal identity in the United Kingdom: it is not scheduled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but as the psychoactive basis of the leaf it is controlled together with the plant under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, which prohibits producing, supplying, importing or exporting kratom (simple possession is not an offence).
- Consequences if caught
- Producing, supplying or importing kratom (and thus its alkaloids) under the PSA 2016 carries up to 7 years plus a fine; simple possession for personal use is not an offence.
- If prescribed or medical
- No lawful medical route — kratom and its alkaloids have no UK marketing authorisation and are not prescribable.
- Documentation
- No lawful personal-import route for supply; importing kratom is a PSA 2016 offence, though personal possession itself is not penalised.
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 →