Kratom is a popular herbal extract that many users take for its stimulant, relaxing and euphoric effects, depending on the dose, and is legal in many countries around the world.
But as it isn’t legal worldwide, you can get into a lot of trouble if you attempt to fly with kratom and enter a country or even state in the U.S. where it is illegal.
Generally, if you’re flying domestically within the U.S., you will be able to pack kratom in both your carry on and checked bags, though there are exceptions, and TSA regulations must be followed.
Let’s take a closer look at if you can fly with kratom or not and what these regulations are.
Kratom is generally sold as a powder, which the TSA have rules that passengers must follow.
The TSA state that while any powder-like substances can be packed in your carry on bags, including kratom, powder-like substances that are greater than 12 oz. must be placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening.
Brining Kratom in Your Checked Bag
If you want to bring kratom in an amount that is greater than 12 oz., you should pack it in your checked bag for convenience.
States Where Kratom is Illegal
Kratom is legal on a federal level – and as planes and airports operate under federal jurisdiction, this technically means that you can fly with kratom anywhere in the U.S.
However, kratom is banned in six states, so flying with kratom into the following states should be avoided, as it considered an illegal substance and you will face consequences if caught.
Alabama
Arkansas
Indiana
Rhode Island
Vermont
Wisconsin
Additionally, flying with kratom to the following locations in the U.S. should also be avoided, as its use is prohibited.
Oceanside, California
San Diego, California
Monument, Colorado
Parker, Colorado
Sarasota County, Florida
Alton, Illinois
Jerseyville, Illinois
Northern Mississippi
Union County, Mississippi
Franklin County, New Hampshire
Flying Internationally With Kratom
Kratom is considered an illegal substance in many countries around the world, so you should leave the kratom at home if you’re planning to fly to any one of the following 29 countries.
Australia
Brunei
Cambodia
Colombia
Denmark
Finland
Germany
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Laos
Latvia
Lithuania
Myanmar
Philippines
Poland
Romania
Russia
Saudi-Arabia
Singapore
South Korea
Sweden
Thailand
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Vietnam
How to Pack Kratom For Air Travel
As mentioned, the TSA state that you can pack powder-like substances in both your carry on and checked bags, including kratom, though it will need to be screened separately if it exceeds 12 oz.
To avoid delays and questions from the TSA, we recommend packing kratom in your checked bags for your convenience, regardless of how much or how little you are planning to fly with.
It would also be wise to leave kratom in its original packaging, so airport security personnel will know what it is.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
