Travel with Kratom is completely legal within much of the US and for many international flights. Kratom isn’t regulated by the FDA, so it is federally legal in the United States. However, there are some restrictions and regulations set by local municipalities, states, and some countries which may mean you can’t bring your Kratom there. While in most cases it’s fine to bring Kratom on a plane, there are considerations to be mindful of, so today we’re going over what you need to know to fly with Kratom Capsules, Kratom Powders, and more.
Is it Legal to Fly with Kratom Products?
You can travel with your Kratom to most places but you need to ensure that Kratom is legal where you are going. It’s kind of like traveling with alcohol or medications – it just takes some preparation to do it safely and by the rules. Since Kratom is relatively unknown to some people, your baggie of powders may cause a stir at the airport baggage check, when all you want is fast, efficient, comfortable, and drama-free travel. Here’s how to do that.
1. Make sure Kratom is legal to buy, carry, or use in the places where you are going.
The first step to traveling with your Kratom products is to make sure that Kratom is legal in the areas to which you will travel, pass through, or stay.
- The country
- The state
- The town or municipality
Unregulated supplements like Kratom can have inconsistent regulations set in place that may be sequestered to a small municipality, or the state or country has a ban on Kratom or its derivatives. For example, Kratom is legal in Florida, but Sarasota County has a ban. So, step one for Kratom travel is to check your itinerary, and then check for legal bans on Kratom.
Check Legal Status of Kratom
Before you travel, research the legality of Kratom for destinations in your travel itinerary using good ‘ol Google, and these helpful resources:
- Is Kratom Legal Where I Live?
- American Kratom Association: Kratom State Legality and Legislation
- Congress Kratom Regulation: Federal Status and State Approaches
- Sprout Health Group has a good overview of some places where you may not be able to take Kratom (or buy it.)
2. Play by the airport rules!
Airports have fairly intense security screening procedures for which we should all be grateful. Yes, it’s something we all complain about, but these procedures protect US citizens from illegal threats or domestic dangers associated with what people bring on their travels. Many of these rules are aimed at keeping drugs from being brought in via a checked bag, carry-on, or on your person.
Needless to say, if you show up with a clear baggie full of powdered, unmarked substance – you might find yourself spending a few hours explaining yourself to airport security personnel. Understand that many people are not familiar with Kratom, what it is, or what it looks like. And TSA agents have a lot of discretion when screening your bags.
So, before you pack Kratom in your carry-on, check the airport and airline regulations for travel.
Plane Travel with Kratom Domestically
Kratom is legal to carry on domestic flights in the US, as long as the packages adhere to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations for the type of product you intend to carry:
- Powdered substances
- Liquids or tinctures
- Pills, tablets, capsules
- Food items like gummies or candies
Bringing Kratom on an International Flight
It does not matter if Kratom is legal where you purchased it or where you live but Kratom in your destination country must be legal. Flying internationally with any type of Kratom you want depends wholly on any legal restrictions that the country you travel to may have in place. This is especially difficult if you are traveling through neighboring countries and have an unexpected layover in a country where Kratom is not legal.
Review the TSA international flight travel checklist for helpful travel instructions. Review Kratom Legality by Country to be sure it’s ok to travel to your destination with Kratom supplies on your person, in your purse, or in your travel bags. If Kratom is illegal in your destination country, your Kratom is subject to seizure and you may be subject to international law repercussions. If you travel to a country with a strict ban on Kratom, it’s better to be safe than sorry and leave your Kratom at home.
Note: It’s not a bad thing to skip doses sometimes with Kratom, even for a few days. This can be helpful on your wellness journey because this may help to reset your body’s tolerance to the substance. Learn more about Kratom tolerance and how to avoid it.
Bring Kratom on a Plane – Carry-On Luggage or Checked Bag?
You might want to bring Kratom in your carry-on rather than packing Kratom in your checked luggage. Kratom alkaloids can deteriorate and weaken if they are exposed to excess heat or sunshine. Plus, you can rest assured the bag of Kratom in your carry-on is far less likely to be exposed to mold, mildew, or other contaminants that could ruin your Kratom. It’s also recommended to store Kratom out of the reach of children or animals. This is much easier to oversee if your products are in a bag that stays with you.
Pack Kratom right & be calm!
Check with the American Aviation Association’s “Pack Safe” recommendations. When using the TSA website, simply typing “Kratom” into the search bar yields no results. There are no Kratom-specific guidelines. For this circumstance, TSA lists their contact information so that you can ask your questions directly.
TSA Contact Information
For items not listed here, our AskTSA team looks forward to answering your questions 365 days a year; live assistance is available from 8 am – 6 pm (ET).
- Twitter: @AskTSA
- Facebook Messenger: www.fb.com/AskTSA
- Apple Business Chat: AskTSA
- Text Message: Text “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872)
We also have some Kratom-specific pack and travel tips pertaining to each of the types of Kratom we carry here at Kats Botanicals. This advice may help you when traveling with any form of natural substance like Kratom – like Kava or CBD.
Travel with Kratom Powders
It’s best to keep Kratom in its original packaging so it is easily identified at a security checkpoint. When dealing with TSA it’s important to be respectful, answer any questions, and refer to their own guidelines regarding travel with powdered nutritional supplements like Kratom powder products. While Kratom, itself, isn’t listed on the TSA guidelines, this is:
- Carry On Bags: Yes
- Checked Bags: Yes
Powder-like substances greater than 12 oz. / 350 mL must be placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening. They may require additional screening and containers may need to be opened. For your convenience, we encourage you to place non-essential powders greater than 12 oz. in checked bags. Let’s take a look at product-type rules regarding carry-on bags of Kratom Gummies, bottles of Kratom liquid, or Kratom Capsules.
Travel with Kratom Gummies
If you want to carry Kratom Gummies, the best place is in your carry-on bag which will stay with you in a temperature-controlled environment on the plane. Keep Kratom Gummies in their original packaging. As with vitamins, the TSA regulations allow the TSA agent to have the final say.
Kats Botanicals‘ Kratom Gummies are well-labeled for travel, but some do contain extracts of Mitragynine or 7-Hydroxymitragynine This is important to know because some areas ban Kratom extracts or synthetic versions of the alkaloids, specifically.
Travel with Kratom Liquid Extracts
Keep liquid Kratom supplements to less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml. Keep liquid Kratom in the original, well-labeled packaging and place the bottle(s) inside of a sealed, clear, plastic bag for travel. Place this in your carry-on bag. Many liquid Kratom Shots are made with extracted Kratom alkaloids to increase the potency of the product. Be sure to check for legal restrictions on Kratom extracts which are made with extracted Kratom alkaloids Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine, both of which are restricted in some areas.
A good example of this is Virginia, which stipulates “Kratom” in its Kratom laws includes “any part of the leaf of the plant Mitragyna speciosa or any extract thereof” which would include the Kratom Shots. Virginia law states that Kratom (as we just defined it) is only legal for those over 21 years of age. Another good example is Tennessee. While Kratom in its “natural form” is legal in Tennessee, they have outlawed “any Kratom products, including capsules, pills, and extracts that contain synthetic form or chemically modified Mitragynine or 7-Hydroxymitragynine.”
Note: ZERO of Kats Botanicals’ Kratom products have synthetic alkaloids. We do not tamper with nature’s perfect alkaloids! However, we do produce some very popular enhanced lines, which are bolstered with more of the Mitragynine and other alkaloids that give Kratom its effects. Learn more about natural Kratom + extra alkaloid strength here: Enhanced Kratom.
Liquid Kratom Extracts Below 3.4 oz
- Intense MIT (.5 oz)
- Special Reserve Mocha or Orange (2 oz each)
- Bali 45 (.51 oz)
Travel with Kratom Capsules
Kratom Capsules are most likely to appear to be vitamins or nutritional supplements, but even this can be questioned by TSA. In fact, the TSA website says regarding travel with vitamins: The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint. The guidelines for medications on flight are categorized as “medically necessary” which isn’t likely to apply to Kratom use, which is a personal choice and not prescriptive.
Our best advice here is to travel with the smallest bottle of capsules available in your favorite Kratom strain and keep the product in its original packaging. If asked, explain that it is a nutritional supplement and understand that if they confiscate your product, you may have to buy more when you land.
Additional Tips for Plane Travel with Kratom
Pack a COA
Another suggestion is to print out the Certificate of Analysis of your product and store the bottle or container + the printout in a see-through, Ziploc baggie so the TSA agent can easily see what you have, and what’s in the product. Reputable Kratom vendors like Kats Botanicals are happy to supply you with a COA of your product.
Taking Kratom Doses While Traveling
Naturally, you’ll probably want to consume Kratom while traveling. Consuming Kratom in the US requires the same knowledge of where it’s ok, and if you need to be of a certain age to “partake” of the supplemental substance.
But if you’re a regular, dedicated Kratom user, getting in your regular Kratom doses is nonnegotiable.
- There’s no reason to feel uncomfortable about taking your Kratom dose in public. You aren’t doing anything wrong. Kratom is a natural supplement that millions of people use!
- As long as Kratom is legal where you are, take your dose confidently. You’ve packed, planned, and been thoughtful about traveling with Kratom. So, grab your airport coffee to potentiate your Kratom experience and relax through your travels.
- Mixing powdered substances like Kratom can be tricky mid-flight. Consider Kratom Capsules while traveling to make dosing easier and more convenient.
Learn more about the benefits of Kratom while traveling or tackling a hectic schedule on your travels. Use the Kratom Dosage Chart if you need to switch from your regular Kratom type to another, so you can get the dosage conversion correct.
For More Information About Kratom & Travel
Traveling is stressful and Kratom is helpful for many people as a support for their motivation and comfort. But before transporting Kratom on a flight, do your due diligence in making sure you do it properly and legally. As of 2024, you can fly with Kratom legally, as long as the place you’re taking Kratom to allows it.
For more information on how to use Kratom while you travel to help support your comfort, visit our Kratom Guidebook, which covers all things Kratom!
