Kratom has been very popular throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. Unfortunately, this has also brought a lot of legal attention to this natural substance. For many years, kratom users in the UK could easily find a wide array of kratom strains in person and online.
Select countries were able to rely on a variety of kratom vendors that ship to the UK. That all changed a few years ago when an influx in negative media attention shone an undesirable spotlight on the Mitragyna speciosa herb and its alkaloids.
Find out what led to recent changes in UK kratom legality and what you need to know about buying kratom near you. The following guide will reveal current legal restrictions on kratom possession. We will also break down the options available to you in the wake of these new regulations.
Kratom was a little-known legal substance in the United Kingdom until the UK kratom ban of 2016. The passing of the UK Psychoactive Substances Act of 2016 changed all this, both for curious parties who wouldn’t have otherwise learned of the herb and, more importantly, for those who relied on kratom.
The Psychoactive Substances Act of 2016 was the result of widespread scrutiny. In 2015, the BBC reported on the preponderance of local council members from England and Wales who had urged the government to outlaw the herb. The LGA (Local Government Association) claimed that then-current laws were ill-equipped to deal with kratom-related deaths.
Curiously, 2015 also saw the publication of the National Record of Scotland’s Drug-related Deaths in Scotland in 2015, which consisted solely of statistics of drug-related deaths occurring earlier in the year. According to this report, there were 706 drug-related deaths in 2015.
Many drugs are mentioned in the literature, such as cocaine, diazepam, heroin, and methadone. Kratom, however, is never mentioned in relation to any of these statistics. In fact, the majority of these cases are purported to be the result of prescription overdose or street drug abuse, which may be attributed to co-morbidity among those with psychological disorders.
As of 2016, kratom has been labeled a Psychoactive Substance in the UK. However, some legal sources report that UK kratom legality is murky at best, which means there’s still the potential for a judge to interpret the law in various ways. At the present time, it is considered illegal to sell, import, or export kratom into the UK. Interestingly, though, simple possession is not illegal.
Possession with intent to supply is a crime punishable by up to seven years in a prison or gaol. However, this threat does not seem to affect everyone equally. Kratom is regarded as legal in the UK, so long as those in possession of the herb do not intend to supply it commercially.
Kratom does not occur naturally in the United Kingdom; it is native to Southeast Asia. Therefore, anyone in possession of kratom has broken the law to obtain it. But if you have a friend who has a friend who gave them some kratom, you’re free and clear to share it with them.
What does all of this mean for kratom shoppers in the UK? We always advise that our readers follow the laws governing their country, county, state, and/or city. Failure to do so could get you into a lot of legal trouble, including the possibility of jail time.
Despite the legal risk, there are still some companies that are willing to ship kratom to the UK. Be aware that if you choose to buy anything from these businesses, you run the risk of customs destroying your order. Refunds are not typically offered in these cases. You’ll also be putting yourself at risk of violating the anti-exporting law.
We don’t encourage or condone any illegal activity, nor do we claim to be experts on UK kratom legality. This list is provided purely for informational purposes and is subject to change at any time. Our research indicates that these are the top vendors shipping kratom to UK at the moment.
Gopure.shop is the talk of the town right now thanks to their free kratom same-day shipping to most countries across Europe. This Netherlands-based kratom supplier offers everything we look for in a trusted international seller, including kratom samples, a secure checkout, multiple carriers, and more.
This supplier gives you discreet packaging, kratom coupon codes, a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and a multitude of ways to get in touch. This includes social media accounts, live chat, or email support. Additionally, you can subscribe to its newsletter for regular site updates and special deals.
The GoPure catalog includes regular kratom as well as specialty strains. Astonishingly, its Stem & Vein and Private Reserve Kratom are both cheaper than its plain leaf kratom powder. You can get everything from Golden Buddha Kratom to White Lombok, with prices starting as low as €13.75 for 50 grams.
This e-commerce site is quite possibly the longest-lasting kratom business online today. First established in 2001, Kratom.co.uk is your source for exotic strains, such as Jeruk Kratom and White Sunda. Working with a sustainable network of plantations in Southeast Asia, Kratom.co.uk provides patrons with the freshest product around.
While it lacks some of the perks of GoPure, such as a satisfaction guarantee or myriad shipping options, Kratom.co.uk delivers some of the deepest discounts in Europe. Prices start at £6.99 for an ounce of powder, with a kratom kilo going for just £164.99.
Few e-commerce sites can compete with the aforementioned sellers for affordability, variety, or overall quality. That being said, there are some solid choices right at your fingertips. If you’re looking to shop around, you may want to consider one of these fine online brands:
Each of these vendors has their own strengths and weaknesses. For example, Kraatje is said to be the most consistent, but its prices can be lofty. Its shipping methods may also be nerve-racking.
Kratom Bird is said to be a rising star on the international scene, but it lacks credentials. It claims to offer fast worldwide shipping, but we were unable to find customer reviews that would corroborate this. What’s more, Kratom Bird goes on holiday, leaving patrons in the lurch.
Finally, Thom Thom Sweden is highly rated, but recent batches have left something to be desired. One Reddit member said, “I received an order from Thomthom and got stuff from Kraaje the day before. The quality of kraatje was not brilliant, but the quality from thomthom even worse, I tried 2 strains.”
As previously mentioned, the online kratom vendors listed above could decide to stop shipping to the UK at any point. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to read a site’s FAQ page to determine if they ship to the United Kingdom. Note: the Golden Monk takes no responsibility for any readers who purchase kratom illegally.
