Status Indicators
- BANNED for sale, supply, and import under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016
- Applies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
- Personal possession without supply intent technically not criminalized
- Importation by any means illegal
- UK Border Force seizes kratom shipments
At a Glance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | Banned (under PSA 2016) |
| Age Limit | N/A |
| Regulated | No |
| Controlled Substance | No (PSA 2016 framework, not Misuse of Drugs Act) |
| Last Policy Change | PSA 2016 enactment |
National Legal Framework
The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 prohibits the production, supply, offer to supply, possession with intent to supply, import, and export of any substance with psychoactive effect not on the exempt list. Kratom is not exempt. Penalties include up to 7 years imprisonment and unlimited fines for supply offenses. The PSA 2016 was enacted to address the rise of “legal highs” without requiring individual scheduling under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Regional Variations
The PSA 2016 applies across all four UK constituent countries: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is covered separately on this site but its legal status is identical.
Import/Export Rules
Importation is illegal. UK Border Force routinely seizes kratom shipments. Personal-quantity orders from US or European vendors are subject to customs seizure.
Penalties
Supply, production, importation: up to 7 years imprisonment and unlimited fines. Possession with intent to supply: same penalty range. Simple possession without supply intent: not specifically criminalized under the PSA 2016 but the imported product itself was unlawfully imported.
Buying & Shipping to the UK
Do not ship kratom to UK addresses. UK Border Force seizes shipments. Reputable vendors block UK destinations at checkout.
—
Q: Is kratom legal in the UK?
A: No. Kratom is banned for sale, supply, and import under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
Q: Can I import kratom for personal use?
A: No. Importation is illegal regardless of intent. UK Border Force will seize shipments.
Q: Are personal possession charges brought?
A: Personal possession without intent to supply is not specifically criminalized under the PSA 2016. However, the product itself would have been illegally imported, exposing the holder to risk in some circumstances.
Q: What are the penalties for kratom supply in the UK?
A: Up to 7 years imprisonment and unlimited fines.
Q: Can I drive through the UK with kratom?
A: Bringing kratom into the UK is illegal. Travelers should not transit the UK with kratom.
Q: Does the PSA 2016 apply to all UK countries?
A: Yes. The PSA 2016 applies in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Sources
- www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/2/contents/enacted, UK Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 official text
- worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/kratom-legality-by-country, World Population Review 2026 Kratom Legality by Country, confirms UK banned status
- www.kratomit.eu/kratom-legality-where-is-kratom-legal-and-where-is-it-not/, Kratomit.eu international kratom legality summary including UK PSA 2016 framework
- eka.eu/about-kratom/kratom-legality/, European Kratom Association legality tracker
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitragyna_speciosa, Mitragyna speciosa Wikipedia entry confirming UK PSA 2016 status
- www.kratomscience.eu/kratom-legality/, Kratom Science Europe UK legal status
- www.eukratom.com/blog/is-kratom-legal-in-europe/, EUKRATOM UK kratom legal overview
