Traveling to Latin America and the Caribbean with Kratom: What You Need to Know

One of the frequently asked questions among kratom users pertains to whether they can safely and freely travel with the herb. 

Well, there’s no definitive answer to that question, as it depends on various factors. 

However, this article will attempt to demystify certain gray areas regarding traveling with kratom. The post shall focus on whether you can bring this medicinal herb on a flight. 

What Is Kratom?

Kratom, botanically known as Mitragyna speciosa, is a famous therapeutic plant from Southeast Asia. 

Although relatively new in the West, kratom has long dominated alternative health discussions elsewhere around the world due to its numerous healing properties. Some of the herb’s therapeutic benefits include its ability to uplift the mood, stimulate mental focus, and induce relaxation. 

Besides its diverse medical applications, another thing that endears many people to kratom is that there are dozens of strains to experiment with. The strains are indigenous to specific Southeast Asian areas, and each delivers distinct effects. 

Noteworthy kratom strains include white Borneo, green Indo, and red Bali.

Red Bali kratom is outstanding for its broad-spectrum effects. While mostly calming, this strain may stimulate energy and uplift moods. 

Red Bali’s doses primarily determine its net effects. The strain is energizing when consumed in low-to-moderate amounts but relaxing at higher doses. 

Can You Bring Kratom On A Flight?

Due to its perceived health benefits, it’s intuitive to imagine that you can freely fly with kratom to any destination. However, there’s a complex legal and logistical maze to navigate before deciding to bring kratom on a plane. 

First, you’ll need to understand what the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) commonly screens for. According to its website, the agency typically focuses on items that may jeopardize passenger safety, such as firearms and explosives. 

The TSA rarely screens for drugs and herbal supplements. But that’s not to say its officials will look the other way if they nab you with suspicious amounts of an illegal substance. 

TSA’s Screening Regulations Concerning Kratom

The TSA allows significant amounts of medically required substances, including kratom, in carry-on luggage and checked bags. Travelers can bring their medications in different formulations, from liquid tinctures to aerosols and gels. As mentioned, the agency focuses its screening efforts on weapons and explosives. 

However, it’s prudent to take certain proactive measures when planning to travel with kratom. 

First, be sure to declare your baggage at the security desk. This will allay any suspicion that you could be carrying an illegal substance. 

You also want to mind your kratom packaging before bringing the herb on a plane. 

While the TSA accepts medicinal products in diverse formulations, you don’t want to be caught with, say, kratom pre-rolls or vape juices. Such paraphernalia are associated with severely restricted substances, like marijuana. Possessing them might have you subjected to more rigorous checks. 

Finally, do not travel with large stashes of kratom. 

Effective June 30, 2018, anyone traveling from an international last point of departure to the United States with a powdery substance greater than 350mL in a carry-on bag is subject to additional screening. Further, powder-based products over 350mL that cannot be resolved at the checkpoint will be disposed of. 

Keep these in mind when planning to fly with powdered kratom, which happens to be one of kratom’s most popular formulations. 

Traveling with large volumes of kratom creates the impression that you’re a distributor, not the consumer. Instead, only have amounts that can last you during the flight. You can always replenish when you get to your destination. 

Traveling With Kratom Nationally versus Overseas

Kratom laws vary from one state to another. 

Even if you’re traveling from a state where kratom is legal, it’s important to understand the laws in your destinations before bringing the herb on a flight. 

States like Alabama, Arkansas, Vermont, Tennessee, and Wisconsin maintain outright bans on kratom. The rest have varying regulations that touch on several aspects, such as proper packaging, the potency of 7-hydroxy mitragynine in a product, and the minimum age of buyers. 

Kratom laws vary internationally as well. 

In Canada, kratom is legal in formulations besides consumables. However, the herb is illegal in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Malaysia. 

Many other countries maintain fuzzy kratom laws, making it all the more necessary to establish kratom regulations in your flight destinations. 

Sourcing Kratom Abroad

Buying kratom abroad is a convenient alternative to traveling with large amounts of the herb. 

However, it’s important to reiterate the significance of sourcing kratom from a reputed vendor. That’s especially if you’re ordering from a state or country with no substantive kratom laws. 

Thanks to kratom’s widening legal landscape, the industry has attracted a significant number of vendors. Traveling users have more freedom when buying from local or overseas suppliers. 

However, due diligence is paramount when scouting for a kratom retailer. The thumb rule is to prioritize companies that have been in business for at least five years. 

It’s also prudent to read online reviews for insights into a brand’s reputation. Strive to establish the various aspects of the vendor’s products and services that most reviewers give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down. 

So, Can You Bring Kratom On A Flight? 

It’s possible to fly with kratom, provided that local laws legalize the herb. The TSA typically doesn’t concern itself much with kratom products. However, certain additional measures are necessary to fly safely with kratom, including traveling with smaller quantities and packaging your stash judiciously.

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