Can I Travel With Kratom?

Kratom is a well-known botanical that is used for many different reasons within our Kratom community and customer base. Regardless of the reason that one decides to use kratom, it’s not surprising that many would want to take some of their favorite kratom products with them when traveling. Which begs the question, “Can I travel with Kratom?” At least 25 million adults across the U.S. have a fear of flying, around 2% to 3% of the population has a fear of water, and anxiousness when traveling by train is also more common than you would think.

All of these fears or sources of anxiety have one thing in common…they can be related to different modes of travel. The compounds found in kratom products can help those that suffer from anxiety to manage that anxiety and this is one of the many reasons behind its popularity.

Let’s talk about what you need to know when traveling with kratom before you plan your next trip.

Can You Take Kratom With You on a Plane?

In short, the answer is yes, you can travel with kratom when you fly. There are technically no federal laws associated with traveling with kratom by air. While there is no federal rule related to traveling with kratom by plane, you do want to keep in mind that there are at least six states where kratom is not legal. This involves selling, buying, possessing, or consuming any kratom products.

When you travel, by any means, you want to keep this in mind because different states and even different countries have yet to legalize kratom. With this, you want to be aware of your travel destinations, your layover locations, and whether you are taking national or international flights. There are currently no rules or regulations for specific airports or airlines in terms of kratom use, so it’s best to follow general airline standards when you buy kratom online and when packing your kratom products in terms of the amount that you decide to travel with.

Read: Why Is Lab-Testing Important

How Does Kratom Use Work When You’re Planning a Cruise?

Regardless of the time of year, a cruise is always a good option for a quick or extended getaway. For those that use kratom products, especially those that have come up with a daily regimen, leaving it behind might not be an idea that you want to entertain. Unfortunately, in some cases, you might have to.

Whether you can bring kratom with you will depend on location and this means you’ll have to pay particular attention to the port that you depart from and even the stops along the way. The U.S. in general is kratom-friendly, or at least more than some other countries. What this means is that you could technically pack and travel with kratom during a domestic cruise.

Most of the time, domestic cruises will depart from port locations such as Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Charleston, or Miami. Luckily, the six states where kratom is banned don’t consist of popular cruise ports unless you’re planning a local dinner cruise or departure, specifically for sightseeing in one of these areas. Those states are:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Wisconsin
• Vermont
• Indiana
• Rhode Island

Some domestic cruises will consist of locations such as the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, and Alaska. These types of cruises are considered “closed-loop” cruises which simply means that the cruise is traveling within the western hemisphere and ends at the same port where it began. While these are technically considered domestic trips, you want to be mindful of a few specifics.

Be Mindful…

You should be aware that regardless of your destination, ALL major cruise lines fly under foreign flags. What this means and why it’s important is that due to this, a cruise line’s itinerary that starts and ends within the U.S. will be required to make a foreign port of call. Because of the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA), any cruise line departing from a U.S. port, regardless of their destination, will always be required to stop at a foreign port and for many cruise ships, this means a stop in Canada.

For example, if you are taking an Alaskan cruise, the only choice the cruise line will have is to stop at a port in Canada. For any other cruise, a stop at a foreign port is simply the law and without complying, the cruise line will face penalties. For kratom users that are also cruise-goers, you should be aware of the guidelines in Canada since this may be one of your stops before returning home.

Kratom is “legal” in Canada but not for human consumption. This means that if you are ingesting kratom while docked in Canada, it’s technically not legal. In this particular country, it’s only used for aromatherapy or research purposes. This does, however, leave wiggle room for you to justify bringing kratom products onto your cruise if you decide to use it via either inhalation or even a topical method for skin absorption.

Read: 5 Common Misconceptions of Kratom

There Are Some Misconceptions to Be Aware Of

Additionally, there is a common misconception about kratom and traveling. While the Caribbean is considered to be a domestic cruise location, people often assume that the Bahamas will be included in this. The Bahamas are less than 348 miles away from the Caribbean or, 301 nautical miles and while seemingly close, this destination is still considered to be international. While the Bahamas is made up of more than 700 different islands, this also does not matter.

Thankfully though, there are no legal documents mentioning kratom or penalties associated with kratom use in either of these places. However, if you are taking a cruise to different countries where it is considered legal, this doesn’t specifically mean that all amounts of it are legal and this is something to look out for.

The same goes for any international cruise, especially those heading to Europe where most European countries have banned this popular botanical. If you are traveling to Israel or even Australia, kratom powder and other products are completely banned in these countries. Overall, you want to be very aware of where kratom is and isn’t legal and if it is, what routes of use are allowed.

Here’s What to Consider When You Use Kratom and Travel

The rules concerning kratom use and travel can seem intimidating but they are quite simple. You’ll want to consider the basics such as;

• Depending on the flag your cruise ship is flying, you shouldn’t bring kratom at all (in a country where it is banned completely)
• Cruise lines will always comply with the country’s laws that are associated with the flag that they are flying and there are no exceptions to this
• Closed loop cruises are usually “green spaces” for kratom use (continue to be aware of all ports where you stop)
• Most domestic flights are fine to pack kratom however, international flights present a bit more gray area
• Always put your kratom in your checked luggage rather than a carry-on bag to avoid any problems

As long as you abide by these simple rules, you shouldn’t run into any problems. When packing for air travel, as we mentioned, checked baggage is usually the best way to go. You can, however, take kratom in a carry-on bag but it shouldn’t be more than 12 oz and this is a TSA advisement although TSA does not actually screen for kratom specifically.

If you plan to take kratom products with you and you aren’t used to dosing or measuring your kratom, it’s best to stay away from carrying it directly onto a plane. It’s also important to be aware that while kratom is technically only illegal in six states, its use is prohibited across certain cities in the U.S. as well. This means that if you are traveling to a state where it is legal, you should still be aware of the cities where you travel. For example, a few cities where kratom use is prohibited are:

• San Diego, California
• Sarasota County, Florida
• Alton, Illinois
• Franklin County, Mississippi

Kratom is prohibited in other areas of California, Colorado, Mississippi, and Illinois aside from those mentioned above so it would be in your best interest to do some research ahead of time to see which states and cities have Kratom ruled on before traveling to certain destinations.

The Top Do’s and Don’ts

Like with anything there are some general rules that you should always be aware of before any travel. While it may seem odd, there are some cities or states where kratom might only be allowed for people of a certain age or certain amounts in your physical possession might be limited by law. To stay ahead of any travel obstacles if you are planning to bring kratom with you, there are a few main do’s and don’ts.

Read: Why Everyone Has Unique Experiences with Kratom

Do: Always Do Research Before Travel

Research is key to avoiding problems associated with kratom while you travel. For example, Georgia has not made kratom illegal but it is a state where kratom is illegal for people under the age of 18. With this, for example, you want to consider that if anyone under 18 consumes or buys kratom or if someone sells or buys kratoms for someone under 18, they could have to pay a $1,000 fine.

This could also result in a year of jail time. In some cases, the penalty could be a fine and jail time combined. Every state has its own rules and this is important to be aware of before you buy kratom online.

Be Prepared to Throw It Away if Instructed to Do So

Once you safely buy kratom online, a good rule of thumb to go by is to not bring your entire kratom stash with you on a trip. You never know where you might end up or what policies could change during travel so you will need to ensure that you are prepared to throw kratom away if this type of situation ever arises. Carrying a small amount with you will reduce the chances of you wasting product and money if you run into a situation where this would be required.

Don’t: Intentionally Hide Your Kratom Products

This might go without saying but intentionally hiding your kratom products is never a good idea as it presents the perception that you are knowingly bringing it to areas where it isn’t allowed….if you end up in areas where kratom is prohibited. The best thing to do is to pack kratom as you would anything else and if you run into any issues or questions from any security whether on or off of a cruise ship or in or out of an airport, be honest and ask your own questions if needed.

Intentionally Travel to Areas Where the Botanical Is Banned

Penalties for using kratom in prohibited areas, cities, states, or countries may have varying penalties. This could be anything from a fine or time in jail. This further exemplifies the importance of doing research ahead of time. Also, never lie about whether you have kratom in your possession if asked as this will raise suspicion if you do end up in an area where it is considered to be illegal.

It Can Be Done

Kratom is used and enjoyed by many and it makes sense to want to travel with it. While you may be preparing for your next trip, consider everything that comes with kratom and travel. This is not to say that you shouldn’t do it, this is to say that you absolutely can but within reason for some areas. So, be aware, be educated, and be prepared before any travel that you plan to do.

After doing your research, buy kratom online from a reputable supplier to enhance the time that you have on your trip…if you’re allowed to bring it.