Can You Buy Kratom in India? – India’s Kratom Laws

Kratom is known today as one of the most prolific herbal products on the western market. With the entire kratom industry estimated at approximately $1.8 billion USD, experts anticipate exponential growth for the coming years. But while kratom has become a household name in most parts of North America, it remains a foreign concept to the people of India.

There are close to zero discussions online about kratom in India, especially because the herb doesn’t grow native to their region. And with their existing laws that control and ban certain types of herbal and plant products, it’s easy to see why kratom has yet to penetrate one of the biggest markets in the world.

India’s Current Stance on Kratom as an Herbal Product

So, can you legally buy kratom in India?

The short answer is yes, kratom is not currently listed as a narcotic or psychotropic substance under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act). Neither Mitragyna speciosa nor its principal alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, appear in the NDPS schedules. So whether you use kratom to support your nighttime routines, improve concentration, or just boost your mood overall, India’s authorities won’t bat an eye.

This means kratom does not face the same federal prohibition that applies to substances such as cannabis, opium, or heroin under the NDPS. However, that does not mean importing kratom into India is as simple as ordering a package from an overseas vendor.

One of the most important pieces of legislation affecting kratom is India’s Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003.

In February 2026, India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare specifically amended the order to address Mitragyna speciosa, the scientific name for kratom. The amendment added an entry allowing dried kratom leaves for processing from Uganda, provided they are free from soil, quarantine weed seeds, and other plant debris.

This is significant because it shows that India does regulate the importation of kratom plant material, even though kratom itself is not prohibited under the NDPS Act. So, while kratom isn’t considered a controlled substance, India’s laws tackle the issue from a botanical standpoint. 

Microbes, bacteria, and other harmful contaminants existing on or in the plant matter is considered a threat to the country’s ecosystems, and thus importing botanical material of any kind can involve customs documentation, plant-quarantine requirements, permitted countries of origin, and conditions attached to the particular form and intended use of the product.

Can You Order Kratom Online in India?

Indian vendors do exist. Kratom.co.in, for example, identifies itself as a business of Kuber Impex Ltd. and lists an Indian address in Indore. Its catalog includes whole-leaf kratom powder in green, white, and red varieties, along with kratom extracts and standardized alkaloid products. The company describes itself primarily as a supplier to wholesalers, retailers, herbal brands, online stores, and other businesses, although its website also displays a range of kratom products.

So, although you probably shouldn’t pack your own kratom if you’re travelling to or through India, it doesn’t mean you can’t buy a stash while you’re there. Kratom shops do exist in the country, but these vendors pass through rigorous processes and documentation to get their product into the borders. For a civilian, doing the same just to get your stash past customs might be impractical, especially since you can just buy kratom when you get there.

Where to Buy Kratom in India

There are a few online vendors that sell kratom in India including Kuber Impex Ltd. and TradeIndia.com. These vendors are the ones that went through the hassle of submitting documents and going through processes to get permission from the government to import their kratom products.

While you might be able to find some kratom shops in person, they’re generally hard to come by. A lot of them don’t advertise online either, so there’s really no way to find them aside from word of mouth or by actually walking around and seeking them out.

It’s also worth remembering that because vendors in India don’t operate under the American Kratom Association, there’s no such thing as AKA-GMP compliance in the country. This adds a layer of complexity to the shopping process.

So if you’re looking for good kratom in India, make sure to consider:

• Lab testing. Vendors still submit their products to third party labs for heavy metals, microbes, and contaminants.
• Potency. Mitragynine content may be disclosed, depending on the testing standards of the specific vendor.
• Traceable sourcing. Most brands will explicitly indicate where they get their kratom from.
• Money-back guarantee. Ask about possible refunds and returns, in case you end up not liking what you get.
• Digital footprint. If you’re buying online, you can do some research to find out a vendor’s history and what others have to say about them.

Kratom’s Legal Status in India

Kratom isn’t explicitly banned or controlled in India, so there are no laws that can penalize you for using, owning, or buying the stuff as an herbal supplement while you’re there. What makes it a little more complicated is that India has laws that control the movement of plants and plant products that don’t naturally occur in the country.

So as an agricultural product, that might make kratom a questionable carry if you’re traveling into or through India. The best course of action would be to keep your stash at home and just shop for kratom once you get there. While they only have a handful of known kratom vendors in the country, these companies have gone through the hassle of getting their products approved so you can shop legally and worry-free.