Regulatory guidance, licensing support, export compliance,
and logistics for Thailand-based Kratom operators
and international buyers sourcing from Southeast Asia.
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia, with deep roots in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the surrounding region. Traditionally used for centuries across Southeast Asia for its stimulant and analgesic properties, Kratom has emerged as a significant global herbal commodity — driven primarily by demand from the United States, where an estimated 15 million consumers use Kratom products. It is also gaining traction in parts of Europe and other regulated markets. Kratom contains active alkaloids including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which interact with opioid receptors and are increasingly studied for their potential applications in pain management and opioid withdrawal support.
The global Kratom trade is dominated by two legal exporters — Indonesia and Thailand — with Indonesia currently supplying an estimated 95% of US Kratom imports. Indonesia's West Kalimantan region, particularly Kapuas Hulu Regency, is the world's largest production hub, with annual export volumes estimated between 400 and 500 tons. In 2024 and 2025, Indonesia implemented new export regulations under Minister of Trade Regulation No. 21 of 2024, restricting exports to finely processed powder only and banning the export of raw leaves and crushed leaf formats. In February 2025, Indonesia completed its first formal export shipment under the new framework — 351 tons valued at approximately USD 1.05 million — shipped to the United States and Europe.
Thailand, having legalized Kratom under the Kratom Plant Act B.E. 2565 in 2022, is now establishing itself as the second legal exporting nation. Thai Kratom is increasingly recognized for its quality and traceability — advantages that are becoming more commercially significant as Indonesian export regulations tighten and global buyers seek diversified, compliant supply chains.
The primary import market is the United States, where Kratom is legal at the federal level and permitted in most states. Additional markets accepting regulated Kratom imports include parts of Europe — notably Germany, Czech Republic, and other markets where Kratom remains unregulated or legally accessible — as well as Australia and New Zealand for limited personal imports. Kratom remains prohibited in the UK, Denmark, Sweden, and Poland, and buyers must verify the legal status in their destination market before importing.
Commercial export of Kratom leaves requires a license from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) under the Ministry of Justice. Licenses are valid for five years, cost THB 5,000 per application, and are renewable. Eligible applicants include Thai nationals over 20 years of age, Thai-registered companies, community enterprises, and government agencies.
Even after obtaining an export license, each individual shipment must be pre-cleared through the ONCB's National Single Window system. A notification form must be submitted at least seven business days before the intended export date, including quantity, lot numbers, port of exit, and vessel or flight details. The ONCB then issues a notification receipt code used by customs to validate clearance.
Powdered Kratom leaves intended as a raw material must contain a minimum of 1% mitragynine by mass. For food supplements and herbal products, the Thai FDA updated maximum daily mitragynine intake guidelines to 3mg per day in 2025. Manufacturing facilities must comply with GMP standards under Ministry of Public Health Announcement No. 420.
Kratom sold as a food, beverage, tea, or supplement requires a Thai FDA product license. All products must carry compliant labeling including warnings against continuous use beyond seven days and against combining with alcohol.
DeeMED manages the full ONCB export license application process for Thai Kratom operators — including eligibility assessment, documentation preparation, application submission, and follow-up through to license issuance.
For every export shipment, DeeMED handles the pre-shipment notification process through the ONCB National Single Window system, ensuring the required seven-business-day lead time is met and the notification receipt code is obtained before customs clearance.
For operators manufacturing Kratom teas, supplements, herbal products, or food and beverage applications, DeeMED provides full Thai FDA product registration support — including dossier preparation, GMP compliance guidance, labeling compliance, and submission management.
For international buyers seeking compliant Thai Kratom suppliers, DeeMED identifies, vets, and introduces qualified Thai operators with verified licensing, quality testing documentation, and export-ready supply chains.
Complete export documentation management including commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, certificates of analysis, customs declarations, and all ONCB-required documentation for each shipment.
Door-to-door freight coordination by air and sea through our global freight partner operating across more than 50 countries. We manage the full logistics process from Thai customs clearance to destination delivery, with particular attention to the documentation requirements of US Customs and Border Protection and FDA import review procedures.
For operators considering entering the Kratom trade from either the supply or buyer side, DeeMED provides regulatory landscape analysis, destination market legal status assessments, and strategic guidance on building a compliant and commercially viable Kratom trade operation.
Kratom's legal status varies significantly by country and in some cases by state or region. The United States FDA maintains Import Alert 54-15, which authorizes detention of Kratom shipments without physical examination in certain circumstances. Buyers must verify the legal status of Kratom in their destination market and ensure all import documentation meets the requirements of their local regulatory authority before placing orders. DeeMED provides destination market legal status guidance as part of our advisory services.
