No. Kratom is classified as a controlled substance in China, prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Law (revised 2021). The National Narcotics Control Commission enforces strict bans, treating it alongside heroin and cocaine, with penalties including imprisonment for possession or trafficking.
Key Regulations for Kratom in China
- Prohibition Status: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is listed in the Catalogue of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (2021 edition), explicitly banned for production, sale, or use.
- Enforcement Agencies: The Ministry of Public Security and State Food and Drug Administration conduct raids on illegal kratom operations, particularly in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces near Southeast Asian borders.
- Penalties: Violations trigger Article 347 of the Criminal Law, mandating 3–15 years imprisonment for trafficking, with life sentences for large-scale operations. Importation risks confiscation under Customs Law provisions.
Recent 2026 compliance shifts emphasize stricter digital surveillance of kratom-related e-commerce, aligning with China’s Cybersecurity Law to curb online sales. Foreign entities distributing kratom face immediate deportation and corporate blacklisting under Foreign Investment Law amendments.