Anyone ordering kratom wants to know where they stand. The legal side is less dramatic than it sounds, but it is worth understanding, certainly if you plan to cross a border. We keep it factual and current as far as we can, because with kratom in particular the situation can shift.
Where things stand in the Netherlands
At the time of writing, kratom is not listed under the Dutch Opium Act and is freely available to adults. It therefore falls into the same category as other legal smartshop products. For neutral, up to date public information on this, see the Trimbos Institute and Drugs Info. We sell only what is legally permitted, and only to people aged 18 and over.
Why that could change
At the European level, kratom comes up on the agenda with some regularity. Bodies such as the EU Drugs Agency monitor the substance, and various countries have taken steps in recent years. So it is quite possible that the rules will be tightened in the future. That is no reason to panic, but it is a reason to follow reliable sources rather than rumours.
How other countries handle it
The picture across Europe is far from uniform. In some countries kratom is simply allowed, in others it is restricted or banned. A handy overview of the legal status by country can be found on Wikipedia on the legal status of kratom. Never assume that what is allowed in the Netherlands is also allowed across the border.
What this means for ordering and travelling
Ordering within the Netherlands is straightforward. But if you want to take kratom abroad, look into the rules of that specific country first. We wrote a separate piece on these kinds of pitfalls in travelling across borders with smartshop products. When in doubt, leave it at home: a nice holiday is not worth a detained parcel.
Buying responsibly while it is allowed
As long as kratom is legal, the best attitude is to handle it sensibly. Buy from a reliable source, as explained in buying kratom, what to look out for, keep it to now and then rather than daily, and read learning to use kratom safely. Our kratom category has deliberately been kept small and easy to navigate.
Looking around more broadly
If you want to weigh up range and information from more than one angle, then alongside us you can also take a look at a large European smartshop such as Zamnesia. A well informed customer is what we like best, even if that means looking around elsewhere for a moment.
This article is informational, does not provide legal advice, and describes the situation at the time of writing. Always check the current rules.