Regulation of online sale of kratom in Czech Republic and EU
Regulation of online sale of kratom in Czech Republic and EU
Purchase of kratom on the internet underwent its biggest change in 2025. If you were used to ordering Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) as a common collectible item, new legislation in the Czech Republic has definitively ended this approach. Kratom has been classified into a new category of so-called psychomodulatory substances (PML), which for you as a customer means a number of new rules, but also significantly higher assurance of product safety and purity.
This guide will walk you through the current legal framework, explain why you can no longer use pickup boxes, and clarify the legality of kratom within the European Union.
Kratom as a regulated substance: What has changed?
Since 12 November 2025, kratom (including extracts) has been officially listed as a psychomodulatory substance. This means the state no longer views sellers as traders of “botanical samples”, but as distributors of regulated substances under the supervision of the Czech State Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI).
For the average user, the key point is that while you may store kratom for personal use without a permit, its online sale and sale in brick-and-mortar stores is now subject to strict conditions designed primarily to protect your health and prevent access by minors.
Strict rules for e-shops: The end of anonymous purchases
You may have noticed that many kratom e-shops disappeared after the new legislation was introduced. This is because operating online kratom sales can no longer be done anonymously from a living room.
Requirement for a physical store
A legal e-shop can no longer exist independently. Every seller must first operate a specialized physical store with a permit issued by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. This ensures you are buying from a traceable entity that meets hygiene and storage standards.
Age verification via NIA system
The biggest change in the e-shop checkout process is mandatory online age verification via the certified NIA system. For you as a customer, this means that before placing an order you must prove you are over 18 using:
- Bank identity (BankID).
- eID card.
- mojeID.
This process is safe for you because the kratom seller usually only receives the information “YES, over 18”, without accessing your personal data.
Why can’t your package be delivered to a pickup box anymore?
Customers often complain about the inability to deliver parcels to self-service boxes (such as AlzaBox or Z-Box). However, the law is strict: delivery of psychomodulatory substances without a physical person present is prohibited.
During delivery, there must be so-called handover into the recipient’s own hands. The courier is legally required to:
- Physically verify your age by checking your ID card or passport.
- Record your name and full ID document number in the delivery protocol.
- Obtain your handwritten signature.
If you cannot prove you are 18+, the courier must not hand over the parcel and it is returned to the seller. Your data is protected – the seller may not use it for marketing and must delete it after 5 years. However, another person may accept the parcel if they know the order number and prove their age with an ID.
Cross-border sales: Beware of Poland and neighboring countries
A common question is whether kratom can be sent abroad, for example to friends or on holiday. Here we encounter a complete ban on cross-border distance sales.
A Czech e-shop must not send kratom outside the Czech Republic. This is also linked to very different legislation in neighboring countries. While the Czech Republic chose regulation, many neighbors apply full prohibition.
- Poland: Kratom is on the list of prohibited substances and its sale and possession is illegal.
- Slovakia: Similarly to Poland, kratom is classified as a narcotic and psychotropic substance with full criminal consequences.
Attempting to export kratom from the Czech Republic risks not only seizure by customs, but also criminal prosecution for unauthorized handling of PML, with penalties from 2 to 8 years in prison. In some countries, penalties may be significantly stricter.
Transport for personal use may be allowed only to countries where possession is legal. It is always recommended to check the current legal status before travel.
Laboratory testing: Your guarantee of purity
Thanks to regulation, you no longer have to rely only on seller claims. Each batch of kratom (marked with a code starting with “L” and 8 digits) must have a certificate from an accredited laboratory. These tests guarantee:
- Maximum mitragynine concentration: Limit is 2.5% for powder and 12.5% for extracts.
- Microbiological safety: Absence of Salmonella spp. and E. coli.
- Purity from heavy metals and mycotoxins: Limits for arsenic, lead, mercury and aflatoxins.
This ensures the product is treated and free from mold or dangerous contaminants.
Boring website as a sign of professionalism
New legislation also banned advertising of PML substances. Any health or performance claims are not allowed.
A seller’s website should now be factual, technical and educational. It should include for example:
- Botanical description of Mitragyna speciosa.
- Mandatory composition and warnings.
- Links to laboratory certificates.
If an e-shop uses emotional marketing or targets young users, it is likely violating the law and may face fines up to 5,000,000 CZK.
The new regulation of kratom in the Czech Republic in 2025 has brought order to the online market. Although the process is more complex, the result is a safer market where customers know exactly what they are buying.