Kratom Guides

By the Kratom Thai Exports editorial team. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026. Important notice. Kratom Thai Exports supplies business buyers only (B2B). You must be 18 or older to use this site. The content on this page is for general market and research information. It is not medical advice and must not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition. These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Research findings are summarised from the cited sources and describe what those studies reported; they are not claims about any product we supply. Laws on kratom and its alkaloids, including 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), differ by country, state and city and change often. Check the laws in your jurisdiction and with your import authority before buying, importing or selling. Short answer: a commercial kratom export from Thailand needs an ONCB export licence held by the exporter, a pre-shipment notification lodged at least seven business days ahead, and a consistent document set: commercial invoice, packing list, lot COA, certificate of origin, transport document and, where required, a phytosanitary certificate. For wholesale buyers, a shipment is only as good as its paperwork. A well-specified lot can still be held at customs if a document is missing or inconsistent. This article explains how kratom export from Thailand works in practice, which documents typically accompany a commercial shipment, and how buyers can reduce compliance risk on both ends of the trade. The regulatory background Thailand removed kratom from its Category 5 narcotics list effective 24 August 2021 (Bangkok Post). Trade is now governed by the Kratom Plant Act 2022 and a 2025 ministerial regulation. According to Tilleke & Gibbins, exporters need an ONCB export licence (stated fee THB 5,000, valid five years) and must lodge a notification through the ONCB National Single Window at least seven business days before each shipment. The ONCB then issues a notification receipt code that customs uses for clearance. Because the rules continue to evolve, buyers should treat any checklist, including this one, as a starting point. Always confirm current requirements with your exporter and, where needed, with Thai authorities before committing to a shipment. Who is responsible for what Export compliance is shared: The Thai exporter is responsible for export permits, product preparation, and origin-side documentation. The freight forwarder handles booking, export customs clearance and transport documents. The buyer or importer of record is responsible for confirming the product is legal to import and sell in the destination market, and for import customs clearance. Agreeing these responsibilities in writing, and choosing clear Incoterms, prevents gaps where each party assumes someone else handled a step. Core documents for a commercial kratom shipment While exact requirements depend on the shipment and destination, buyers should expect the following: Commercial invoice States the seller, buyer, product description, HS code, quantity, unit price, total value, currency and Incoterms. Descriptions must be accurate and consistent with every other document. Packing list Lists each package, its contents, net and gross weights, and dimensions. Customs officers use it to verify the physical shipment against the invoice. Certificate of analysis (COA) Issued by a laboratory for the specific lot. Buyers commonly request microbiological testing, heavy metals and moisture. Ensure the lot number on the COA matches the lot number on the packaging and invoice. Certificate of origin Confirms the goods were produced in Thailand. Some destinations require it for customs purposes or preferential tariff treatment. ONCB export licence and shipment notification receipt The exporter’s five-year ONCB licence plus the notification receipt code for this specific shipment. Ask for both and check that quantity and lot numbers match the invoice. Transport document A bill of lading for sea freight or an air waybill for air freight, issued by the carrier or forwarder. Phytosanitary certificate (where required) Some destinations require phytosanitary certification for dried plant material. Requirements depend on the product format and the importing country. Consistency is the most common failure point The single most frequent cause of customs delays is inconsistency between documents. Product names, weights, lot numbers and HS codes must match across the invoice, packing list, COA and transport document. Before shipment, request draft copies of all documents and review them side by side. Destination market checks Kratom’s legal status varies significantly around the world. Some countries prohibit it, some regulate it, and in some countries rules differ between states or provinces. In certain markets, the intended use, labeling or product format also affects whether goods can be imported. Before ordering, buyers should: 1. Confirm the legal status of kratom in the destination country and any sub-national jurisdiction where it will be sold. 2. Check whether an import license, registration or notification is required. 3. Confirm labeling and packaging rules that apply at import. 4. Engage a licensed customs broker familiar with botanical imports. 5. Seek legal advice where the position is unclear. A responsible exporter will ask where goods are going and may decline shipments to markets where import is not permitted. Related: kratom legal status in Thailand, how to source bulk kratom from Thailand and our importer FAQ. Labeling and marketing considerations Labels on bulk packaging should be factual: product name, botanical name (Mitragyna speciosa), format, net weight, lot number, origin and supplier details. Avoid statements about effects or uses on packaging and in shipping documents, as such claims can trigger regulatory scrutiny in many markets. Keep all commercial communication focused on specification, quality and traceability. Timelines to plan for Documentation adds time to every order. A realistic plan includes: Sample approval and lot testing. Production and packing to the agreed specification. Permit processing and document preparation. Export clearance and freight booking. Transit and import clearance. First shipments generally take longer while documents are set up. Repeat shipments with the same specification and destination tend to move faster. Our kratom wholesale lead time guide breaks each stage down with published reference points. How a sourcing partner reduces risk A Bangkok-based sourcing partner coordinates suppliers, laboratories, forwarders and documentation

By the Kratom Thai Exports editorial team. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026. Important notice. Kratom Thai Exports supplies business buyers only (B2B). You must be 18 or older to use this site. The content on this page is for general market and research information. It is not medical advice and must not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition. These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Research findings are summarised from the cited sources and describe what those studies reported; they are not claims about any product we supply. Laws on kratom and its alkaloids, including 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), differ by country, state and city and change often. Check the laws in your jurisdiction and with your import authority before buying, importing or selling. Short answer: to source bulk kratom from Thailand, write a specification sheet, vet the supplier’s company registration and ONCB export licence, test lot-specific samples independently, agree quality terms in writing, confirm import legality in your market, and choose freight and Incoterms. The steps below cover each one. Thailand has become one of the most closely watched origins for wholesale kratom since the country removed Mitragyna speciosa from its narcotics list on 24 August 2021 (Bangkok Post). For distributors, brand owners and manufacturers, the opportunity is real, but so are the operational questions. Who are you actually buying from? How do you confirm specifications? Which documents travel with the shipment? This guide walks through the sourcing process step by step so your first order is predictable and your second order is easier. 1. Define what you need before contacting suppliers The most common cause of delays in bulk sourcing is an unclear brief. Before requesting quotes, document the following: Product format: fine powder, crushed leaf or whole dried leaf. Vein classification: green, red, white or a specific blend. Volume: trial order size and expected monthly or quarterly volume. Testing requirements: which parameters you need on a certificate of analysis (COA), such as microbiological counts, heavy metals and moisture. Packaging: bag size, inner liner, outer carton and any labeling needs. Destination: the country, port or airport, and any import rules your market applies. Incoterms: EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP, depending on how much logistics you want to manage. A one-page specification sheet lets suppliers quote accurately and lets you compare offers on equal terms. 2. Understand who you are buying from Thai kratom supply typically involves three layers: growers, processors and exporters. Small farms harvest and dry leaf. Processors grind, sieve and pack. Exporters handle documentation, consolidation and freight. Some companies combine roles; many do not. A sourcing partner based in Thailand can coordinate across these layers on your behalf. This is the role Kratom Thai Exports plays: we connect qualified international buyers with vetted farms and processing partners and coordinate the sourcing process from specification to shipment. Whichever route you choose, always ask a supplier which part of the chain they control directly. 3. Vet suppliers properly Due diligence protects both your capital and your reputation. At minimum, request: Company registration documents (a Thai company certificate and tax ID). Photos or video of drying and processing facilities, ideally with a live video call. Sample COAs from recent lots, issued by an independent laboratory. References from other international buyers where possible. Clear payment terms in writing, including what happens if a lot fails testing. Be cautious of suppliers who cannot explain their processing steps, who quote prices far below the market, or who refuse independent testing. 4. Order samples and test independently Never skip the sample stage. Order samples from the specific lot or production run you are considering, not generic marketing samples. Send them to an accredited laboratory in your own market where possible, and compare results with the supplier’s COA. Consistency between the two is a strong trust signal. Record sample reference numbers so that the bulk shipment can be matched to the approved sample. Ask the supplier to retain a reference sample from each shipped lot as well. 5. Agree specifications and quality terms in writing Once samples are approved, put the agreed specifications into a purchase agreement or pro forma invoice. Include: Product description, format and mesh size where relevant. Acceptable ranges for moisture and the testing parameters you require. Packaging specification and labeling details. Lot numbering and traceability requirements. Inspection rights, and the remedy if a lot does not match specification. Clear written terms reduce disputes and make reorders straightforward. 6. Prepare export and import documentation Thai exports of kratom leaf require an ONCB export licence and a notification lodged at least seven business days before each shipment (Tilleke & Gibbins), and the specific requirements can change, so confirm the current list with your exporter before each order. Typical shipment paperwork includes a commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA and the bill of lading or air waybill. On the import side, rules differ widely by country and, in some markets, by state or province. Some jurisdictions restrict or prohibit kratom entirely. It is the buyer’s responsibility to confirm that the product can legally be imported and sold in the destination market, so consult a customs broker or trade lawyer in your country before placing an order. 7. Choose the right freight method Air freight suits trial orders and smaller volumes. It is fast, typically a few days door to door, but cost per kilogram is higher. Sea freight suits larger volumes. Less than container load (LCL) works for mid-size orders, while full container load (FCL) offers the best unit economics for established buyers. Transit times are measured in weeks, so plan inventory accordingly. Ensure packaging is suitable for the transit method. Moisture-resistant liners and sturdy cartons matter more on long sea routes. 8. Plan for lead times Lead time depends on harvest conditions, processing capacity and documentation. As a planning baseline, allow time for sampling and testing, then production and packing, then export documentation, then freight. Building a buffer into your