The Indonesian government recently officially recognized kratom as an export commodity, confirmed by the issuance of two regulations by the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan. These regulations set conditions for kratom export, which came into effect on September 29, 2024. The regulations specify which types of kratom are prohibited and also adjust export rules and standards for approved forms of kratom.
What does the kratom ban mean for consumers?
For consumers, this means that for the next 3 months, there may be a halt in the import of traditional kratom powder. Why is this? It is not because traditional kratom powder is banned, but due to strict regulations now applying to these substances. This is primarily about quality control, hygiene, and until now, kratom was viewed in Indonesia as a commodity with free export that did not fall under any regulations. From now on, this is no longer the case, and kratom is viewed as an agricultural product, so it is subject to the same rules as food products. For kratom in the form of leaves, coarse crumbs, and other forms, import is banned, and it is intended to be permanent without any discussion of future changes.
These regulations primarily aim to protect consumers from low-quality products but also to support the Indonesian economy, from which it can now be inferred that the prices of kratom will increase significantly in the future. Initially, there will be a price increase on the part of Indonesia, and then this price increase will affect every retailer due to the costs associated with licenses and sale-related expenses. On Kratomit.cz, you don’t need to worry about running out of kratom leaves. We have prepared stockpiles that are ready for the challenging times ahead.
Indonesian regulations on kratom regulation
According to regulation no. 20/2024, kratom is now classified as an agricultural commodity prohibited for export, which includes not only the plant itself but all processed forms, including dried leaves and kratom powder. However, regulation no. 21/2024 allows the export of finely ground kratom powder, which means that only kratom processed in this way can be legally exported. The purpose of these regulations is to prevent the misuse of kratom and ensure legal certainty for exporters, while also adding value to this commodity through stricter standards.
The Director General of Foreign Trade at the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, Isy Karim, explained that by exporting regulated kratom in powder form, Indonesia can offer importing countries a pre-export notification mechanism. This system provides importers in countries such as the United States, Germany, and the Czech Republic with the necessary import permits, minimizing the risk of misuse of this commodity. The system thus enables maximum control over kratom distribution in countries and prevents its misuse or devaluation.
The Indonesian government expects these measures to increase the added value of kratom exports. The Director General of Foreign Trade in Indonesia stated that with new standards, the price of kratom should increase, thus maximizing added value for Indonesian farmers, especially in the Kalimantan regions, where kratom has long been cultivated. The government also hopes that regulations will help reduce kratom misuse by requiring exporters to register their export permits and quotas. For consumers and retailers, this means a significant price increase. We can expect noticeable price increases next year, so we recommend that everyone stock up at current affordable prices.
Position of health organizations
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that kratom leaves are not considered a drug, and the WHO has yet to decide on the classification of kratom as a Class I narcotic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has received a proposal from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to continue monitoring kratom. However, no sufficient evidence has yet been presented for the inclusion of kratom as a Class I drug. In response, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) recommended that the public limit kratom use until research results are available.
Kratom is especially popular in Indonesia among the inhabitants of Kalimantan, who use it as a stimulant with effects comparable to coffee. Kratom leaves contain active substances such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which have analgesic effects, although at high doses they can cause dependence and euphoric states.
Regulation of kratom export – summary of development
While many countries are considering banning kratom use, Indonesia has opted for strict regulations, with research conducted by BRIN expected to provide results by August 2024 that will facilitate the formulation of further measures regarding regulation, usage, and safety of this commodity. It is now clear that import will be allowed, but only in the form of kratom powder, and any other form will be returned to the sender or, in the worst case, destroyed. The Indonesian government will also provide licenses to farmers, which will significantly reduce the global supply of kratom. This has its pros and cons, but the times when kratom was available at an affordable price are already a thing of the past.
