Kratom Guides

Why You Can’t Buy Kratom on Amazon (And Where To Order From Instead)

Amazon is where many people go to buy…well, everything! But when it comes to kratom, Amazon is a poor choice. The online giant banned kratom on its site in 2012 due to increasing uncertainty of kratom’s legality throughout the United States.

This article explains why buying kratom from Amazon wouldn’t be a good idea — even if it wasn’t banned. Below you’ll find a brief explanation of Amazon’s kratom policy and some reviews of alternative vendors that offer high-quality kratom that’s safe, affordable, and effective.

Written by Wade Paul
Last Updated 1 year ago

Wade Paul

Founder & Editor-In-Chief

Wade Paul is the founder and editor-in-chief at Kratom.org.

Can You Find Kratom on Amazon.com?

No. Amazon doesn’t allow vendors to sell kratom on its platform, and any products claiming to contain kratom or designed to look like kratom are most certainly fake. Although this wasn’t always the case, Amazon’s policies prohibit selling kratom in its marketplace.

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, some online kratom vendors used Amazon to sell their products in lieu of a company website. Amazon changed its policy on kratom in 2012 and no longer allows any kratom or kratom-related products to be sold on the site.

Why You Should Never Buy Kratom From Amazon

Any kratom products listed on Amazon are fake. Period. Amazon does not allow genuine kratom in its marketplace, so any products claiming to contain kratom are scams.

Even if Amazon allowed kratom sales, it wouldn’t be a good idea to buy from them. It would be even more difficult to verify a product’s origin. Many companies resell products through the e-commerce giant, either through an arbitrage model or by undercutting competitors. Unfortunately, such practices encourage shady business practices and reward companies for selling knock-offs.

Amazon’s Policy on Selling Kratom

Kratom surged in popularity in 2012, primarily due to individual reviews and posts on sites like Reddit. This led to increased sales and an influx of new vendors to the Amazon marketplace. The United States Federal Drug Administration (FDA) stopped kratom shipments, leading Amazon to ban it from its site rather than deal with increasingly complicated legal matters.

Kratom’s legal status in the United States is complicated, with some states regulating its sale, others banning it outright, and some leaving it unregulated. Amazon decided to ban kratom from its platform to eliminate the possibility of future legal complications.

If Not Amazon, Where Can You Buy Kratom Online?

Even though Amazon isn’t an option for purchasing kratom anymore, buying kratom online is still your best bet. Below are some of the best places to buy kratom online. These vendors are well-established, respected names in the industry and sell only the highest-quality products that are backed by third-party lab tests.

Kona Kratom

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $45.00 — $115.00
Verified Vendor

Kona Kratom

4.95 / 5
Ranked 1 out of 190 vendors

Kona Kratom is a relatively new vendor that burst on the scene, quickly establishing itself as a prominent player in the industry.

Kona Kratom sells a variety of capsules and powders made with high-quality kratom from Indonesia, Thailand, Borneo, and Vietnam. The company has forged close relationships with kratom farmers and sources its products directly from the growers.

All products sold by Kona Kratom have third-party testing results to ensure safety and purity and come with a money-back guarantee.

VIP Kratom

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $40.00 — $125.00
Verified Vendor

VIP Kratom

4.85 / 5
Ranked 4 out of 190 vendors

VIP Kratom is an excellent choice for a more premium kratom experience. They specialize in high-quality kratom capsules and powders but charge higher prices for a boutique experience.

VIP Kratom’s dedication to quality means all its products have extensive third-party testing results published on the company website. A 30-day satisfaction guarantee backs all orders.

Some people may shy away from VIP Kratom’s higher prices, but customer reviews unanimously agree that it’s worth paying a bit more for the top-notch kratom and stellar customer service.

Star Kratom

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $35 — $95
Verified Vendor

Star Kratom

4.9 / 5
Ranked 2 out of 190 vendors

Star Kratom distinguishes itself from other online kratom vendors by offering lightning-quick shipping on all orders. Most orders from Star Kratom have 1–2 day shipping available, offering speedy delivery to people who need to replenish their kratom stock as quickly as possible.

Star Kratom’s product lineup is respectable, although not as extensive as VIP Kratom’s or Kona Kratom’s. However, it has comprehensive independent lab reports for all its products.

The Golden Monk

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $39.99 — $254.99
Verified Vendor

Golden Monk Kratom

4.75 / 5
Ranked 5 out of 190 vendors

The Golden Monk has the distinction of being one of the oldest kratom suppliers in the industry. The company offers a decent selection of high-quality kratom and has frequent discounts and deals on its website.

The Golden Monk’s service is impeccable, and the company stands behind its products with a money-back guarantee on all orders. You can also save some money by signing up by email for The Golden Monk newsletter to get exclusive orders sent to your inbox.

Why Reputable Online Kratom Vendors Are Your Best Option

Online kratom vendors offer several advantages over local shops, including lower prices, wider selections, and safety checks in the form of third-party lab results.

Reputable online kratom vendors have access to a larger audience, allowing them to purchase products in bulk directly from kratom suppliers. This direct access saves them money, allowing them to pass those savings to customers. Brick-and-mortar kratom shops have to worry about inventory and product freshness, meaning they have to place smaller, more expensive orders.

Another benefit that online vendors offer customers is variety. Since most online kratom shops cater exclusively to kratom users, they can afford to carry niche items and more strains. Local shops usually don’t stock less popular items since they’re unlikely to sell before spoiling.

Perhaps the most crucial advantage of buying kratom online is access to third-party lab results, which many more reputable companies provide to all customers. Lab results allow users to confirm potency and purity, which are paramount in an unregulated industry like kratom.

How to Avoid Buying Weak or Dangerous Kratom

Unfortunately, the kratom industry is plagued by scammers hoping to pass off weak or contaminated kratom as high-quality, making it essential for customers to do their due diligence before buying kratom online.

The best way to avoid falling victim to a scam is to do extensive background research on any company you’re considering patronizing. Look for independent reviews on forums like Reddit and sites other than the main company website. Reviews posted on company websites are often misleading or curated to show the company in a favorable light.

You should also pay attention to whether the company has its products independently tested. Third-party testing is the best way to know you’re buying high-quality kratom that is pure and potent. Be wary of any companies that don’t publish testing results openly. Some shady companies make customers request test results or make it difficult to find them on the company website.

New companies without any track record or online reviews may be legitimate but are more likely to be scams. Scammers often change names to prevent people from catching on, so only purchase kratom from established kratom companies with plenty of external reviews.

Related: Fake Kratom is Out There; Here’s How to Avoid it

Why Cheap Kratom is the Last Thing You Should Be Looking for

It’s natural to want to save money, but buying cheap kratom is not a good idea. Kratom is expensive to grow and test. Companies that sell kratom in the United States need to import it from Southeast Asia, increasing operating costs.

Simply put, real kratom is expensive and low prices are a red flag indicating that a company is selling low-quality, low-purity, or dangerous products. Buying kratom is absolutely a case where you get what you pay for, so don’t be lured in by suspiciously low prices.

Related: What’s the Cheapest Kratom? How to Save Money

Wrapping Up: Why Amazon Doesn’t Sell Kratom & Why You Shouldn’t Care

Amazon doesn’t allow kratom sales in its marketplace, so any products listed on Amazon claiming to contain kratom are scams. Kratom’s tumultuous legal status is difficult to manage and could open up a company like Amazon to lawsuits and trouble, so kratom has been banned on Amazon since 2012.

Buying kratom online is still the best option, even though you won’t find any on Amazon. Kona Kratom, VIP Kratom, Star Kratom, and The Golden Monk are excellent kratom vendors that offer high-quality products at reasonable prices. They also back their products with third-party testing and money-back guarantees and have outstanding reputations in the kratom industry.

Amazon is convenient for many purchases, but for kratom, having to buy from a dedicated vendor is a blessing in disguise. Online kratom vendors know their business and offer higher quality products and safety guarantees that would be impossible to find on an open marketplace like Amazon.

Further Reading