Where to Buy Kratom in China

Written by Wade Paul
Last Updated 3 years ago

Wade Paul

Founder & Editor-In-Chief

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

China is known for its restrictive drug laws, and the legality of kratom remains unclear here. Although it’s a legal gray area, everything seems to point to this herb being legal in the country. Furthermore, some China-based vendors sell this herb openly.

This article will delve into kratom’s legal status in China and how it may change in the future. We’ll also talk about the different kratom varieties and how to get the best products near you. So keep on reading and find out all you need to know.

Is Kratom Legal in China?

Although regulations are unclear, kratom seems to be legal in China.

China is a very secretive country, so it’s hard to access its complete penal code and regulations from the Western hemisphere. Furthermore, there seems to be no mention of kratom in any Chinese law whatsoever.

Due to its absence both in China’s penal code and relevant kratom webpages in Chinese, we can deduce that kratom is unregulated here. However, it’s a gray area, so we advise caution — entering the country with kratom might lead to serious trouble.

Another fact supporting this is the existence of online kratom shops in China. Still, we can’t recommend buying there due to the lack of regulation in the Chinese market.

Kratom was recently a subject of attention in 2021 when the World Health Organization looked over the research surrounding kratom. Luckily, it found kratom to be safe, which might make China and other countries take notice and hold back on banning it.

What to Look for When Buying Kratom

Although we don’t know if there are many kratom shops in China, one thing is certain — there will be low-quality products. As with any business, some people are willing to sell sub-par kratom to make an extra buck.

This section breaks down four aspects we think every trustworthy vendor should have covered. These don’t guarantee you’ll receive the best kratom, but they are essential guidelines to keep in mind when shopping.

1. AKA Endorsement

It might seem strange to evoke an American name when talking about China, but the American Kratom Association (AKA) has played a vital role in kratom’s relevance. This non-profit organization dedicates to spreading information about the benefits of kratom.

It’s responsible for the Kratom Consumer Protection Act — a bill proposing kratom regulations. Furthermore, it has a certification program that identifies and recognizes reputable vendors.

We believe that the only vendors worth your time are those that have the AKA’s seal of approval. Even though there aren’t many AKA-endorsed sellers that’ll ship to China, and there likely won’t be much locally, you can still look for the seal.

2. Vendor Reviews

You should always check online reviews before buying from any retail or online seller. Thanks to sites like Reddit, you can find information about almost any product and shop nowadays.

If you find many bad reviews or that the vendor reacts aggressively to them, you should stay away. Reputable suppliers will always have good reviews paired with excellent customer service.

3. Good Storage Practices

Kratom is known for spoiling quickly — poorly kept products will degrade in about three months. However, it’s possible to stretch kratom’s shelf-life to last for almost a year with good storage practices.

Bad vendors will have their kratom products exposed to UV light and environmental changes. Some sellers may even keep their powder in open containers. A good, reputable vendor should have impeccable storage practices.

4. Wide Variety of Strains

A telltale sign of a lousy vendor is a small variety of strains. If a shop only offers one or two kratom varieties, it’s probably best to stay away. Few strains are generally an indicator of a less-knowledgeable seller.

The most important aspect about this is how much knowledge the vendor has. A reputable one will answer all your questions patiently to clear any doubts. On the other hand, shady sellers will try to get the products out of their hands as soon as possible.

Why It’s Better to Order Kratom Online

There might be ways to get kratom in China through retail stores. Some smoke shops sell it, and there are herbal stores dedicated to wellness that also offer kratom. However, we recommend buying online, as it has unbeatable benefits.

These are some of the pros of ordering kratom online:

  • More accessible — thousands of kratom products are available to anyone with a few clicks.
  • Lower price — online sellers tend to offer better prices due to fewer overhead costs.
  • Higher quality — products sold online tend to be better than retail ones due to fewer intermediaries.
  • A broader selection of strains — due to the sheer amount of vendors, you’ll find hundreds of varieties online.
  • Reviews and third-party tests — most online vendors have reviews and lab tests to back their quality claims.

AKA-Endorsed Kratom Vendors That Ship to China

As we’ve already mentioned, there are a few China-based online vendors. Still, we recommend only buying from those sellers who have the AKA’s seal of approval. We found two vendors worth your time if you’re in China.

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 probably the best vendor on the market today. This fantastic brand offers top-notch kratom with a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of its orders. Furthermore, all its products undergo intensive quality control, including double lab tests.

You’ll find strains such as Green Malay, Red Dragon, and Red Maeng Da on its menu. Also, one of the best things about Kona Kratom is that best-selling strains and fresh batches carry labels on their website. So you can make sure you are only getting the best of the best.

What we love about Kona Kratom:

  • Top-notch quality kratom
  • Fast shipping
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Coupon codes on holidays

What could be better:

  • More expensive than some other vendors

Golden Monk

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

Golden Monk Kratom

4.45 / 5
Ranked 18 out of 190 vendors

Golden Monk is one of the most reputable kratom vendors out there. Besides its excellent prices, it’s one of the few brands specializing in discreetness. All of its orders come in inconspicuous packages without labels showing signs of a kratom order.

This vendor offers Green Malay, Red Bali, and White Maeng Da strains. Furthermore, to add to its dedication to discreetness, it accepts cryptocurrency payments.

What we love about Golden Monk:

  • Amazing customer support
  • Affordable prices
  • Free shipping on orders above $49.99
  • Discounts for first-time buyers

What could be better:

  • The strain collection is relatively small

Which Kratom Strain Should I Use?

You probably know by now that there are many different types of kratom, as vendors divide their products by vein color and strain. We know this can be confusing for beginners, so we will break down what these terms mean and the difference between them.

Strains are plants of the same species with different chemical compositions, leading them to have different effects. The vein color in kratom refers to the general effects profile of a set of strains.

Here are the most popular kratom strains:

Green Vein Kratom Powder

Green vein kratom powder is the standard for kratom, as its effects are highly versatile and balanced. It’s by far the most common variety available, and it’s probably the best starting point for a beginner.

Green Malay

Green Malay is a sedating and euphoric strain ideal for social environments. Thanks to its anxiolytic and energizing properties, it has become an alternative to alcohol for some people. It can also act as an excellent painkiller and a stress reliever.

Green Borneo

Green Borneo has remained one of the top-selling strains for a while now. It has a near-perfect balance between stimulating and sedative while retaining anxiolytic properties. Most people use it to relieve depression and anxiety, although some batches are very nootropic.

Green Bali

Uncommon to most of its green-vein relatives, Green Bali is a potent stimulant capable of keeping you alert during a whole day. Some users report replacing coffee entirely in favor of this strain.

Green Thai

Green Thai is famous for generating a calm and peaceful headspace. People who use it commonly talk about feeling a profound sense of well-being and tranquility. However, it’s slightly more energizing than most other green-vein strains.

Green Sumatra

Green Sumatra is hard to describe, as its effects profile is unstable and unpredictable, varying between batches. The only thing for sure with this strain is that its effects are long-lasting, going up to eight hours in some cases.

Red Vein Kratom Powder

Red vein kratom powder is on the more sedative end of the spectrum. Most of these strains will put you in a relaxed state of mind, and some will even lead to deep sleep. Furthermore, they generally help with anxiety and have strong pain-relieving properties.

Red Bali

Red Bali is a fantastic strain for people looking for daytime pain relief. Although it’s still sedative, it has a slightly energizing effect ideal for workdays. Plus, it has anxiolytic and nootropic properties that will help in keeping you focused during long sessions.

Red Thai

Red Thai is famous for causing a relaxed and soothed headspace. Most of its users report feeling at peace with themselves while having a deep sense of well-being. However, keep in mind that high doses might be euphoric for some.

Red Horn

A favorite among seasoned kratom users, Red Horn, is known for its irregular effects profile and potency. It has superb painkilling properties and is one of the best strains for inducing deep restorative sleep.

Red Sumatra

Red Sumatra is probably the most relaxing strain available on the market today. A high dose of this variety can put most kratom users to sleep in minutes. Yet, it provides a calm headspace in moderate amounts without much sleepiness.

Red Borneo

Red Borneo is a fantastic painkiller and sedative despite some inconsistencies between vendors. Plus, one of the advantages of this strain is its relatively low incidence of side effects due to its balanced chemical composition.

White Vein Kratom Powder

White vein kratom powder is very stimulating, making them ideal for people looking for an energy boost. White-vein varieties improve cognition and focus thanks to their interaction with serotonin receptors. In addition, these strains tend to provide feelings of euphoria and can help with depression.

White Borneo

White Borneo is a consistent and potent energizer suited for extended workdays. It has all the properties of kratom — it’s an analgesic, stimulant, mood-enhancer, and anxiolytic. Furthermore, its effects are long-lasting and reliable.

White Thai

White Thai may sound contradictory at first due to people reporting feeling both relaxed and energized at the same time. However, this balance makes it perfect for social settings and ideal for long creative sessions.

White Bali

White Bali is one of the best starting points for beginners looking to try out some white-vein varieties. It tends to be milder and easier to manage than other energizing kratom strains and has fewer side effects.

White Sumatra

If you’re looking to replace coffee, White Sumatra may be the perfect option for you. Not only is it one of the most potent stimulants available, but it also has solid anxiolytic and anti-stress properties.

White Indo

White Indo is a fantastic choice for those who don’t know which effects they are looking for in white-vein kratom. This jack-of-all-trades variety offers stimulating and mood-enhancing benefits while also being slightly euphoric.

What Does Kratom Feel Like?

Despite its popularity, there’s still a lot of confusion regarding kratom’s effects. It won’t make you high like marijuana. However, the experience may vary depending on the strain and other factors.

In general, you can expect these effects from kratom:

  • Less pain — thanks to the analgesic properties of kratom, you’ll feel a significant reduction in pain levels.
  • Enhanced focus — most kratom strains have nootropic effects that improve mental clarity.
  • Sedation — although not present in all varieties, kratom can help induce restorative sleep.
  • Less anxiety — one of the primary uses of this herb is as an anxiolytic.
  • Euphoria — most users report an intense sense of joy and warmth when using kratom, a feeling known as euphoria.

How Long Does Kratom Take To Work?

If it’s your first time ordering kratom, you might wonder how long it takes for its effects to occur. While this highly depends on the method of consumption and strain, there are some general guidelines you should know.

Most kratom users report feeling the first effects after 20 or 30 minutes, peaking after one hour, and dropping after two to eight hours. However, using kratom through edibles delays everything by about an hour. Similarly, eating a large meal before also slows the effects.

In addition, your level of tolerance to the herb may prove a significant factor in how long the high lasts. As your body gets used to kratom, it takes more to get the same effects. This could damage your wallet, but most importantly, your health, as it could lead to addiction.

What’s the Dose of Kratom?

Kratom dosage is a more complicated matter than it might seem. In general, though, a regular dose falls between 2 and 12 grams. Depending on a series of factors, one should take a higher or lower amount.

Low doses (2-5 g) are ideal for people who are:

  • Looking for energizing effects
  • Beginners to kratom
  • Weigh less than most people or have a more petite frame

High doses (6-12 g) are ideal for people who are:

  • Have lots of experience with kratom
  • Want to get the more sedative effects of this herb
  • Have a higher weight than most people

Another critical aspect to keep in mind is the time needed between doses. Although many regard kratom as a medicinal, safe herb, it can have strong side effects. Still, you’ll avoid them easily if you refrain from using too much.

Forbidden City, Beijing

Conclusion: Where to Buy Kratom in China

Although China is famous for its harsh drug laws, kratom seems legal here. You can find a variety of online vendors that’ll ship here, or you can go looking for a retail store.

However, we recommend trying out any AKA-endorsed vendors you can find if it’s your first time buying kratom. Sellers like Kona Kratom will ship to China without problems, and you’ll get top-notch kratom with lab tests and other perks.