Buying kratom online isn’t always black and white. You might think that you can buy almost anything online – especially on eBay – but that isn’t always the case. If you visit the eBay site and type ‘kratom’ into the search bar, you’ll see a lot of matches appear, but they are not for actual kratom products. Instead, the results are typically books, pamphlets, or other publications about kratom. Also, the occasional drug test that can check for kratom comes up as an item for sale. However, you won’t see kratom on eBay in the form of capsules, powders, seeds, or other actual plant product items.
Purchasing Kratom on eBay
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Popularity of Kratom
Kratom is a hot search term. People are constantly turning to Google and typing in the herb’s name to search for retailers. In the United States, there are five million steady kratom buyers and that number is growing quickly as the herb’s popularity expands. Most people buy kratom online and others opt to purchase it from a local retailer such as a smoke shop, dispensary, vape store, naturopathic retailer, or even a gas station.
Kratom on eBay is a No-No
The eCommerce opportunities seem endless and many would assume that retailers make use of the many platforms such as eBay to market and sell their kratom products, but this is simply not the case. Yes, eBay is a worldwide platform with what seems like endless potential, but they have extremely strict policies that they have created to meet the needs of various countries’ laws around the world. Remember, in many areas kratom remains an illegal substance. eBay does not just serve Americans, so they must focus on adhering to strict criteria to meet the needs of the international community. Kratom on eBay is a ‘no-no’.
Can you buy kratom on eBay?
You cannot. This is one of the most common questions that kratom users ask and the answer is a firm ‘no’. eBay is an impressive giant that sells both new and used products in virtually every corner of the world. Retailers and wholesalers find it a paradise to market their bulk products and pass on genuinely great discounts to their buyers. However, all eBay products must comply with the platform’s strict policies. Yes, on occasion a shady kratom seller might slip in and post their powder for sale but as soon as eBay notices the listing then they instantly remove it. eBay’s fast response makes it impossible to sell or buy kratom on eBay.
The Laws and eBay
Kratom and eBay
Yes, Americans often have big heads and like to think that they are the greatest and best in the world, but the global community is a big place and eBay tries to serve everyone fairly. In many countries, kratom strains are illegal. Depending on the country, the laws about kratom vary dramatically which makes it very unsafe to carry the product. Someone who is not familiar with their local laws might see kratom for sale on eBay and then make the purchase.
If authorities catch them, then they could face prosecution and imprisonment. Claiming that they saw kratom on eBay and assumed its legal status does not create a legal defense. People must know their own local laws. However, young adults and others might simply lack such knowledge. To not break any laws and to protect their users, eBay forbids kratom.
Certificates and Various Requirements for Kratom
Depending on what country you reside within, kratom distributors, sellers, and growers must adhere to extremely strict laws and follow certain food department guidelines such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. In such locations, sellers need proper certificates prior to selling any kratom product.
Also, depending on the country, sellers, and distributors lab testing on kratom products prior to sale. The products must have 100 percent certification to meet all the country’s require laws. eBay can not meet each country’s requirements so they must abstain from selling any kratom products to err on the side of caution.
What are eBay’s rules on Kratom?
Kratom on eBay
You are probably wondering what are the eBay rules when it comes to Kratom? What happens if you should try to sell kratom on eBay? You will promptly receive a notification explaining eBay’s rules on kratom:
“You listed Kratom, which is prohibited on eBay because of its drug-like effects. While some items may be legal to buy and sell, they also have negative uses, with which the FDA or law enforcement agencies are concerned, and that eBay does not condone.
For this reason, we highly regulate the sale of these items on the site. We appreciate that you chose to utilize our site, but we must ask that you please not relist in this case. We would have loved to explain this to you over a phone call, however, the phone number listed on your account was not current.”
If eBay pulls your kratom listing, then you will receive a warning. However, if you try to relist the item then you could end up banned from the popular site. Ideally, you should always adhere to the online site’s rules and regulations.
Does eBay allow any type of Supplement?
You can sell safely sealed vitamins and supplements on eBay. They even have a category known as ‘vitamins and lifestyle supplements.’ Kratom users might complain that they cannot sell or buy kratom on eBay but it’s perfectly okay to buy a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other supplements.
Unfortunately, eBay continues to view kratom as a ‘drug’ and that categorization is not going to change any time soon due in a large part to the laws in other countries and also to a lesser extent to the reaction to kratom by the United States government. As certain U.S. agencies like the DEA and FDA continue to debate whether or not to declare kratom an illegal substance, eBay will undoubtedly avoid the herb and persist in seeing it as a drug that is no different than marijuana or any other illegal substance.
Does eBay talk to the FDA?
Many kratom sellers and buyers who have been turned away or banned from eBay because of kratom have started to hypothesize that the online buying and selling giant is in league with officials at the U.S. FDA. Maybe they are talking and plotting with the FDA to push a nationwide ban. All of this is nothing more than talk. Currently, there is no reason to believe that eBay talks with anyone at the FDA.
Honestly, eBay walks a very thin tightrope around the world and they simply must respect all countries and laws. They are not out to ban kratom or any other herb. They simply must respect the various governments around the world and even the branches of the government in the U.S. such as the DEA and FDA. Without a doubt, conspiracy theories will continue to circulate about kratom on eBay, but they lack any basis or truth.
Why does eBay have such an unfriendly policy on kratom?
Yes, if you are a kratom seller or user then you might view eBay’s stance on kratom as unfriendly and unwelcome. However, you simply must step back and see things from eBay’s point of view. Yes, they are out to protect their business interests and their standing in communities around the world. Of course, the company is putting their needs first, but they also care about the satisfaction and happiness of its users. After careful review, eBay writes:
“This policy helps to protect the safety of our members while ensuring that important government regulations are followed.
What is eBay’s classification for kratom?
Without a doubt, eBay considers kratom as a ‘drug’ with adverse and dangerous potential side effects. This belief has its basis in the viewpoints and stance of the U.S. DEA and FDA plus the laws set forth by many other countries around the globe.
eBay’s policy on kratom and other drug-like substances states:
Illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, and drug-like substances are not allowed
The sale of prohibited drugs and drug paraphernalia violates state, federal, and international law, so it’s forbidden on eBay.
What is the policy?
The following items are not allowed to be listed on eBay:
- Narcotics, steroids, and other controlled substances (including any substance listed in Schedules I, II, III, VI or V of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.)
- Items that claim to provide a “legal high”
- Pipes, or any item marketed as for use with marijuana or illegal drugs
- Tobacco pipes, and other smoking accessories not intended for drug use, are allowed
- Vaporizers intended to be used with alcohol, marijuana, or illegal substances
Activity that doesn’t follow eBay policy could result in a range of actions including for example: administratively ending or canceling listings, hiding, or demoting all listings from search results, lowering seller rating, buying or selling restrictions, and account suspension. All fees paid or payable in relation to listings or accounts on which we take any action will not be refunded or otherwise credited to your account.
Luckily, if you are seeking a reputable kratom vendor then you don’t have to use eBay. At My Kratom Club, we sell a wide array of kratom powders, capsules, and products. Please contact us to learn more.