Starting late 2024, Indonesia instituted new export regulations under Minister of Trade Regulations No. 20/2024 and No. 21/2024. These specifically allow only finely ground or powdered kratom (≤600 microns) to be exported, with stricter prohibitions on raw leaves and coarse forms
Kratom imports to Thailand from Indonesia
Key Insights:
- Thailand legalized kratom domestically under the Narcotics Act (No. 8) B.E. 2564 (2021), allowing regulated use, cultivation, and potential export.
- Importing or exporting kratom into Thailand requires a license from the Narcotics Control Board (NCB)—valid for five years—with mandatory notification to the NCB for each shipment. Violating these rules can result in up to one year imprisonment, a fine up to THB 100,000, or both.
- Both countries regulate kratom with Indonesia exporting under controlled conditions and Thailand having a licensing system for import.
Why is 30 mesh a popular grind size for Extractors in Thailand
In the kratom trade, 30-mesh powder (about 600 microns) is a common grind size and is often preferred for extract production.
Here’s why:
- Surface area for extraction
A 30-mesh grind is fine enough to expose a lot of surface area, which allows alkaloids (mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, etc.) to be more efficiently extracted using solvents (commonly ethanol, water, or CO₂). - Flowability
Powder in this range balances ease of handling (it flows well in processing machinery) with solvent penetration. Extremely fine micronized kratom (<100 mesh) can clump, making extraction harder, while coarser leaf powders extract less efficiently. - Regulatory alignment
Interestingly, Indonesia’s 2024–2025 export rules set 600 microns (≈30 mesh) as the maximum particle size for exported kratom powder — meaning that the regulatory standard aligns with what the extraction industry already prefers. - Industrial consistency
Extract manufacturers want standardized particle size so that solvent-to-solid ratios and extraction yields are predictable across batches. Thirty-mesh has become something of an industry norm.
30 mesh = optimal compromise — fine enough for efficient alkaloid recovery, coarse enough to avoid processing headaches, and (now) in line with Indonesian export regulations.
Oceania Trading & Distribution Co Ltd -Thailand (OTAD) specializes in the import, distribution and export of kratom products including crushed leaf, powder and extracts. OTAD Ltd is aligned with the highest quality materials, working with buyers and sellers from both Indonesia and Thailand for optimal domestic and global delivery to our clients.
