Are SARMs Legal? A Complete Guide for Athletes, Retailers, and Consumers

If you’ve been around the bodybuilding world long enough, you’ve no doubt heard of SARMs—Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. They’re known for helping athletes build muscle, preserve lean mass during a cut, and boost endurance without the harsh side effects associated with traditional anabolic steroids.

But the question most people ask before they buy or use them isn’t about effectiveness — it’s about legality.

Are SARMs legal to buy? Are SARMs legal to use? Can someone get arrested for having them? The answer is a little more nuanced than a simple yes or no. It depends on your role (consumer vs seller), your jurisdiction, and how the product is labeled and marketed.

Let’s unpack this fully so you’re not caught off guard — whether you’re a lifter, online reseller, coach, or competitor.

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What Are SARMs?

SARMs, or Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, are compounds that bind to androgen receptors in muscle and bone tissue. They were originally developed for medical use, particularly to treat conditions like muscle wasting, osteoporosis, and certain hormone-related disorders.

While none have been officially approved by the FDA for human consumption outside of clinical trials, SARMs have gained major traction in the fitness and performance-enhancement world due to their anabolic-like effects and oral delivery format.

Some of the most commonly used SARMs include:

• Ostarine (MK-2866)

• Ligandrol (LGD-4033)

• RAD-140 (Testolone)

• S4 (Andarine)

• YK-11

• ACP-105

They’re often sold as “research chemicals” and labeled “not for human consumption” to bypass regulatory scrutiny. And that’s where the legal gray area starts.

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Are SARMs Legal to Use?

For the average consumer or athlete, it is not illegal to possess SARMs for personal use in most parts of the United States — as long as they are not misbranded or marketed as dietary supplements.

In simple terms: if you’re an individual who purchases SARMs from a research supplier and uses them privately, you’re not violating any laws in most states.

However, there are two major caveats:

1. Competitive athletes may still be penalized, as SARMs are banned by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and all major sporting federations.

2. If the SARMs are labeled for human use, advertised as performance supplements, or sold alongside dosing instructions, that becomes a compliance issue with the FDA and FTC, especially for the retailer.

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Are SARMs Legal to Sell?

This is where the legal picture gets complicated — and risky — especially for brands and retailers.

While SARMs themselves are not scheduled controlled substances (with a few exceptions like S23 in some states), the FDA has taken a strong stance against the sale of SARMs as dietary supplements.

In 2017, the FDA issued a public warning that SARMs are “not legally permitted in supplements.” This was followed by a wave of warning letters and criminal investigations targeting companies that marketed SARMs as bodybuilding products.

Example: IronMagLabs Case

One of the most high-profile enforcement actions came when IronMagLabs was sued by the U.S. Department of Justice for illegally selling SARMs and prohormones labeled as dietary supplements. The DOJ charged the company under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) for selling misbranded and unapproved drugs.

They were eventually forced to pay a six-figure settlement and take their products off the market.

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What About the SARMs Control Act?

In 2018, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced the SARMs Control Act, which sought to classify SARMs as Schedule III controlled substances (just like anabolic steroids). If passed, it would have made possession without a prescription illegal, similar to testosterone or Dianabol.

However — as of 2025, the SARMs Control Act has not passed into law.

So currently, SARMs remain unscheduled under federal law. That said, state-level legislation varies, and individual states can enforce their own scheduling.

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Summary: Current U.S. Legal Status of SARMs (2025)

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International Laws: Are SARMs Legal Outside the U.S.?

The legality of SARMs varies widely by country.

• United Kingdom: SARMs are considered prescription-only medicines and illegal to sell without MHRA approval.

• Australia: SARMs are Schedule 4 prescription-only substances, and importing them without proper documentation is illegal.

• Canada: SARMs are regulated as unauthorized drugs. Possession isn’t necessarily illegal, but sale is restricted.

• EU: Countries like Germany and France have tight restrictions on SARMs as unapproved medical products.

Bottom line: while some countries allow possession, buying or importing SARMs overseas without proper clearance can lead to customs seizures or even legal trouble.

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Can You Get Arrested for Having SARMs?

If you’re a private citizen in the U.S. possessing SARMs labeled for research use, you are unlikely to face criminal charges. Law enforcement is not currently targeting end users. That said, you could still run into problems under the following conditions:

• You’re caught with large quantities that imply intent to distribute

• You’re reselling them on social media or eBay without proper disclaimers

• You’re involved in competitive athletics and test positive under anti-doping rules

• The product is mislabeled or marketed as a dietary supplement

In these cases, enforcement would likely fall under FDA violations, consumer protection laws, or in rare instances, state-controlled substance laws.

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What Protects Consumers Legally?

If you’re buying SARMs strictly for personal use and they’re labeled for research purposes only, several legal doctrines offer indirect protection:

1. Doctrine of Personal Use

Federal agencies typically focus enforcement on manufacturers and distributors — not individuals. Unless you’re trafficking or promoting sales, personal use tends to fall under low-priority enforcement.

2. Labeling Loophole

Many sellers label SARMs as “research chemicals” and include disclaimers like “Not for human consumption.” This isn’t a legal shield, but it reduces FDA scrutiny — especially if the product is not sold alongside dosing guidance or bodybuilding imagery.

3. Lack of Controlled Substance Scheduling

Until SARMs are officially scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act (like steroids), possession is not automatically a crime, though mislabeling or resale can be.

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Will SARMs Become Illegal in the Future?

Regulatory pressure is increasing. The FDA has called SARMs “unapproved drugs masquerading as supplements.” WADA continues to ban them. And the supplement industry itself is moving to distance from SARM-related liability.

Expect the SARMs Control Act or a similar bill to eventually pass. If it does, personal possession could become a crime, and SARMs would be treated like anabolic steroids — requiring prescriptions, DEA scheduling, and heavy penalties for unsanctioned use or sale.

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Legal Tips If You Use SARMs

1. Buy from companies that sell for “research purposes only”
2. Avoid posting or sharing usage publicly — it’s easy to get flagged
3. Don’t buy in bulk unless you want to raise red flags with customs or local authorities
4. Keep original packaging and disclaimers
5. Do not resell without consulting legal counsel
6. Stay updated on federal and state legislation

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Final Word: So, Are SARMs Legal?

Here’s the bottom line:

• Possessing SARMs for personal use is currently legal under federal law, provided they’re labeled for research use and not misbranded.

• Selling SARMs as dietary supplements is illegal, and companies have been shut down and fined for doing so.

• Competitive athletes can face bans, even for trace amounts of SARMs.

• Laws are changing fast, and it’s likely SARMs will be scheduled in the future.

If you’re using SARMs, be informed, stay discrete, and always keep an eye on regulatory updates. What’s a gray area today could become black-and-white tomorrow.