Contraband refers to illegal goods, including stolen materials, and their possession can result in confiscation without compensation. Smuggling is often involved in the trade of contraband goods. The term derives from Latin and can also refer to illegally obtained goods. In times of war, intercepting goods being shipped to opposing nations is permissible, but intercepting neutral ships carrying food, medicine, and shelter is controversial. A brisk trade in contraband goods can lead to a black market, which carries legal risks for both consumers and traders.
Contraband is a generic term for goods whose import or export is illegal. Goods whose possession is illegal, such as stolen materials, are also called contraband. Typically, contraband will be confiscated without compensation if detected by representatives of the law. Most nations have clear laws governing smuggling, in the interests of free trade and public safety. Since contraband has to be smuggled into or out of a nation, smuggling is often involved in the trade in contraband goods.
The term derives from the Latin contra, or “against” and ban, for legal and public proclamation. The term was transformed into smuggling in medieval French and was borrowed by the English in 1529. Examples of smuggling include illegal goods such as weapons, drugs and other substances which may be prohibited by law.
In the legal world, the word can also be used to discuss illegally obtained goods, although the goods themselves are not illegal. Stolen goods, for example, are considered contraband and, just like contraband contraband, will be confiscated and held by the authorities. The results of fraud and counterfeiting are also referred to as “smuggling,” as in the case of someone using money from fraudulent businesses to buy things like houses and cars.
In times of war, a belligerent nation can intercept goods being shipped from one neutral nation to another opposing nation to the conflict. These goods are known as contraband, and while it is not illegal for neutral nations to supply material to one party or the other, these nations do so at their own risk. Typically, the goods and vessel are seized, to prevent further contraband shipments. Neutral ships carrying military supplies can also be treated as enemy ships.
The global community has debated the wartime practice of intercepting goods, but has not reached a resolution on the issue. While most nations agree that intercepting things like munitions is permissible, materials like food, medicine and shelter are a little more ambiguous. While these can be used to support military actions, they could also be used to help civilians. Treating neutral ships as enemy combatants is also a dubious practice, as seen in the case of the Lusitania.
In some cases, a brisk trade in contraband goods can arise, especially if consumers have no other way to obtain them. This becomes known as the black market. Black markets can sell everything from skins of endangered species to much-needed medicines. Doing business on the black market carries risks, as consumers can be punished for possession of contraband and traders can face serious legal repercussions.
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