Kontrabande

Kontrabande refers to goods whose possession, use, import, or export is illegal or restricted under applicable law. The term can describe both the prohibited items themselves and the act of trading or transporting them. The precise definition varies by country, reflecting differences in rules about drugs, weapons, counterfeit money, endangered species, cultural artifacts, and other controlled commodities.

Typical categories of contraband include illegal drugs, weapons, counterfeit currency, stolen or pirated items, and goods subject to licensing, quotas, or import bans. In addition, many jurisdictions designate certain items as contraband within prisons, where possession of unauthorized items such as mobile phones or drugs is prohibited and subject to discipline or criminal penalties.

A related distinction is that contraband refers to the goods, while smuggling refers to the act of moving those goods illegally across borders or borders of jurisdiction. In international or maritime law, contraband of war denotes goods that may be seized by a belligerent during armed conflict.

Origin and usage: the concept exists in many languages, with spellings such as contraband or kontrabande in various European languages. The term is generally anchored in legal and regulatory contexts, including customs, police work, maritime enforcement, and prison administration, where enforcement aims to prevent the illicit trade, possession, or transit of restricted items.