smugling

Smuggling, sometimes spelled smugling, refers to the illicit transport or trade of goods across borders or within a country in a way that evades duties, quotas, licensing, or other regulatory controls. It encompasses a range of activities designed to defeat governmental controls on import or export. Commonly smuggled goods include drugs, weapons, counterfeit or untaxed luxury items, tobacco and alcohol, wildlife or wildlife products, and electronics. Smuggling may involve individuals as couriers, organized crime networks, or small-scale operators.

Methods include concealment in cargo, mislabeling or under-declaration of value, fraudulent paperwork, multi-layered shipments, use of informal border points, and exploitation of weak controls or corruption. Legal treatment varies by jurisdiction but generally smuggling is illegal and subject to penalties such as fines and imprisonment. Wealthier or more complex networks can incur asset forfeiture. Country-level enforcement includes customs agencies, border patrol, police, and international cooperation; treaties and information-sharing programs support investigations.

Smuggling is distinct from human trafficking; people smuggling refers to illegal entry of migrants for profit, while trafficking involves exploitation and coercion. Related topics include contraband and border enforcement, which describe the broader context of enforcement, regulation, and prevention efforts.