Contraband Of War

Summary of Contraband Of War

Goods that may be used to advance the war-making potential of a belligerent and are subject to seizure by an enemy. Generally, neutral nations are under no obligation to prevent their citizens from dealing in articles that might be considered contraband by a warring state. Accordingly, belligerents are compelled to use their own resources to inhibit the flow of contraband goods to the enemy. Contraband is customarily divided into two categories: (1) absolute contraband—munitions, military vehicles, communications equipment, or other apparatus clearly destined for military use; and (2) conditional contraband—articles that may be used for military purposes but not clearly destined for use by armed forces and may have nonmilitary application, e.g., chemicals and metals. A belligerent is permitted to stop neutral vessels on the high seas to inspect for contraband. Any neutral ship found to carry contraband is subject to seizure.

(Main Author: William J. Miller)