Smuggling

Smuggling, act of bringing into or taking out of a country goods for which duty has not been paid; goods the importation or exportation of which is prohibited; or people who wish to cross a border illegally. Smuggling is as old as restrictions on international trade and is practised all over the world. It was the basis of the Opium Wars and other international conflicts. In 19th-century British India, salt became subject to smuggling between states. Today, the most frequent examples of smuggling involve individual travellers who fail to declare to customs officials merchandise on which an import duty is levied (see Customs Duties). However, the most serious instances of smuggling involve traffic in illicit drugs and armaments. The latter trade is worldwide and involves everything from rifles to materials for the manufacture of nuclear and chemical weapons. Significant law enforcement agencies in this area include, in the United Kingdom, for Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; and in the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration.