contraband goods

Meaning

This term refers to items that are illegal to import or export, or goods that are brought into a country without paying the required customs duties. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as airport security announcements, customs declarations, and legal documentation. The tone is serious and regulatory.

Examples

• The customs officers confiscated several boxes of contraband goods at the border.

  The customs officers confiscated several boxes of contraband goods at the border.

• Passengers are strictly warned against carrying any contraband goods in their luggage.

  Passengers are strictly warned against carrying any contraband goods in their luggage.

• Attempting to smuggle contraband goods can result in heavy fines or imprisonment.

  Attempting to smuggle contraband goods can result in heavy fines or imprisonment.

• The report detailed an increase in the seizure of contraband goods over the last fiscal year.

  The report detailed an increase in the seizure of contraband goods over the last fiscal year.

• Certain agricultural products are classified as contraband goods to protect local ecosystems.

  Certain agricultural products are classified as contraband goods to protect local ecosystems.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I bought some contrabands at the airport.

  ✓ I bought some contraband goods at the airport.

  'Contraband' is typically uncountable or used as an adjective modifying 'goods'. It should not be pluralized as 'contrabands' in formal English.

• ✗ The police arrested him for carrying illegal contraband goods.

  ✓ The police arrested him for carrying contraband goods.

  Since 'contraband' already means illegal or prohibited, adding the word 'illegal' before it is redundant.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Customs officials are trained to detect ___ hidden in commercial shipments.

  💡 Illegal or prohibited items.

  Show answer

  contraband goods

• The importation of ___ can lead to severe legal penalties.

  💡 Goods smuggled without paying duty or legally banned.

  Show answer

  contraband goods