# Diplomatic pouches

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diplomatic-pouches/786140>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [May 8, 2017, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diplomatic-pouches/786140 "2017-05-08T17:48:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diplomatic-pouches/786140/1 "2017-05-08T17:48:31Z")

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[Well-written](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2234/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-diplomatic-pouch) description of said “pouches”. Most people think that a DP is a briefcase handcuffed to the wrist of somebody wearing a nice suit. In fact, it can extend even to a person’s household shipment, although those sorts of things can be inspected if there is evidence of contraband. I knew people who illegally shipped antiques out of Soviet Bloc countries using equipment cases, and got away with it.

I know of another person who everyone considered a major asshole during his career, most of which he spent in African countries. Sadly for him, everyone also knew that he had acquired a lot of elephant ivory over said career. When he finally sent his final household shipment home upon retirement, customs agents were waiting for it (and him).