Translation guide
The illegal transportation of goods or people across borders or past checkpoints. In Japanese, the most common word is 密輸 (mitsuyu) for goods, while 密入国 (mitsunyūkoku) is used for people. The verb forms and related terms depend on what is being smuggled.
The illegal import or export of items, such as drugs, weapons, or untaxed goods.
The standard noun for smuggling goods. Used in formal and news contexts.
彼は麻薬の密輸で逮捕された。
He was arrested for drug smuggling.
The verb 'to smuggle' (goods).
彼らは国境を越えて武器を密輸した。
They smuggled weapons across the border.
Illegal selling/trafficking, often used for drugs or contraband. Focuses on the distribution side.
密売組織が摘発された。
The smuggling ring was busted.
Literally 'dark transport', a less common term for illegal shipping.
闇輸送ルートが存在する。
There are underground smuggling routes.
Illegally bringing people across borders, often for immigration or trafficking.
Illegal entry into a country. The noun form.
密入国者が増えている。
The number of people being smuggled in is increasing.
To smuggle someone into a country (causative form).
業者が移民を密入国させた。
The broker smuggled the immigrants in.
Human smuggling, emphasizing the transportation aspect. Often used in legal contexts.
人身密輸は重大な犯罪です。
Human smuggling is a serious crime.
Bringing prohibited items into a restricted area, like a prison or event.
To bring in (often illegally). Used with adverbs like こっそり (secretly).
刑務所に携帯電話を持ち込もうとした。
He tried to smuggle a cell phone into the prison.
To sneak something in.
彼は酒を会場にこっそり持ち込んだ。
He smuggled alcohol into the venue.
To transport secretly. More general, not necessarily illegal.
彼女は書類を密かに運び出した。
She smuggled the documents out.
密輸 (mitsuyu) is for goods, while 密入国 (mitsunyūkoku) is for people entering a country illegally. For smuggling people out, use 密出国 (misshukkoku).
密出国を手助けする
to assist in smuggling someone out of the country
While 人身密輸 exists, it is technical. In everyday speech, 密入国 is more natural for human smuggling.