Legal Definitions - usus bellici

Usus bellici is a Latin term used in international law to describe objects or uses that, while not inherently military in nature, become considered contraband because they are employed by a warring party to support its war effort. Essentially, it refers to items that have a dual-use potential – normally civilian but capable of being diverted for military purposes, thereby making them "warlike objects" in the context of a conflict.

• Example 1: Industrial Materials for Military Production

  Imagine a neutral country shipping large quantities of high-grade steel and specialized chemicals to a nation engaged in a prolonged conflict. While steel is a common building material and chemicals have numerous civilian applications, intelligence reveals that the warring nation is primarily using these specific shipments to manufacture tanks, artillery shells, and military vehicles. In this scenario, the steel and chemicals would be classified as usus bellici because their direct application by the belligerent is to enhance its military capabilities and sustain its war effort.

• Example 2: Fuel Supplies for Military Logistics

  Consider a neutral merchant vessel transporting a massive consignment of aviation fuel to a port controlled by one of the belligerent nations. Although aviation fuel is used for civilian air travel, the warring nation's air force relies heavily on this type of fuel for its fighter jets and transport planes. If the scale of the shipment far exceeds civilian needs and is clearly intended to resupply military operations, then that aviation fuel could be deemed usus bellici. Its critical role in supporting military logistics and operations transforms it into a warlike object.

• Example 3: Advanced Technology Components

  Suppose a company in a neutral country exports sophisticated microchips and advanced optical sensors to a country involved in a conflict. These components are widely used in consumer electronics and medical devices. However, the belligerent nation is known to be integrating these exact types of microchips and sensors into its drone guidance systems, precision-guided munitions, and surveillance equipment. Despite their civilian uses, these components become usus bellici because their actual or intended use by the warring party is to significantly enhance its military technology and operational effectiveness.