diplomatic pouch: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

While legally protected from inspection, international law expects it to contain only official documents and articles for official use. Using it for illicit goods is a violation of trust and can lead to serious diplomatic incidents.

No. The term can refer to any sealed container, from an envelope to a large crate or even a shipping container, as long as it is properly identified as diplomatic mail.

Its loss is a serious diplomatic and security matter. The receiving state is obligated, under the Vienna Convention, to protect diplomatic premises and correspondence, so the sending state would file a formal protest and demand an investigation.

Modern practice often extends the principle of inviolability to official encrypted diplomatic communications, though the term 'diplomatic pouch' traditionally refers to physical items. The legal framework is adapting to electronic 'pouches'.

A secure container or bag used by diplomats and government officials to transport official documents and materials between a foreign mission and its home country. It enjoys special legal protection and immunity from search or seizure under international law.

Diplomatic pouch is usually formal, diplomatic, journalistic in register.

Diplomatic pouch: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk paʊtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk paʊtʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.