Faris Adani
The peculiar discovery made by the owners of a Toronto-based sex toy shop has cast an unusual spotlight on the intricate web of international shipping regulations, host nation laws, and the private lives of military personnel stationed abroad, revealing a story that is both humorous and a stark reminder of cultural sensitivities. Grace Bennett, co-founder of Bonjibon, recounted her astonishment upon opening two returned packages that had originated from a US naval base in Bahrain, only to find not only the products themselves but also stern letters from the Pentagon. These missives, as Bennett succinctly put it, effectively told her business to "stop sending butt plugs to Bahrain."
While the immediate reaction might lean towards an image of a prudish military establishment enforcing a moral code, the Pentagon’s intervention was not, in fact, driven by "sexual shame," as the initial reports clarified. Instead, the core issue revolved around the strict prohibition of "pornographic materials or devices" within the Kingdom of Bahrain. This conservative Gulf nation maintains stringent laws against anything considered obscene or morally offensive, a legal framework deeply rooted in its Islamic culture and societal norms. For any goods entering Bahrain, whether for civilians or military personnel, these local laws take precedence, making items like sex toys unequivocally illegal.
The most baffling aspect for Bennett and her team at Bonjibon was that their company does not, under any circumstances, ship products directly to Bahrain. Their operational policies explicitly acknowledge and respect local laws and regulations, preventing direct sales to countries where such items are prohibited. This crucial detail led Bennett to a logical conclusion: the packages must have been forwarded. She theorized that someone, likely a service member, contractor, or perhaps a family member, had ordered the items to a different, permissible address—perhaps in the United States or another country—and then subsequently arranged for them to be forwarded as part of a care package or personal shipment to Navy personnel stationed at the base in Bahrain. The fact that two separate packages were returned, roughly a month apart, suggests either a persistent individual or potentially multiple discreet customers attempting the same logistical workaround.
Bennett shared her amusement and bemusement with CTV News, stating, "We didn’t even know it (the product) was going to Bahrain until it came back to us months later, and it just kind of unraveled this whole… hilarious moment." Despite the unusual circumstances, Bonjibon’s ethos remains one of non-judgment and customer empowerment. "We don’t judge, we want everyone to order whatever they want and we want everyone to feel confident and start shopping for whatever they want," Bennett affirmed. However, she couldn’t help but notice the "juxtaposition of a military person in a foreign country ordering butt plugs and having no understanding that those items are illegal in the country that they’re in." This observation highlights a common challenge faced by expatriates and military personnel abroad: navigating the often-complex and sometimes contradictory landscapes of personal freedoms versus host nation laws.
Bennett’s playful exasperation was evident in her critique of the letters’ accusatory tone. "This sounds like a you problem," she retorted, adding the colloquialism, "The call was coming from inside the house." Her point was clear: the issue wasn’t Bonjibon knowingly flouting international shipping laws, but rather individuals associated with the US military base attempting to import prohibited items, thereby creating a logistical and diplomatic headache for the Pentagon.
To understand the Pentagon’s seemingly heavy-handed response, one must delve into the intricate regulations governing the movement of goods for US military personnel overseas. The Department of Defense’s Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) is responsible for air, land, and sea transportation, and it issues detailed instructions for shipping personal effects to various countries. Specifically for Bahrain, these regulations are outlined by the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP). Their 2024 instructions for Bahrain explicitly list a range of "prohibited items." This list is comprehensive and leaves little room for ambiguity, clearly including "pornographic material" such as "sex toys, handcuffs, nudity magazines, DVDs, etc."
Furthermore, a "Bahrain Moving Tips" leaflet issued by NAVSUP provides additional warnings. It unequivocally advises that "no pornographic material" should be brought or shipped into the conservative Gulf nation. The list of prohibited items extends beyond sexual paraphernalia to include alcohol, pork foodstuffs, poker chips, and any Israeli-made products—a reflection of Bahrain’s cultural, religious, and geopolitical stances. The leaflet also emphasizes the rigorous inspection process, stating that "100 percent of all shipments are x-rayed by Bahrain customs," and grimly warns that any confiscated items will be "destroyed."
These strict regulations are not arbitrary. They are put in place for several critical reasons. First and foremost, they are designed to ensure that US military personnel respect the sovereignty and laws of host nations. Failing to do so can lead to diplomatic incidents, strained relations, and even legal complications for individual service members, ranging from fines and detention to more severe disciplinary actions by both local authorities and the US military. Maintaining good relations with host countries like Bahrain, which is strategically vital for US naval operations in the Persian Gulf, is paramount. Violations, even seemingly minor ones related to personal items, can undermine trust and cooperation.
The broader context of sexuality within the US military also plays a role, albeit a more nuanced one. While the official reason for the Pentagon’s intervention was Bahraini law, the military has a long and complex history with issues of sexual expression, identity, and conduct. Sexual violence, for instance, remains a persistent and serious problem within the ranks, a stark contrast to the casual ordering of sex toys. Moreover, topics like gender identity and broader aspects of sexuality have historically been, and continue to be, "major points of contention" within the armed forces, as evidenced by past policies like "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" and ongoing debates about transgender service members. This underlying tension sometimes contributes to an environment where discussions about sexual health, pleasure, or even identity can be fraught, making the direct communication from the Pentagon about "butt plugs" particularly striking.
For the service members involved in this particular incident, the implications could extend beyond mere disappointment. Ignoring these clear directives, whether knowingly or unknowingly, could lead to disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) if deemed a violation of lawful orders or conduct unbecoming. It serves as a potent reminder that life on a military base abroad, even with its comforts and communities, is still subject to the laws and customs of the host nation, as well as strict military regulations.
Ultimately, Grace Bennett expressed genuine sadness for her customer or customers. "There’s many layers of hilarity to this that we can all just poke fun (at) and the situation is quite funny, while at the same time, I genuinely want everyone — I’m sad that they didn’t get their order," she concluded. The incident, while undeniably amusing on the surface, underscores the often-unseen complexities of global logistics, cultural differences, and the unique challenges faced by military personnel operating in diverse international environments. It’s a vivid illustration of where personal desires meet bureaucratic regulations and deeply ingrained cultural norms, sometimes with surprisingly public and entertaining outcomes. For Bonjibon, it was an unexpected moment of viral fame and an educational experience in the labyrinthine world of international shipping, reminding them that even the most private of pleasures can sometimes become a matter of diplomatic concern.
