A Toronto-based sex toy shop, Bonjibon, found itself in an unexpected situation when it received a letter from the Pentagon requesting it to stop sending butt plugs to military personnel stationed at a naval base in Bahrain. According to cofounder Grace Bennett, the discovery unfolded after the shop opened two returned packages that had been sent back from the U.S. base.
The letters from the Pentagon highlighted that certain “pornographic materials or devices” are prohibited in Bahrain, a conservative Gulf nation. Bennett noted that her store does not ship products to Bahrain due to local laws and regulations, suggesting that the packages had likely been forwarded to Navy personnel from another location. “We didn’t even know it was going to Bahrain until it came back to us months later, and it just kind of unraveled this whole… hilarious moment,” she stated.
Bennett expressed amusement at the situation but also pointed out the seriousness of the misunderstanding. “I mean, we don’t judge. We want everyone to order whatever they want and feel confident,” she explained. Yet, she found it concerning that military personnel might order items that are illegal in the host country.
The Pentagon’s Transportation Command issues strict guidelines concerning what can and cannot be shipped to Bahrain. In its 2024 instructions, it explicitly lists “pornographic material,” which includes sex toys, as prohibited. The Navy’s Naval Supply Systems Command also emphasizes in its “Bahrain Moving Tips” leaflet that no such items should be brought into the country, alongside other restricted items like alcohol and pork products.
As part of its customs process, Bahrain x-rays all shipments, and any items deemed inappropriate can be confiscated and destroyed.
In a broader context, the incident reflects the complexities of military life and cultural sensitivities. Sexuality remains a taboo subject within the U.S. military, where issues such as sexual violence and gender identity are ongoing challenges.
Bennett expressed disappointment that her customers did not receive their orders, despite the humor in the situation. “There are many layers of hilarity to this that we can all just poke fun at, while at the same time, I genuinely want everyone — I’m sad that they didn’t get their order,” she remarked.
This incident serves as a reminder of the cultural sensitivities that exist in international military contexts and the need for awareness among service members regarding local laws and customs.
