Cargo held at the port, funds frozen by an agency, property taken under forfeiture law — government seizures can paralyze a business overnight. Transnational Matters PLLC challenges them as part of our international litigation practice. Moreover, import-heavy Miami is where much of this fight happens.
The Many Forms of Government Seizures
The label covers distinct regimes: customs seizures of imported goods, civil asset forfeiture of funds and property allegedly tied to crime, agency freezes under sanctions programs, and judicial attachments. Consequently, the response depends entirely on which agency took what, under which statute — deadlines differ, and some are brutally short.
Fighting Customs and Forfeiture Actions
For customs seizures, the choice between administrative petition and court referral shapes everything after. For civil forfeiture, claimants must act within strict windows to contest the taking, and the government must then prove the property’s connection to wrongdoing. In addition, innocent-owner defenses protect businesses whose property was misused by others. Our guide to resolving international trade disputes covers the customs side in depth.
Why Speed Decides Government Seizures
Every regime rewards early action: evidence is fresher, deadlines are alive, and agencies negotiate before positions harden. Therefore, treat the seizure notice as the start of a countdown — because it is.
FAQ: Government Seizures
How long do I have to contest government seizures?
Sometimes as little as 30 to 35 days from notice, depending on the regime. In short, calendar the deadline the day the notice arrives.
Can seized funds be released while the case proceeds?
Often, yes — through petitions, bonds, or hardship provisions. However, the availability depends on the statute and the agency’s posture.
Do government seizures mean criminal charges are coming?
Not necessarily. In fact, many seizures are purely civil or administrative — but we coordinate with criminal counsel whenever the risk profile suggests more.
Securing Legal Representation with Transnational Matters PLLC
The government moves first in a seizure; the business that responds fastest usually recovers most. Therefore, if you face government seizures of goods, funds, or property, act inside the deadlines. Contact Transnational Matters or call (305) 417-9866.
“The government took my goods” describes four different legal problems, each with its own clock: customs detentions and exclusions (administrative petitions and protest routes through CBP, with court review at the CIT); civil asset forfeiture (claim deadlines measured in weeks under CAFRA — miss them and the property is gone); OFAC blocking (frozen, not forfeited — the remedy is a specific license through our sanctions practice); and judicial attachments in litigation. The first task in every seizure case is identifying which regime you are in, because the wrong response to the right agency forfeits rights.