We frequently act for Clients whose goods or vehicles have been seized by Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”). More often that one would think, these seizures involve goods or conveyances (e.g., tractor-trailers, utility vehicles, transport trailers) that are owned by a person other than the importer (e.g., lease goods, borrowed goods, goods subject to a PPSA security).
Where this happens, the true owner is a third party to the seizure but must often take specific steps to protect its legal interest in the seized property. If nothing is done, the owner can often find the goods subject to forfeit and sold or disposed of by CBSA!