top of page

Hey — Don’t Lose Your Car to CBP. Know Your 20-Day or 30-Day Deadline!

  • Writer: T.F. Moroney
    T.F. Moroney
  • Jun 1
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jun 3

Hey, I get it — getting that letter from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a gut punch. One minute, you’re driving your car, and the next, it’s locked up in a warehouse somewhere. Maybe it was a paperwork issue. Maybe they thought it was imported wrong. Either way, it feels like your car’s just gone.


But here’s the thing most people miss. You’ve still got a shot to get your car back — if you move fast enough.



Here’s the Part That Trips People Up

Most folks think, “I’ll wait until I get the notice in the mail.” But CBP starts the clock the day they issue the notice, not the day you get it. So if the mail takes a week — guess what? You’ve already burned seven days.


That’s why I always tell people — the date at the top of the notice is everything. Check it. Count your days. And don’t wait.


Why I’m Telling You This

I spent years on the other side of the seizure process, working within the system that takes vehicles away. I saw too many people lose their cars because they missed deadlines or didn’t understand the rules. That’s why I started Petition Guy.


I’m here to help you navigate this maze. I know it’s confusing. I know it feels like the government holds all the cards. But trust me — you’ve got rights, and there’s a process. You just need to know how to use it.


Here’s What to Do Right Now

✅ Find the date CBP put on the seizure notice — it’s usually near the top.

✅ Decide how you want to fight:— Administrative Petition? You’ve got 30 days.— Court Claim? You’ve got 20 days.

✅ File on time — or risk losing your car forever.


Even When the Deadline’s Already Running

Here’s the deal. The U.S. Government is moving to make your vehicle or property theirs—no questions asked.


They’ve got the rules stacked in their favor. Deadlines that run from the date they sign the notice, not the day you open it. And every day you wait? That’s another day they tighten their grip.


So let’s not play their game.


Pick up the phone. Call me. We’ll figure this out together—step by step. No surprises. No confusion. Just a clear plan to get your property back in your hands where it belongs.

Time is their weapon. Let’s make sure it doesn’t become yours.



 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page