For seizure to be lawful, which is required?

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A lawful seizure must be grounded in formal legal authority. This means there is a recognized legal process—such as statutory authority, a court order, or other binding administrative authorization—that justifies taking possession. Having a legal process provides a clear basis for the seizure and creates a record that can be reviewed, protecting both public safety and individual rights. Relying on a verbal order, an informal agreement, or actions taken without any record does not establish real authority or accountability and can render the seizure unlawful. Automatic seizure without a record bypasses due process and leaves no trail for evidence handling or legal scrutiny. In CBP practice, seizing authorities must be supported by law and properly documented to ensure the seizure is admissible, enforceable, and defensible.