Elsa
Lawyer · Lisbon, Portugal
- 640 cases handled
- 29+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Portuguese
- Law, Autonoma University Lisbon
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4.88(11 reviews)
Customs Seizure of Goods in Portugal
This page is for a person or company whose goods, vehicle or cash were seized by Portuguese customs at an airport, port, border or parcel depot. It explains why seizures happen, the administrative and criminal tracks and how release is pursued.
About Customs Seizure of Goods in Portugal
Customs seizure of goods in Portugal, in Portuguese apreensão by the Alfândega, which is part of the tax and customs authority (AT), covers goods seized by customs, a vehicle seized at a border or port, and cash seized at an airport for lack of a declaration. The seizure is the first step of either an administrative process (processo de contraordenação) or a criminal investigation, and the owner's aim is usually the return of the property (restituição) or at least a fair outcome on its value. This page is information, not legal advice. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Seizure of Goods”.
Who needs this
A traveller whose luggage, cash or purchases were held, an online buyer whose parcel was stopped, a person moving to Portugal whose vehicle or household goods were seized, a transport company whose lorry or boat carried goods under suspicion, and anyone who received a letter saying that seized goods will be forfeited to the state (perda a favor do Estado).
How it works in Portugal
- The seizure record. Customs draw up a record (auto de apreensão) describing the goods, the reason and the suspected offence. Keeping a copy, and asking for one if none was given, is the first step.
- The administrative track. For a contraordenação aduaneira the AT runs the process and decides on a fine (coima) and on the goods: return, sometimes against payment of duties or a security (garantia), or forfeiture. The owner can file a written defence and later challenge the decision in court.
- The criminal track. Where the facts point to smuggling, money laundering or another crime, the goods stay seized as evidence and the public prosecutor or the court decides on their return.
- Vehicles and tools. A vehicle used to carry the goods can be seized as an instrument of the offence, including a rented or company vehicle, which brings the hire company or employer into the process.
What to pay attention to
Deadlines to respond are short and start from the notification, which may go to an address in Portugal rather than abroad. Perishable or stored goods generate costs and may be sold or destroyed before the case ends. Proof of ownership, purchase and origin is what moves a release request. Undeclared cash is treated under its own rules, with the possibility of seizure even where the money is lawful.
What an English-speaking lawyer does
The lawyer obtains the seizure record and the file, identifies the track and the authority in charge, files the defence or the release request, offers a security where that allows an early return, represents the owner before the court and deals with the AT while the owner is abroad under a power of attorney. Fines imposed by other public bodies are described under fines and administrative penalties; seized substances follow the rules under drug possession and trafficking offences. More on criminal law in Portugal.
Questions and answers
Can I get my goods back while the case is open?
Sometimes, against payment of the duties or a security, when the goods are not needed as evidence and are not prohibited. The lawyer asks the authority in charge and argues the request.
Customs seized my cash at Lisbon airport. Is the money lost?
Not necessarily. The money is held during the administrative process; proof of its lawful origin and purpose supports a request for its return, with or without a fine, unless a criminal investigation keeps it as evidence.
My rental car was seized because of what a passenger carried. What now?
The hire company is the owner and will usually be notified; the hirer may face the company's claim under the contract and may need to show that they did not know about the goods. Both relationships need attention at once.
3 lawyers who provide Customs Seizure of Goods in Portugal
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Carolina
Lawyer · Lisbon, Portugal
- 366 cases handled
- 4+ years in practice
- Speaks: Spanish, English, Portuguese
- Law, University of Coimbra
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4.91(11 reviews)
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Jorge
Lawyer · Porto, Portugal
- 116 cases handled
- 9+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Portuguese
- Law, Coimbra
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5.00(6 reviews)
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
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3 registered lawyers provide this service in Portugal. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
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What our clients say about our service in Portugal
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The professionalism far exceeded what I have been used to with similar practices in other European countries. The lawyer was very caring and sensitive in assisting with a very emotional family bereavement in the Algarve.
— Ian07 Sep 2026Assistance with Motor Vehicle Processes, Portugal -
Her service was first class, the best I could have hoped for. She was helpful at every turn and happily explained whatever I had not understood, and I was completely satisfied with the outcome. The survey cannot capture the extent of what she did for my family. Her grasp of her field, and explaining everything in both Portuguese and English, is amazing. I am deeply grateful.
— Sonia07 May 2026 -
He is an excellent lawyer and a true professional. I used his services on two occasions: first a consultation in the summer of 2025 about the best way for a US citizen like me to get a Portuguese visa, and then, most recently, to get a marriage license in Portugal. Since my wife and I left it quite late, we took him on in a rush, close to the deadline, and he finished everything extremely quickly and helped us collect and translate the required documents. His English is flawless, so we never had trouble understanding him, and communication was great throughout. The whole process was incredibly smooth. He even gave us additional service beyond what we had hired him for, and he made the entire thing stress-free. If you need any legal assistance, I highly recommend him; he is our lawyer of choice in Portugal.
— Ryan19 Mar 2026 -
The lawyer was very supportive and helpful. I feel lucky to have chosen her to assist with what turned out to be a very complicated sale, and her English was perfect. I am very grateful for all her work, help and advice and would highly recommend her to anyone.
— Louise26 Feb 2025 -
Real expertise in her field, good understanding and great communication, finding what works best for her clients. Honest, well spoken, and perfect English.
— Fernando30 Nov 2023 -
The lawyer pulled me out of trouble quickly. What I badly needed was exactly what I got: prompt answers, understanding, good value for money, and the ability to explain matters and propose fitting solutions. His English is flawless as well. For approachability and professionalism he cannot be beaten. For comparison, I have been through three other accountants since settling in Portugal, and none of them achieved much. Two of them gave me wrong advice that ended in fines, and their communication was dreadful. Thanks.
— John02 Nov 2022Fiscal Advice, Portugal -
The lawyer was quick to respond and an effective communicator, and his English was perfect. He sent good email replies to clarify after the call. I am happy with the value and appreciated his straightforwardness. Hopefully the solution works, but it seems the best and easiest option I have been given so far.
— James20 Oct 2022Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) Tax Status Application, Portugal -
We hired the lawyer for two matters: our Portuguese residency, and transferring ownership of the property we had bought. We are delighted to rate him 5 stars on both, as he proved helpful, professional and highly competent and finished the two tasks with no problems. We will certainly use him again.
— Allan17 Oct 2022 -
The lawyer and her team responded to our inquiry straight away and stayed just as responsive for the entire service. Her team clearly grasped our needs and objectives, and thanks to their network of established local contacts they achieved our goals on time, with professionalism and competence. She always offered to be available, herself or through her team, for any questions or concerns we had, and she has kept in touch to support us throughout the visa process, in English that was flawless. She clearly exceeded our expectations. We are completely satisfied, and we will no doubt have further legal matters in the future and have no hesitation in asking her to help us with all sorts of Portuguese legal questions. All in all, a fantastic job, and a huge thanks to the team and the service.
— Edwin04 Oct 2022 -
The lawyer was very helpful with my questions about receiving an inheritance and drafting powers of attorney for my brother. She invested a lot of additional time in understanding what the banks need from the POA that has to be shown to the different banks. Her English was perfect, and I would definitely use her again for other Portuguese legal matters.
— Odete20 Sep 2022 -
He is excellent at what he does, and I really appreciated the opportunity to use remote services. He answered all my questions and helped solve my problem, and his English was perfect.
— Patricija01 Apr 2022 -
The lawyer understood my case quickly and solved it professionally, and I also got tips and suggestions about my finances. He is a very kind person, and I was so satisfied with the result that I will keep consulting him in the future.
— Fernando28 Feb 2022General Tax Services, Portugal