19 U.S.C. § 1462 : US Code - Section 1462: Forfeiture

Search 19 U.S.C. § 1462 : US Code - Section 1462: Forfeiture

If such owner, agent, or other person shall fail to comply with
his demand, the officer shall retain such trunk, traveling bag,
sack, valise, or other container or closed vehicle, and open the
same, and, as soon thereafter as may be practicable, examine the
contents, and if any article subject to duty or any article the
importation of which is prohibited is found therein, the whole
contents and the container or vehicle shall be subject to
forfeiture.