US Customs & Border Protection seize different types of eggs in Kentucky
US CBP has seen a 48% increase of raw/fresh eggs seized compared to last year and an increase in hatching egg shipments
25 March 2025
2 minute read
By: While US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has seen a 48% increase of raw/fresh eggs seized at the northern and southern border ports of entry compared to last year, different types of eggs are arriving at a different port of entry in the Midwest.
Starting in February CBP Agriculture Specialists (CBPAS) in Louisville, Kentucky have seen an increase in hatching egg shipment, and there have already been three seizures related to hatching eggs in March alone at the Louisville Port of Entry. Over two weeks, March 6 to March 20, CBPAS in Louisville seized 39 hatching eggs.
Hatching eggs are all avian species to include poultry, game birds, racing pigeons, and other birds--if there is a market for a live bird someone will try to import hatching eggs for them. These live eggs are shipped to the US for hatching or reproduction purposes. The eggs are commonly destined to be incubated, hatched and then raised.
For agriculture purposes, hatching eggs fall under the regulations for live animals (9CRF) and are highly regulated because they can carry Newcastle disease and/or Avian Influenza (HPAI).
"Our nation's food supply is constantly at risk to diseases not known to occur in the United States,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director, Field Operations, Chicago Field Office. “These interceptions highlight the vigilance and dedication our CBP Agriculture Specialists demonstrate, daily. They ensure the United States is safe from harmful diseases, which could affect our food supply.”
The three shipments arrived March 6, March 16, and March 19. The first two shipments from Turkey were heading to New York and Nevada. The latest shipment arrived from Romania and was transiting to Costa Rica.
In 2024, Louisville CBPAS seized 25 shipments containing a total of 519 eggs. They arrived from Turkey, Belgium, Romania and Singapore and were heading to both stateside locations and other countries.
CBP conducts operations at ports of entry throughout the United States and regularly screens arriving international passengers, mail and cargo for narcotics, weapons and other restricted or prohibited products.
