The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a reminder to travelers that certain agricultural products, including raw eggs from Mexico, are prohibited from entering the United States. Undeclared items may result in fines.
This advisory comes in response to a significant increase in the number of prohibited foods brought by travelers from Mexico. The San Diego field office reported a 158% rise in egg interceptions since October 2024. This increase highlights the need for greater awareness to protect U.S. agriculture from potential disease risks.
"It is crucial that we keep our traveling public informed to safeguard our agricultural industry while continuing to facilitate legitimate trade and travel," stated Sidney Aki, director of field operations for CBP in San Diego.
According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a devastating avian influenza outbreak has affected millions of domestic birds in the United States, contributing to rising egg and poultry prices. This current avian flu outbreak, the worst on record, serves as a reminder of the role human behaviors can play, such as transporting birds and avian products, in disease transmission. Items like dirty bird cages or used egg cartons can spread diseases, including virulent Newcastle disease.
Travelers must declare all agricultural products to CBP officers and agriculture specialists; failure to declare can lead to fines up to $10,000. Travelers are prohibited from bringing fresh eggs, raw chicken, or live birds into the United States from Mexico. For more information on permitted products, visit the "Bringing Agricultural Products into the United States" section on the CBP website.
As an additional reminder, travelers may bring permitted foods from Mexico through a passenger port of entry if they are for personal use only. Food items imported for commercial purposes (intended for resale or distribution and not personal use) must be properly imported at a cargo facility.
Follow the director of CBP's San Diego field office at @DFOSanDiegoCA for breaking news, current events, human interest stories, and photographs.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on land, air, and sea. They facilitate safe lawful travel and trade while ensuring economic prosperity through innovation, intelligence collaboration, and trust.
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