Due to a serious outbreak of avian influenza, CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) is reminding travelers that certain agricultural products, including raw eggs from Mexico, are prohibited from entering the United States. Undeclared items may result in fines.
This reminder comes considering a significant increase in prohibited food items brought by travelers from Mexico. The San Diego field office has reported a 158% increase in egg interceptions from October 2024 to the present. This surge highlights the need for increased awareness to protect American agriculture from potential disease risks.
“It is critical that we keep the traveling public informed to safeguard our agricultural industry while facilitating legitimate trade and travel,” said Sidney Aki, director of CBP field operations in San Diego.
According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the devastating outbreak of avian influenza has affected millions of domestic birds in the United States, contributing to rising egg and poultry prices. This outbreak, the worst on record, serves as a reminder of how human behaviors, such as transporting birds and poultry products, can contribute to 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 officials and agricultural specialists. Failure to report these items can result in fines of up to $10,000. Travelers are specifically prohibited from bringing fresh eggs, raw chicken, or live birds into the United States from Mexico. For more information about which products are allowed, please visit the “Bringing Agricultural Products into the United States” section of the CBP website.
As an additional note, travelers may be allowed to bring permitted food from Mexico through a passenger port of entry if the food is for personal use only. Food items imported for commercial purposes (intended for resale or distribution and not for personal use) must be properly imported at a loading facility.