CNN —
High prices are fueling an increase in attempts to bring eggs from Mexico to the United States, according to border officials.
Officials with the San Diego Customs and Border Protection Bureau have observed an increase in attempts to ship eggs across the U.S.-Mexico border. According to a tweet from Director of Field Operations Jennifer De La O.
“The San Diego Field Office has recently noted an increase in the number of eggs intercepted at our ports of entry,” De La O wrote in Tuesday’s tweet. “As a reminder, uncooked eggs cannot be brought into the United States from Mexico. Failure to declare agricultural items can result in penalties of up to $10,000.”
Importing undercooked eggs from Mexico into the U.S. is illegal, according to Customs and Border Protection because of the risk of bird flu and Newcastle disease, a contagious virus that affects birds.
In an emailed statement to CNN, Gerrelaine Alcordo, public affairs specialist at Customs and Border Protection, attributed the rise in attempted egg smuggling to the rising price of eggs in the US. A massive outbreak of deadly bird flu among American chicken flocks has sent egg prices skyrocketing, rising 11.1% from November to December and 59.9% annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The surge was reported at the Tijuana-San Diego intersection, as well as “other southwestern border locations,” Alcordo said.
For the most part, travelers bringing eggs have declared the eggs upon crossing the border. “If that happens, the person can abandon the product with no consequences,” Alcordo said. “CBP farming specialists will collect the eggs (and other prohibited food/agricultural products) and then destroy them as is the routine procedure.”
In some cases, travelers did not declare their eggs and the products were discovered during inspection. In those cases, the eggs were confiscated and the travelers were fined $300, Alcordo explained.
“Penalties may be higher for repeat offenders or commercial-size imports,” he added.
Alcordo emphasized the importance of declaring all food and agricultural products when traveling.
“Although many items are permitted, it is best to declare them to avoid potential fines and penalties if found to be prohibited,” he said. “If they are declared and deemed forbidden, they can be abandoned without consequence. If they are not declared and then discovered during an inspection, penalties will be imposed on the traveler.”