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Mar 22, 2025

More eggs seized than fentanyl at US border amid bird flu outbreak

Federal data shows that eggs are being seized at U.S. borders more than the synthetic opioid fentanyl, a trend occurring amid an ongoing bird flu outbreak causing poultry shortages across the nation.

Federal data shows that eggs are being seized at U.S. borders more than the synthetic opioid fentanyl, a trend occurring amid an ongoing bird flu outbreak causing poultry shortages across the nation.

According to data collected by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), there have been 5,572 egg product seizures so far this fiscal year. There were about 15,955 such interceptions in fiscal year 2024 and 16,541 in fiscal year 2023, the data shows.

In contrast, border patrol officers have conducted 413 drug seizure events involving fentanyl, which equates to 6,184 pounds of the opioid, in fiscal year 2025, according to the data. In fiscal year 2024, there were 1,116 drug seizure events, which equated to 21,889 pounds of fentanyl.

USA TODAY contacted CBP on Thursday, and the federal agency said it is working on a response.

In February, the CBP's San Diego field office said it had seen a 158% increase in egg interceptions since fiscal year 2024. The field office also warned travelers that they may be subject to fines if they try bringing certain prohibited agricultural products, including raw eggs from Mexico, into the U.S. as they carry potential disease risks.

"It is critical that we keep our traveling public informed to safeguard our agricultural industry while continuing to facilitate legitimate trade and travel," Sidney Aki, CBP director of field operations in San Diego, said in a news release.

The field office also noted how the Department of Agriculture continues to battle a "devastating outbreak of avian influenza" that has killed millions of domestic birds in the U.S. and contributed to the rising egg and poultry prices.

"This ongoing bird flu outbreak, the worst on record, serves as a reminder of the role human behaviors, such as transporting birds and avian products, can play in disease transmission," the field office said. "Items like soiled bird cages or used egg cartons can spread diseases."

If a traveler does want to bring agricultural products into the U.S., they will need to declare the items to CBP officers and agriculture specialists, according to the field office. If individuals do not declare the products, they could receive fines of up to $10,000, the agency added.

Fresh eggs, raw chicken and live birds from Mexico are strictly prohibited from entering the U.S., the field office said. According to the CBP, all fruits and vegetables, plants and cut flowers, meat and animal products and live animals have to be declared before entering the country.

The illegal importing of eggs comes as prices climb and consumers' concerns persist. According to the latest consumer price index released last week, egg prices continued to rise in February, despite some easing of inflation.

The average U.S. city price of a dozen large grade A eggs, not seasonally adjusted, in February increased to $5.90, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is a jump from $4.95 in January and $4.14 in December.

Egg scarcity has even prompted the U.S. to reach out to Denmark and other European nations to ask if they can export eggs, the Nordic country's egg association said, according to Reuters. President Donald Trump swore to lower egg prices on his first day in office, but prices increased 59% on a year-on-year basis in February.