U.S. officials cracking down on people trying to bring valuable eggs across the border

Border officials are ramping up efforts to crack down on egg smuggling, with a significant increase in egg-related seizures in the first two months of 2025. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported a 116 percent jump in egg interceptions compared to the same period last year, totaling 3,254 seizures.

The surge in egg seizures comes amid a drastic rise in wholesale egg prices due to a bird flu outbreak affecting laying hens. Despite President Donald Trump’s promise to lower egg prices, wholesale prices soared by 59 percent in February, the first full month of his administration. While wholesale prices are starting to decrease, the impact has not yet been felt on store shelves, according to the latest USDA egg markets overview.

Egg interceptions at the Detroit border crossing, where most eggs enter from Canada, have increased by 36 percent in the 2025 fiscal year compared to the same period in 2024. The rise in egg seizures reflects a broader trend of a 36 percent increase in eggs being detained at all ports of entry during the current fiscal year.

In contrast, fentanyl seizures by CBP have decreased by 32 percent in January and February 2025, compared to the same period last year. Despite concerns about the flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl across the border, the focus has shifted to combating the smuggling of eggs.

The latest data from CBP shows that most egg seizures occur after travellers voluntarily declare the product. The agency has issued warnings about smuggling raw eggs across the border from Mexico, with significant increases in egg interceptions reported in San Diego and El Paso. In El Paso alone, CBP agents have thwarted at least 90 attempts to smuggle raw eggs into the country since January.

The impact of egg smuggling and the bird flu outbreak on prices is significant, with a dozen Grade A eggs costing an average of $5.90 in U.S. cities in February, up 10.4 percent from a year ago. The rise in egg seizures underscores the challenges faced by border officials in controlling the illicit trade of goods, whether it be drugs like fentanyl or essential food items like eggs.