Egg Smuggling Now Bigger Than Fentanyl at U.S. Borders

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is now taking more eggs than fentanyl at the country’s borders. The reason is high egg prices caused by bird flu. Since October, officers have confiscated 3,768 bird and poultry products, while only 352 fentanyl seizures happened. The rise in egg seizures shows how expensive eggs have become in the U.S. Many people are trying to bring them in from other countries to save money, but this is illegal and considered egg smuggling.

Egg Seizures Are Rising Quickly Across the Country

Egg seizures have increased sharply in many areas. The San Diego field office reported a 158% rise in confiscated eggs. In Detroit, seizures went up by 36%. This pattern is happening all over the country. The CBP has not shared the total number of eggs seized at the northern border. However, officials stress that bringing fresh eggs into the U.S. is against the law, and such activities are classified as egg smuggling. The main concern is preventing the spread of bird diseases that could harm American farms and food supplies. Anyone caught smuggling eggs can face a fine of up to $300.

Bird Flu Outbreak Has Made Eggs Much More Expensive

Egg prices in the U.S. have been rising because of an avian flu outbreak. The disease has affected 18.8 million commercial egg-laying hens. As a result, the cost of eggs has gone up. In December 2024, prices increased by 8.4%. In January, they rose another 13.8%. Experts predict that egg prices could rise another 41.1% in 2025. Many families are struggling to afford eggs, making egg smuggling tempting for people to try to bring them in illegally from other countries.

The U.S. Government Plans to Import More Eggs to Lower Prices

The Trump administration is working on a plan to bring in 100 million eggs over the next two months. The goal is to increase supply and lower prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is talking to countries like Poland, France, and Indonesia to buy eggs. The Netherlands, which used to be a key egg supplier, may also start exporting to the U.S. again. Other countries, including Spain and Indonesia, are considering whether they can meet the strict U.S. import rules. However, shipping eggs internationally is complicated. Egg smuggling might seem like an attractive option in light of this complexity.

Importing Eggs Comes With Many Challenges and Limitations

Bringing eggs into the U.S. is not easy. Eggs are fragile and do not last long. They must also meet strict U.S. health and safety rules. Because of these challenges, importing enough eggs to lower prices may not be possible. Another problem is that the global egg supply is already limited. Only 3% of eggs worldwide are traded between countries. This makes it difficult for the U.S. to buy enough eggs to solve the price problem quickly. Egg smuggling poses a significant challenge to maintaining biosecurity.

Trump Says He Will Lower Grocery Prices if Elected Again

Former President Donald Trump has spoken out about the rising cost of eggs. He shared an article that claimed high egg prices were not his fault. Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk wrote that most price increases happened while Biden was still in office. Kirk blamed the Biden administration for making the bird flu outbreak worse. Trump has promised to lower grocery prices, including eggs, on “day one” if he is elected again. Many voters will be watching to see if egg prices change in the coming months. However, some are skeptical given the ongoing issue of egg smuggling.