U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently reported a 108% increase in egg and poultry seizures at the southern border between Oct 1 and Dec 31, 2022, according to Border Report.
The smuggling spike is attributed to the avian flu outbreak that caused 43 million chickens to be put down, resulting in a drastic rise in egg prices across the country.
Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico experienced the most significant price hikes, with the cost of a dozen eggs increasing by 64%, The Blaze reports. Oregon, California, and Washington saw an 18% increase during the same period.
CBP’s San Diego field office director Jennifer De La O took to Twitter to remind people that uncooked eggs are prohibited from entering the U.S. from Mexico. Failure to declare agricultural items can result in penalties of up to $10,000.
However, CBP Supervisory Agriculture Specialist Charles Payne clarified that the $10,000 penalty is typically meant for undeclared illegal commercial shipments, not individuals. Individuals who attempt to smuggle a modest number of eggs into the U.S. will likely face civil penalties closer to $300.
The specialist advised people not to bring eggs over and to declare them if they do.
“The advantage of declaring it is, we will pick it up with no penalty issued,” Payne said. “If you fail to declare it or if you attempt to smuggle it, there’s going to be a penalty.”
Joe Biden’s administration saw inflation jump at its fastest pace in 40 years.
