Yes, more eggs are being smuggled across the border due to rising prices

HOUSTON. Egg prices are skyrocketing and many people are finding alternative ways to get them, even if it’s illegal.

The US Customs and Border Protection said it is seeing a huge increase in egg smuggling at borders.

“We have recorded a roughly 300 percent increase in raw egg interception at our ports of entry in South Texas,” said Rick Pausa. “November 22 to mid-January this year, more than 330 interceptions of eggs.”

That’s up from 84 in the same two-month period last year.

Pausa said border guards saw eggs hidden under clothing and in luggage. He said typical egg seizures are usually for personal use, not distribution.

The penalty for being caught smuggling eggs is usually $300 for the first offense. The second time you get caught, you face a fine of around $500.

Eggs are usually prohibited from being declared from another country in order to control the spread of diseases such as bird flu, better known as bird flu.

Since February last year, 43 million laying hens have been affected by bird flu in the United States.

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