U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists assigned to the Tucson Field Office seized a box of raw bird eggs last Wednesday.
CBP officers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport referred a passenger on an international flight from Kenya via London for an intensive agriculture inspection upon arrival. An agriculture specialist located a plastic box inside a suitcase containing 103 small eggs. When asked, the owner claimed they were to be used as medicine for her heart. The prohibited eggs were seized under 9 CFR 94 Prohibited and Restricted Importations of Animals and Animal Products. The regulation restricts importation of meat; milk and milk products; meat products of swine; meat and eggs of poultry; organs; glands; and regulated garbage.
The woman was not assessed a penalty but was informed not to bring these items in the future, and the need to declare all food items promptly, or risk a penalty. The passenger was released without further incident. The eggs were destroyed as per port policy.