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IMPORT REQUIREMENTS - TABLE EGGS

AND EGGS FOR FURTHER PROCESSING

(Excludes breaking stock, and eggs for hard cooking and in-shell pasteurization)

APHIS Requirements: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) regulates the importation of animals and animalderived materials to ensure that exotic animal and poultry diseases are not introduced into the United States. 

Importers should contact the APHIS Import staff to determine a foreign country’s eligibility to export to the 

U.S. Permits may be required for some countries. 

For detailed information on APHIS requirements:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/downloads/importer_letter_shell_eggs.pdf

For questions, please contact the APHIS Import staff at:

National Import Export Services

4700 River Road

Riverdale, MD 20737

Office: 301-851-3300

Press Option 1

(301) 851-3300

AskNIES.Products@aphis.usda.gov

FDA Requirements: Foreign producers must comply with all of the requirements of the Food and Drug 

Administration’s (FDA) “Egg Rule” found in 21 CFR Part 118 – Production, Storage, and Transportation of 

Shell Eggs, available at:

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title21/21cfr118_main_02.tpl.

A synopsis of the requirements is available here “Egg Rule at a Glance”: 

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/GuidanceRegulation/UCM232271.pdf.

• However, it’s important to also read the regulations in their entirety at the link in item 1 above 

rather than relying solely on the synopsis.

Egg farms can register with FDA here: http://www.access.fda.gov/. Under “FURLS Shell Egg Producer 

Registration Module (SEPRM),” select “help,” then “create account.”

Questions for FDA: (888) 723-3366
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AMS Requirements: Application to import shell eggs for table use into the U.S. must be made on Form 

LPS-222 and be accompanied by a foreign inspection certificate, and a copy of the label information outlined 

below. 

Import details can be found at: 7 CFR Part 57

(Refer to 7 CFR Parts 57.900 – 970) 

1. Foreign Inspection Certificate must contain the following information (7 CFR Part 57.915)

a. Name of country exporting product

b. City, and Date where issued

c. Quality or Description of the eggs

d. Number of cases and total quantity (in dozens)

e. Identification Marks on containers

f. Name and Address, of Exporter

g. Name and Address, of Importer

h. Certify that the description of the shell eggs including date of pack is accurate.

i. Certify that the shell eggs were stored and transported under refrigeration at an

ambient temperature of 45 ̊F/7.2 ̊C or less.

j. Name, Title and Signature of individual(s) authorized to issue inspection

certificates for shell eggs exported to the United States

2. Labeling of containers of eggs for importation (7 CFR Part 57.950)

No labels may be false or misleading. 

Cartons of shell eggs for import shall bear a label, printed in English showing: 

a. Name of the product

b. Name of country of origin preceded by the words “Product of”

c. Quality or description of shell eggs, including date of pack

d. “Keep Refrigerated” or words of similar meaning

e. Name and place of business of producer, packer or distributor qualified by a phrase

indicating the connection the person has with the product.

f. Accurate statement of quantity

3. Labeling of shipping containers of eggs for importation (7 CFR Part 57.955)

No labels may be false or misleading.

Shipping cases of shell eggs for import shall bear a label, printed in English showing: 

a. Common name of the product

b. Name of the country of origin

c. Quality or description of shell eggs

d. “Keep Refrigerated” or words of similar meaning.
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4. Form LPS-222. In advance of arrival complete sections A, B, C, and D of Form, LPS-222, Import

Request (Shell Eggs). The Form, LPS-222 is available at the following link:

LPS Form - 222

E-mail completed Form LPS-222, along with a copy of the foreign health certificate and label(s) to:

QAD.importrequesteggs@ams.usda.gov

Alternatively, the form may be sent via mail to: Quality Assessment Division

Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program 

Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA

Room 3932-S, Stop 0258 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20250 

The applicable documents will be reviewed for accuracy, assigned an AMS import permit number, and 

returned to the individual/company who submitted the paperwork. The completed Form LPS-222 must be 

presented to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agency at the border for a conditional release of the 

product. Product may be subject to an additional inspection by USDA/ AMS personnel before a final release 

of the product is granted. 

AMS Contact: Jeff Shomaker, 202-720-2153 

Jeff.Shomaker@ams.usda.gov,