APHIS requires an import permit for fertilized chicken eggs, and shipments must be accompanied by a health certificate from the competent authority of the exporting country attesting that the flock of origin is free from specified diseases, including avian influenza and exotic Newcastle disease. The eggs must also meet specific packaging and labeling requirements. APHIS may impose additional conditions based on the disease status of the country of origin at the time of importation.

Fertilized eggs are often preferred over live chicks or adult breeding stock because they are easier to transport, have lower biosecurity risk during transit, and allow the importer to hatch and acclimate birds under domestic biosecurity protocols. For elite genetic lines — particularly from UK and French breeding companies that dominate global broiler and layer genetics — importing fertilized eggs is the standard commercial pathway for introducing new bloodlines into a US flock.