Shipping eggs from Puerto Rico?

My inlaws live next door and now they have become hooked on hatching eggs, etc. So they are building their own coop when they get back from Puerto Rico in about 2 weeks. They were thinking of bringing back some fertile eggs from their family's farm there. But I told them I'd ask you guys about it.

1-Has anyone done this or had some shipped to or from Puerto Rico?

2-Would they let them take the eggs on the plane with them? Would flying hurt them?

3-If they shipped them from Puerto Rico they will probably be flown in as well... wondering if they would X-ray them, etc?

Soooo, what do you think, would the eggs make it and hatch?

I am in the process of getting my import license to transport eggs and chicks from out of the country. I was told that it was a 25,000.00 fine to illegally ship eggs into the USA. I would make sure that you can ship first

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Isn't Puerto Rico an American Territory? No customs to worry about. If you do not have any State regulations, then no problem.
Eggs are not on the prohibited carry on list, so carry them on and insist on hand inspection. This may take a bit of talking, but it can be done. If anyone objects, ask what law or regulation they are basing their objection on.

Yes, Puerto Rico is an American territory, no passport required. (If there were a draft in the US, Puerto Rican residents can be called in the draft. FYI)

Do you think the altitude would hurt them any?

I wouldn't think it could hurt any worse than traveling through the mail. You won't know unless you try. Go for it if you can!!

They would be inside a pressurized cabin instead of the mail bag in the cargo bay. Much better.

Thanks! Wasn't sure if abrupt altitude change would bother them.

I'll tell them to bring them back ON the plane with them.

Of course, I'm trying to con them into just getting HUGE Cochins here.

Every state has health requirements for poultry imported into it. It dosen't make any difference if it is from Indiana to Ohio or Puerto Rico to Florida or Zaire to California. BTW Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the US and Puerto Ricans are US citizens.
Every state has laws on the books regarding Pullorum. That is the single easiest way for state ag officials to block the admission of poultry they are suspect of. If the state inspection service becomes interested in eggs not accompanied by a health certificate it will probably be because the USDA inspectors tipped them off.
Agricultutral items from PR entering the US are of great concern to the USDA. In fact you have to go thru a USDA inspection if your destination is the USA. In the past the USDA has been most concerned with translocating plant diseases but it has been expanded to other ag items recently. Puerto Rico because of it's location, climate, past experiences with Africa and the general who cares attitude of the residents causes concern. You would not belive some of the disease and parasite situations I have observed on the island. they have some doozies. If I were in charge of Florida I wouldn't let any poultry come into the state from PR. The only poultry in PR that is of value on par with ours are fighting chickens. Fighting chickens are the most popular hobby on the island.
Likewise the importation of poultry into PR is subject to stringent enforcement. They have a huge poultry industry there and are very interested in protecting it from any more disease. I have taken show chicken eggs with me to PR in the past but I don't think I would do it again these days. Puerto Rican jails are not a country club atmosphere.
I am going to the island to visit and dive this summer. I will know more about the current enfforcement level after that.
Transportinghatching eggs in the pressurized cabin of an aircraft and security X-Ray dosen't hurt them at all.

I tried to get eggs from PR and was told not with out the proper documentation. That was last year almost to the date. The person that one is getting the eggs from has to have a health certificate and their flock be tested for certain diseases. That is what I was told last year.

Great thanks for the info!