Not just a rumor

by Yvonne Radloff
2d Air Postal Squadron


***image1***Rumors have been flying about the Kinder Eggs – can they be mailed or not?
It’s a fact that Kinder Eggs can not be mailed in or out of the U.S. because they are prohibited. U.S. Customs will confiscate the items when they are detected.

There are two reasons why the Kinder Eggs are illegal in the U.S. One reason is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a news release that the toys are a choking hazard for small children. All of the toys are relatively small, and some contain even tinier pieces that need to be put together.

U.S. Customs issued USPS a reminder that the eggs are banned in the U.S. The Military Postal System is an extension of USPS and the same prohibitions apply. Aside from children potentially choking on the toys, another reason the Kinder Eggs are banned is the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938. This act prohibits the embedding of non-food items completely enclosed inside food items, unless the non-edible part has a functioning value.

U.S. Customs can levy fines on MPS patrons who mail prohibited items to the U.S. If you have any doubts about the legality of mailing certain items, call your local
postmaster.