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Eggs & meat · Table eggs & egg products

Shell table eggs

Fresh hen eggs in shell for consumption, supplied in trays or cartons to a stated grade and weight class. Grade and size systems are market-specific: the EU uses classes A/B and weight grades XL–S, while the US uses grades AA, A and B with its own size classes.

Quick answer

Shell table eggs: Retail packs, foodservice and further processing where whole shell eggs are needed. In a request, state grade and weight class under the destination market's standard; shell colour, if required; packing: trays, cartons, case count and labelling language. HatchMatch reviews it and contacts suppliers for you; supplier, availability, price and origin are confirmed per request.

Request shell table eggs
Brown chicken eggs in moulded pulp egg trays
Photo: safaritravelplus, CC0, cropped and resized · Wikimedia Commons

Intended use: Retail packs, foodservice and further processing where whole shell eggs are needed.

General facts

About this type of product or system in general — not about any supplier.

Species
Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) unless otherwise stated
Purpose
Human consumption — not for incubation
EU weight grades
XL ≥ 73 g · L 63–73 g · M 53–63 g · S < 53 g[1]
US grades
AA, A and B (USDA standards)[2]
Indicative HS heading
0407.21 — indicative six-digit heading; the national tariff line and any ruling decide[4]

Traceability, packaging and logistics

Traceability
Ask how each pack or case identifies the producer, packing centre and lay or pack date, and how that links to flock records. Marking rules are set by the destination market.
Packaging
Moulded pulp or plastic trays (often 30 eggs), retail cartons, and outer cases on pallets. State tray type, case count, carton print and labelling language.
Handling and transport
Eggs travel in temperature-controlled storage where the destination requires it; condensation from temperature swings is a quality risk, so state the storage and transport conditions you need.

EU and US shell-egg grading compared

General guide — your specification and the destination's rules decide.

EU and US shell-egg grading compared
AspectEuropean UnionUnited States
QualityClass A (retail) and class BGrades AA, A and B (quality, not size)
SizePer egg: XL ≥73 g, L 63–73 g, M 53–63 g, S <53 gPer dozen (minimum net weight): Jumbo 30 oz … Peewee 15 oz
Producer markingCode: farming-method digit, country code, establishment IDNot part of the federal grade; buyer or state requirements apply
Date ruleBest-before no later than 28 days after layingSet by the applicable federal/state rules — confirm per destination

What to specify in your request

  • Grade and weight class under the destination market's standard
  • Shell colour, if required
  • Packing: trays, cartons, case count and labelling language
  • Quantity per delivery, frequency and programme length
  • Destination, Incoterm and required remaining shelf life
  • Production-system or other label claims you require, with the evidence you expect

Documents buyers commonly ask for

Where the product and route require them. Requirements differ by product and country; there is no single checklist.

  • Health or veterinary certificate required by the destination
  • Producer and packing-centre registration or approval, where required
  • Grading and packing records, lot identification
  • Evidence for any production-system or label claim

Who does what

You (buyer)
State your specification, destination and documents; you keep your own import permissions and due diligence.
HatchMatch
Reviews the request and contacts suppliers on your behalf. It does not produce, sell or export the goods.
Producers and suppliers
Respond through HatchMatch and are responsible for their products meeting the rules that apply.

Related guides

Related categories

Sources and references

Published standards and reference sources for context — not endorsements and not evidence about any supplier.

  1. European Union (EUR-Lex): Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2465 — marketing standards for eggs (replaced Regulation 589/2008) (checked 2026-10-23)
  2. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service: Shell egg grades and standards (checked 2026-10-23)
  3. FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius: Codes of practice (incl. CXC 15-1976 eggs and egg products; CXC 58-2005 meat) (checked 2026-10-23)
  4. World Customs Organization: HS Nomenclature 2022 edition (checked 2026-10-23)

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