Shell eggs are produced on farms with a few thousand laying chickens or in large laying complexes with over a million layers. All shell eggs are eligible for the grading and certification services provided by the AMS Poultry Programs.

Eggs reach their destinations fresh, of high quality, and in good condition, thanks in part to knowledgeable buyers and sellers. Many shell egg producers, packers, processors, wholesalers, food manufacturers, food service operators, food retailers, and consumers rely on USDA's shell egg grading services to ensure that their requirements for quality, weight, condition, or other factors are met.

The Export Certification of Shell Eggs requires the verification and issuance of specific certification statements based upon the requirements of the destination country – The Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program is recognized by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA, as a competent authority to verify and certify authorized animal health statements for egg-laying flocks. Export certification of shell eggs includes the issuance of the Disease Free statements that must be presented at the point of entry to the declared destination foreign country.