Alleged egg smuggler stopped in Sydney

A Czech man who allegedly tried to smuggle 16 bird eggs into Australia by hiding them in his pants has been charged.

The 39-year-old was frisked at Sydney Airport by customs officers after arriving from Dubai on Tuesday.

"Officers ... allegedly found 16 small eggs concealed in his groin area," Customs NSW commander Tim Fitzgerald said.

Government vets are trying to identify the species of bird.

The man was due to appear in Sydney Central Court on Wednesday facing a charge of attempting to import regulated live specimens without a permit.

The maximum penalty for such offences is a fine of up to $170,000 and/or 10 years jail.