The CBP agents discovered what they described as a "plastic tray" and, after subjecting the shipment to an x-ray scan, found that it contained eight living reptiles, including three rare geckos and five King Cobras.
Opening the express mail package, the agents discovered styrofoam casing with rows of holes containing the animals.
After affirming their discovery, the CBP agents quickly alerted the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and handed the package over to the agency for closer examination, according to the New York Daily News.
Following an announcement of the seizure, Acting Director of New York Field Operations for the CBP Leon Hayward asserted that "Our CBP officers perform numerous daily tasks to protect the United States from potential dangers."
"This seizure demonstrates our wide-ranging responsibility in protecting our borders and our partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service," he added, cited by Business Insider.
The package was sent from Hong Kong, according to reports, and was discovered on June 29.
A prominent icon in Southeast Asian mythology, the King Cobra is the longest venomous snake on Earth, with some specimens reaching close to 19 feet.
