Authorities said Jose and Olga Jimenez of Hemet tried to smuggle the eggs into the US in 2014 in coolers under layers of ice, fish and shrimp.
At Friday's sentencing, a federal judge said the eggs did not survive being packed in ice for a 26-hour bus ride to the border.
The eggs are considered a delicacy and an aphrodisiac in Asia, where they may sell for hundreds of dollars.
The Jimenez's initially faced up to 50 years in prison and $1 million in fines, but prosecutors agreed to drop several charges when they agreed to a plea deal.