Ejiao Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Beyer
Introduced
Summary
A federal ban on ejiao and donkey hides would stop the import, sale, and interstate transport of donkeys, donkey hides, and any products containing ejiao. The bill pairs that ban with civil and criminal penalties and forfeiture powers to help enforce the restriction.
Show full summary
- Importers, wholesalers, and online sellers would be barred from bringing or selling donkeys, donkey hides, or products containing ejiao across state or international lines. The United States is identified as the third-largest importer with about $12 million in annual ejiao imports.
- The bill responds to reported declines in donkey populations and international action such as an African Union moratorium, and it enables seizure and forfeiture of animals and products tied to the ejiao trade.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Secretary of the Interior would lead enforcement, with civil fines up to $10,000 per violation and criminal penalties that can include fines and up to 5 years in prison. The law would allow forfeiture of animals, hides, products, and equipment and creates a rewards program funded from penalties.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Stronger border checks and seizures for ejiao
CBP and the Interior Department would enforce this Act. They could use other federal, state, or tribal staff by agreement. Officers could carry firearms, make arrests, and use warrants, subject to normal rules. Officials could detain and inspect containers from abroad or before export; a bond could be accepted instead of holding items.
Rewards for tips and caring for donkeys
CBP or the Interior Secretary could pay rewards for tips that lead to arrests, penalties, or forfeitures. They could also reimburse reasonable costs to care for a seized donkey while a case is pending. Payments would come from money collected as fines, penalties, or forfeitures. Government employees acting in their official jobs would not be eligible.
Fines, jail, and forfeiture for ejiao trade
If enacted, two criminal tiers would apply. For items worth over $350, knowing violators could face up to a $20,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison. Other knowing violations could bring up to a $10,000 fine and up to 1 year in prison. CBP could also assess up to $10,000 per civil violation, and each act would count separately. Illegal animals, products, and some equipment could be forfeited; violators may owe storage costs, and you could seek court review of a civil penalty within 30 days.
Nationwide ban on donkey and ejiao trade
This bill would ban importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, or buying donkeys, donkey hides, or any product containing ejiao in U.S. interstate or foreign commerce. Online sales would also be covered. The ban would apply only to conduct in commerce and to people who act knowingly. It would not change protections for donkey species already listed under the Endangered Species Act.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Beyer
VA • D
Cosponsors
Steube
FL • R
Sponsored 9/23/2025
Titus
NV • D
Sponsored 9/23/2025
Fitzpatrick
PA • R
Sponsored 9/23/2025
Gottheimer
NJ • D
Sponsored 9/23/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 9/23/2025
Schweikert
AZ • R
Sponsored 9/26/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 10/28/2025
Krishnamoorthi
IL • D
Sponsored 11/25/2025
Lofgren
CA • D
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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