H.R. 5544: Ejiao Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Ejiao Act of 2025, seeks to address issues related to the production and trade of a product known as ejiao, which is derived from the hides of donkeys. The following points summarize the key aspects of the bill:

Findings

The bill begins with a series of findings regarding ejiao:

• Ejiao is a gelatin made from donkey skins, commonly used in traditional medicine and luxury products.
• The trade of donkey skins for ejiao production is harming global donkey populations and disadvantaging communities that rely on donkeys for their livelihoods.
• Studies suggest that alternatives to ejiao exist, which do not require the use of donkey skins.
• Millions of donkeys are killed every year for their hides, significantly impacting their populations worldwide, especially in Africa and Latin America.
• The demand for donkey skins far exceeds the supply, resulting in unsustainable practices and increased illegal trade.
• Some countries have attempted to ban donkey skin trade; however, these bans are often poorly enforced.
• The U.S. is one of the top importers of ejiao, indicating a significant market for it.

Prohibitions

To combat these issues, the bill prohibits several actions:

• It forbids the import, export, transportation, sale, or purchase of donkeys or their hides for the purpose of producing ejiao.
• It also prohibits the import, export, transportation, sale, or purchase of any products that contain ejiao.

Penalties and Sanctions

The legislation outlines penalties for violating these prohibitions:

• Individuals or entities engaging in prohibited activities may face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.
• More serious violations, particularly those involving higher value transactions, could result in fines of up to $20,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years.
• Additional provisions outline processes for reviewing civil penalties and the potential seizure of products, equipment, and conveyances involved in illegal activities.

Forfeiture

Any donkeys, hides, or products made from ejiao that are involved in violations of this act may be subject to forfeiture by the U.S. government.

Enforcement

The enforcement of the regulations established by this bill will primarily be the responsibility of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with potentially other federal and state agencies.

Definitions

The bill provides definitions for key terms used within the legislation, clarifying what constitutes a donkey, ejiao, import, and what is meant by “taken.”

Relevant Companies

None found.