119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 5544
The Ejiao Act of 2025 prohibits the import, export, sale, and purchase of donkeys and donkey hides intended for producing ejiao—a gelatin used in traditional Chinese medicine and cosmetic products—as well as any products containing ejiao. The bill targets a global crisis where an estimated 8 to 10 million donkey skins are demanded annually to produce ejiao, but only about 1.8 million are supplied domestically in China, forcing the donkey skin trade to devastate populations across Africa and Latin America, particularly harming impoverished communities that depend on donkeys for farming, transportation, and survival. Violations carry significant penalties: civil fines up to $10,000 per violation, criminal fines up to $20,000 and up to 5 years imprisonment for importing or exporting donkeys or ejiao products, and forfeiture of seized goods and transportation equipment. The bill grants enforcement authority to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Interior, allowing officers to conduct border inspections, make arrests, and seize contraband, with rewards available for information leading to convictions or forfeitures.