Ejiao Act of 2023

The Ejiao Act of 2023 prohibits the import, export, transportation, sale, or purchase of donkeys, donkey hides, and products containing ejiao (a gelatin made from donkey skin) within U.S. borders. It directly affects U.S. businesses and consumers involved in trading these items, aiming to reduce global demand driving the slaughter of millions of donkeys - particularly harming communities in Africa and Latin America that rely on donkeys for farming, transportation, and livelihoods. Key mechanisms include civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, criminal penalties for severe breaches (including fines and imprisonment), and mandatory forfeiture of violative goods. The bill is grounded in congressional findings that the donkey skin trade has caused population collapses (e.g., 76% decline in China since 1992) and devastating social impacts on impoverished families.