Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (21 Jul 2026): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
What this bill does
The Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act would expand the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority to order the destruction of imported goods that are refused entry into the United States and pose a significant public health risk. Currently, the FDA can order the destruction of certain imported drugs, medical devices, or tobacco products valued under $2,500, but other refused items can typically be exported. This bill would allow the FDA to mandate the destruction, without the option for export, of any refused food, drug, medical device, tobacco product, or cosmetic if it presents a significant public health concern.
If such an order is issued, the owner or importer would be required to destroy the item within 90 days at their own expense. The bill also prohibits the unauthorized movement or export of items subject to a destruction order, with violators facing fines or imprisonment. The FDA would be required to create regulations outlining this process, which must include due process protections for the owner or importer, such as notice and an opportunity to be heard before destruction. The bill has passed the House of Representatives and will now proceed to the Senate.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act
This bill expands the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) authority to require the destruction of certain items that are refused import into the United States and pose a risk to public health.
Under current law, imported food, drugs, medical devices, tobacco products, and cosmetics are subject to FDA review. If an imported item is deficient in a specified manner (e.g., counterfeit, misbranded, or manufactured under insanitary conditions), the item is generally refused admission to the United States. An item refused admission may generally be exported, except that the FDA may destroy a drug, medical device, or tobacco product that is valued under $2,500 without the opportunity for export.
Under the bill, the FDA may order the destruction, without the opportunity for export, of any food, drug, medical device, tobacco product, or cosmetic that is refused admission if the item presents a significant public health concern. If such an order is issued, the item’s owner or consignee must destroy it within 90 days at their own cost.
The bill also prohibits the unauthorized movement (e.g., export) of an item subject to a destruction order. A violator is subject to a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both.
The FDA must promulgate regulations to carry out these provisions. These regulations must provide for due process for the owner or consignee of an item subject to a destruction order, including notice and an opportunity to appear before the item is destroyed.
Timeline
21 Jul 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 2715 do?
- The Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act would expand the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority to order the destruction of imported goods that are refused entry into the United States and pose a significant public health risk. Currently, the FDA can order the destruction of certain imported drugs, medical devices, or tobacco products valued under $2,500, but other refused items can typically be exported. This bill would allow the FDA to mandate the destruction, without the option for export, of any refused food, drug, medical device, tobacco product, or cosmetic if it presents a significant public health concern. If such an order is issued, the owner or importer would be required to destroy the item within 90 days at their own expense. The bill also prohibits the unauthorized movement or export of items subject to a destruction order, with violators facing fines or imprisonment. The FDA would be required to create regulations outlining this process, which must include due process protections for the owner or importer, such as notice and an opportunity to be heard before destruction. The bill has passed the House of Representatives and will now proceed to the Senate.
- Has H.R. 2715 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 2715. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 2715?
- H.R. 2715 was sponsored by Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3] (R-LA), with 18 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 2715?
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (21 Jul 2026).
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