H.R. 2715: Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act
Sponsor
Clay Higgins
Republican · LA-3
Dangerous refused imports shouldn’t get a second stop
Why it matters
90 days — that’s how long an importer would have to destroy certain refused goods once federal health officials order it. H.R. 2715 lets FDA block some products from being simply shipped somewhere else after refusal and instead require destruction if the agency finds a significant public health concern.
H.R. 2715 would let federal health officials order certain refused imports destroyed, not rerouted for export, if the agency finds they present a significant public health concern.
Right now, the bill focuses on products FDA has already refused admission. If HHS, acting through FDA, decides one of those products poses a serious enough public health risk, it could issue a destruction order to the owner or consignee.
The owner or consignee would then have 90 days to destroy the product and would have to pay the full cost. That means the importer loses both the goods and the ability to send them somewhere else once a destruction order is issued.
The bill also requires a process before destruction happens. Importers must get notice and a chance to appear before the government and present testimony, either as part of the refusal process or in a separate step.
It would also become illegal to move, sell, or export goods after they are placed under one of these destruction orders. In plain English: once FDA says a refused product is dangerous enough to destroy, it cannot be shuffled into another market instead.
This would not start immediately. FDA would have up to 18 months after enactment to propose rules, up to 1 more year to finalize them, and the new authority would kick in 30 days after those final rules are issued.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Jul 21, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
H.R. 2715 Bill Summary
What H.R. 2715 actually does.
Refused high-risk imports can be destroyed
If HHS, acting through FDA, finds that a product already refused admission presents a significant public health concern, it can order the owner or consignee to destroy it.
Export is off the table after a destruction order
Once a destruction order is issued, the affected goods cannot be exported instead. The bill cuts off that alternative route entirely for products covered by the order.
Importers get 90 days and pay the bill
The owner or consignee has to destroy the goods within 90 days after the order and must cover all destruction costs.
Importers must get notice and a chance to respond
Before destruction, the government must provide due process through regulations, including notice and an opportunity to appear and present testimony.
Moving ordered goods becomes its own violation
The bill creates a new prohibited act for unauthorized movement, sale, or export of products that are already under a destruction order.
FDA must write the rules first
HHS has 18 months after enactment to propose regulations and 1 more year to finalize them. The new authority begins 30 days after those final rules take effect.
Who benefits from H.R. 2715?
People buying FDA-regulated products
If you buy food, drugs, medical devices, or cosmetics, this bill aims to keep some products FDA has already refused as dangerous from being redirected into commerce instead of destroyed.
FDA enforcement staff
The agency gets a clearer enforcement tool for refused imports it considers a significant public health concern, plus a separate violation if someone moves or exports goods after a destruction order.
Companies that already follow import safety rules
Businesses that comply with FDA requirements could face less competition from shipments that are refused at the border but might otherwise have been rerouted instead of destroyed.
Who is affected by H.R. 2715?
Importers whose goods are refused and flagged as serious health risks
They could lose the option to export those goods elsewhere, would need to destroy them within 90 days, and would have to pay the full destruction cost.
Owners and consignees handling refused shipments
They would have to participate in the due-process process, meet destruction deadlines, and avoid moving the goods once a destruction order is in place.
Warehouses, carriers, and distributors touching refused goods
If a shipment is under a destruction order, these businesses would need tighter controls because unauthorized movement or export would become a separate violation.
What Congress Is Saying
H.R. 2715 has come up 14 times in the Congressional Record so far.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2715, the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act, led by Representatives Carter and Higgins of Louisiana. This bill would provide the Food and Drug Administration with the authority to require importers to destroy products that pose a significant public health concern, preventing them from being shipped to another port of entry. These products have, in fact, included food contaminated with salmonella, listeria, and carcinogenic unapproved animal drugs, as well as misbranded medical devices.
H.R. 2715 also appeared in 11 routine cosponsor filings.
HR2715 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Jul 21, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
House: Vote: 4637-4638
Jul 20, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4637-4638)
House: Committee Action
Jun 18, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-705.
House: Vote: 43-0
May 21, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 43 - 0.
House: Vote Held
May 13, 2026
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
House: Committee Action
Apr 8, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
House: Committee Action
Apr 8, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
About the Sponsor
Clay Higgins
Republican, Louisiana's 3rd congressional district · 9 years in Congress
Committees: House Select Subcommittee to Investigate the Remaining Questions Surrounding January 6, 2021, Oversight and Government Reform, Armed Services
View full profile →
Cosponsors (18)
This bill has 18 cosponsors: 4 Democrats, 14 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 10 states: Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, and 7 more.
Troy Carter
Democrat · LA
Randy Weber
Republican · TX
Troy Nehls
Republican · TX
Julia Letlow
Republican · LA
Gregory Murphy
Republican · NC
W. Steube
Republican · FL
Mike Haridopolos
Republican · FL
Mike Ezell
Republican · MS
Gus Bilirakis
Republican · FL
Jennifer Kiggans
Republican · VA
Donald Davis
Democrat · NC
Rosa DeLauro
Democrat · CT
Committee Sponsors
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
0 of 23 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Energy and Commerce Committee
5 of 54 committee members cosponsored
38 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 2715 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Health
- Introduced
- Apr 8, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Jul 21, 2026
Official Sources
Official congressional page for the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act with bill text, actions, and status.
Current FDA regulations in 21 CFR Part 1 include import-related procedures and provide regulatory context for future rulemaking under the bill.
Official U.S. Code section for FDCA section 801, the statute H.R. 2715 would amend to authorize destruction of certain refused imports.
Official U.S. Code section listing prohibited acts under the FDCA, which the bill would amend to bar unauthorized movement or export after a destruction order.
H.R. 2715 Common Questions
What does H.R. 2715 actually do?
It lets HHS, acting through FDA, order certain refused imports destroyed if the agency finds they present a significant public health concern. Those goods could not simply be exported instead.
Would importers still be allowed to re-export the goods?
No. If FDA issues a destruction order under H.R. 2715, the importer loses the export option for that shipment.
How long would an importer have to destroy the goods?
90 days from the destruction order. The owner or consignee would be responsible for making sure the product is destroyed on time.
Who pays for destruction under H.R. 2715?
The owner or consignee pays all destruction costs. The bill does not shift that cost to the federal government.
Do importers get any chance to challenge the order?
Yes. The bill requires due process before destruction, including notice and an opportunity to appear before the government and present testimony.
Does H.R. 2715 make it illegal to move the goods after an order?
Yes. The bill creates a separate violation for unauthorized movement, sale, or export of goods that are already under a destruction order.
When would this bill take effect?
Not right away. HHS would first need to finalize regulations, and the new authority would start 30 days after those final rules are issued.
How long does FDA get to write the rules?
HHS has 18 months after enactment to propose rules and 1 additional year after that to finalize them.
Based on H.R. 2715 bill text
H.R. 2715 Bill Text
“To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the destruction authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to articles that present a significant public health concern, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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