Sponsors (14)
Official title: To amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit the importation on nonhuman primates.
Introduced April 23, 2026 by W. Greg Steube · Last progress April 23, 2026
The bill reduces public health risk from imported nonhuman primates but imposes economic costs on lawful primate import businesses and may raise enforcement-related expenses for taxpayers.
General public and importers: blocking live nonhuman primate imports reduces risk of zoonotic disease spillover, lowering public-health threats from imported primates.
Zoos, specialty dealers, and other legal primate importers: loss of revenue and higher compliance costs due to the ban and new certification/regulatory requirements.
Taxpayers: potential additional public costs for enforcement actions (seizures, forfeitures), rulemaking, and care or disposition of seized primates.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits import of live nonhuman primates into the U.S., with narrow exceptions, authorizes penalties and forfeiture, and requires Treasury rulemaking.
Makes it unlawful to import live nonhuman primates into the United States, with two narrow exceptions for AZA‑accredited facilities and for imports accompanied by a certification that the animal will not be used, transferred for use, sold, leased, or bred for experiments or testing. Establishes Customs enforcement, civil penalties (up to $50,000 per violation), forfeiture of unlawfully imported primates, and a requirement that the Treasury Secretary issue implementing regulations within one year via notice-and-comment rulemaking. Defines key terms (including “nonhuman primate,” “AZA‑accredited facility,” and “Secretary”), directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to deny clearance for prohibited shipments, and makes violations subject to monetary penalties and forfeiture procedures.