Prohibits the import, sale, or distribution of kangaroos or kangaroo products in the United States for commercial purposes, with penalties for violations.
Brian Fitzpatrick
Representative
PA-1
The Kangaroo Protection Act of 2025 prohibits the import, sale, and distribution of kangaroos and kangaroo products in the United States for commercial purposes. Violators may face fines and/or imprisonment. The Secretary of Commerce will issue regulations to implement this law, which takes effect 180 days after enactment.
Kangaroo Protection Act of 2025: US Bans Import and Sale of Kangaroo Products
The Kangaroo Protection Act of 2025 outright bans the import, sale, and distribution of kangaroos and kangaroo-derived products for any commercial reason within the United States. This means no more kangaroo leather soccer cleats, wallets, or other products made from these animals will be legally entering or being sold on the US market. The law kicks in 180 days after its enactment, giving businesses some time to adjust.
What's Changing Down Under (and Here)
This act is a pretty big shift. Previously, kangaroo products, while subject to some regulations, were available for purchase. Now, the US is essentially shutting down that market entirely. The bill, in Section 2, specifically defines what constitutes a "kangaroo product," so there's no wiggle room. We're talking about anything made from any part of a kangaroo.
Real-World Roo-percussions
Let's say you own a sporting goods store that sells high-end soccer cleats, some of which are made from kangaroo leather. Starting 180 days after enactment, those are off the shelves – you can't legally sell them anymore. For consumers, this means fewer choices, and potentially higher prices for alternative leather products. For businesses, it means finding different materials or losing a product line. This also impacts Australian exporters, who will no longer have access to the US market for these goods.
The Price of Protection
Violating this law comes with some serious teeth. Section 2 lays out the penalties: up to a $10,000 fine, up to a year in prison, or both. And it's not a one-time deal – each violation is considered a separate offense. That means if you're caught selling multiple kangaroo leather items, you could be facing multiple fines and potential jail time. The Secretary of Commerce, along with other agencies, is tasked with figuring out the specifics of how this will all be enforced. So, the folks at the Department of Commerce will be busy crafting the regulations that will determine exactly how this ban plays out in practice.