The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is currently holding specific imports of Antminer ASIC miners across various ports in the country. Seven US-based bitcoin mining companies have anonymously claimed that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) instructed the CBP to delay certain deliveries of Bitmain ASIC miners. It is interesting to note that other Chinese producers of ASIC mining equipment, such as MicroBT and Canaan, have not faced similar treatment.
According to a report by Blockspace, some shipments have been delayed for up to two months, with hold-ups occurring at ports like San Francisco and Detroit. The affected imports include Bitmain’s latest Antminer S21 and T21 models. Despite acknowledging the detention of these goods, the CBP has not provided any reasons for the hold or a timeline for releasing the shipments. Businesses are starting to avoid specific entry points, especially along the West Coast, due to the prolonged delays, with CBP reportedly withholding around 200 units.
One possible explanation for the delays could be the presence of Sophgo chips in Antminer control boards. Sophgo has faced scrutiny for allegedly breaching US sanctions by supplying chips to Huawei, a company that has been under trade restrictions since 2019. Bitmain and Sophgo share the same CEO, Micree Zhan, and after a Sophgo chip was found in a Huawei device, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) ended its business relationship with the company. Bitmain uses the Sophgo CV1835 chip in the Antminer T21 and certain S19 models.
The prolonged delays and lack of clarity from the CBP and FCC have led to significant financial losses for the affected companies, with daily holding fees surpassing $200,000. To address the situation, the impacted company has engaged a legal team to seek answers from the FCC. There is speculation that the connection between Sophgo and Bitmain, as well as the controversial use of Sophgo chips in Antminers, may have contributed to the import halts. However, no definitive link has been established between the two so far.
The unusual detention of these goods without clear reasons or communication from the authorities is causing frustration and uncertainty among the affected companies. The delays have reached an unprecedented level, with some shipments being held for months without any formal requests from the Importer of Record (IOR). Despite efforts to seek clarity, both the CBP and FCC have remained silent, leading businesses to take precautionary measures to avoid potential entry points that may lead to further delays.
As the situation continues to unfold, it is critical for the CBP and FCC to provide transparency and communication regarding the detentions of the Antminer ASIC miners. The affected companies are facing significant financial losses and uncertainty due to the prolonged delays. It is crucial for authorities to address the issue promptly and efficiently to prevent further disruption to the bitcoin mining industry in the US. Additionally, clarifying the reasons behind the import halts and outlining a timeline for releasing the shipments will help alleviate the anxiety and financial burden on the impacted businesses.
