Bitcoin Mining Hardware Under Scrutiny as US Officials Tighten Import Rule

Bitcoin Miners Face Increased Oversight

Bitcoin mining equipment is under heightened scrutiny from US authorities, with customs officials detaining foreign-manufactured ASICs at multiple entry points. This growing enforcement effort could significantly impact leading mining hardware producers and operators across the country.

At the request of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been seizing Bitcoin mining ASICs upon arrival. Recent CBP documents reviewed by Blockspace, along with insider reports, reveal that detentions now include mining rigs from MicroBT and Canaan, in addition to prior actions against Antminer S21 and T21 units due to their AI chips from the restricted firm Sophgo.

CBP has now broadened its scope to also confiscate Bitmain ASICs, marking an escalation in enforcement efforts that began last autumn. A CBP letter indicated that the detained miners fall under U.S. legal code 19 USC 1595a(c)(2)(A), which governs restrictions on unauthorized communications equipment, radio frequency devices causing interference, and hardware lacking FCC compliance.

Bitcoin Miners Struggle with Seizures and Legal Challenges

With these detentions expanding, nearly all major Asian ASIC manufacturers are encountering customs clearance delays, according to Synteq Digital cofounder and CEO Taras Kulyk. Reports indicate that seizures are occurring at additional ports beyond Detroit and San Francisco, prompting affected companies to seek legal representation to challenge the actions.

The crackdown may align with broader efforts initiated under the Trump administration to bolster domestic semiconductor and mining industries. As Bitcoin miners remain heavily reliant on silicon-based technology, the push to strengthen US-based mining operations aligns with the goal of supporting domestic players in extracting the remaining 1.042 million Bitcoin.

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