The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently been holding shipments of Antminer ASIC miners at various ports across the country, causing delays for several bitcoin mining companies. According to reports, the FCC has directed the CBP to specifically detain deliveries of Bitmain ASIC miners while other Chinese producers like MicroBT and Canaan have not faced similar issues.
The delays have been significant, with some shipments being held up for up to two months at ports such as 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 dealing with these extended delays, now spanning months, have expressed frustration at the lack of communication and clarity from the CBP. The presence of Advanced Targeting Unit (ATU) personnel at certain ports has raised concerns, leading some companies to advise their peers to avoid specific entry points, particularly along the West Coast.
The situation has become even more complicated as daily holding fees continue to accumulate, surpassing $200,000 for some companies. In response, affected businesses have sought legal assistance to demand answers from the FCC regarding the import halts.
One possible explanation for the detainment of Antminer ASIC miners is the connection to Sophgo chips, which are used in Antminer control boards. Sophgo, a company linked to Bitmain through their shared CEO Micree Zhan, has faced allegations of breaching US sanctions by supplying chips to Huawei. This controversy has led to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) severing ties with Sophgo.
While no direct link has been confirmed between the import halts and the Sophgo-Huawei controversy, sources have verified that Bitmain utilizes Sophgo chips in certain Antminer models. The use of the Sophgo CV1835 chip in Antminer T21 and select S19 models has raised suspicions and could be a contributing factor to the delays faced by US-based bitcoin mining companies.
Overall, the situation surrounding the detainment of Antminer ASIC miners remains complex and unresolved, with affected businesses seeking answers and solutions to overcome the challenges posed by the CBP’s actions.