US-based crypto miners are currently facing delays in receiving ASIC mining hardware due to the heightened scrutiny of shipments from China, the primary supplier of Bitcoin mining rigs. This delay is a result of increased inspections by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on shipments of Bitmain machines, as reported by Bloomberg News.
The recent delays in shipments align with the US Commerce Department’s January blacklisting of Xiamen Sophgo Technologies Ltd., an AI firm affiliated with Bitmain, which was accused of supporting Beijing’s ambitions in advanced chip production. Additionally, these delays come at a time of escalating trade tensions between the US and China, further complicating the import process for miners.
Bitmain, which holds approximately 90% of the global market for specialized Bitcoin mining rigs, has been subject to US tariffs since 2018. President Donald Trump’s announcement of an additional 10% levy on Chinese imports on February 1 has further added to the challenges faced by miners reliant on Bitmain’s machines.
Nuo Xu, founder of the China Digital Mining Association, highlighted that US Customs has been randomly inspecting almost all airlifted Bitcoin mining machines for the past three months. These inspections involve scrutinizing machines more closely and demanding certificates of origin, leading to further delays in shipments.
One Oklahoma-based mining operation with 2,000 rigs has experienced significant delays due to these stringent customs checks. Ethan Vera, COO of Luxor Technology, revealed that shipments with Bitmain labels are specifically targeted by customs. Taras Kulyk, CEO of Synteq Digital, emphasized that heavier tariffs could potentially halt the importation of new-generation hardware into the US, making it cost-prohibitive for mining projects.
The impact of these delays and tariffs on the US mining industry is already evident, with the gross weight of imported Bitcoin mining rigs and accessories dropping nearly 65% year-over-year in January 2025. The inability to secure new equipment at competitive prices poses a threat to the long-term viability of US mining firms.
To address these challenges, Bitmain recently launched a domestic production line in the US to counter the import-related obstacles for its machines. The rollout of the Antminer S21 Pro from the new US facility is expected to enhance efficiency for miners and reduce operational uncertainty.
Overall, the regulatory pressure and delays in receiving ASIC mining hardware are reshaping the landscape for US-based crypto miners, prompting them to seek alternative solutions to navigate through these challenges in the evolving cryptocurrency mining industry.