Hundreds of Antminer S21 and T21 ASIC miners from Bitmain have been held at U.S. ports for over a month, pending approval from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), according to Blockspace, citing unnamed industry sources.

SCOOP from @theMiningPod

Officials are halting Bitmain units at U.S. ports, industry firms report

The Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) is holding certain imports of @BITMAINtech Antminer ASICs at ports of entry to the United States, Blockspace has learned, from…
— Blockspace Media 🔳 (@blockspacepod) November 25, 2024

CBP Delays and FCC Involvement

Sources claim that customs agents across the country have been detaining certain shipments following a request from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Some Bitmain miners have reportedly remained in port warehouses for up to two months, with customers expected to cover storage fees.

The CBP has not provided further information about the reasons or duration of these delays, referring inquiries to the FCC. A spokesperson for the FCC, however, stated that the agency was unaware of any such request.

One affected company has reportedly hired legal counsel to seek clarity from government agencies.

Exclusivity of Bitmain Delays

Industry representatives highlighted that the importation issues appear to affect only Bitmain equipment, with no similar problems reported for other mining hardware manufacturers.

Such delays are unusual for the U.S. mining industry. Sources speculate that the issue may involve the CV1835 chip, manufactured by Chinese company Sophgo, found on the control boards of certain Antminer models. The chip reportedly drew U.S. authorities’ attention after it was discovered in devices from Huawei, a company under U.S. sanctions.

Recent Bitmain Releases

In October, Bitmain expanded its Antminer S21 lineup with the introduction of two new devices.

Historical Context

These detentions are considered a rare occurrence in the U.S. crypto mining industry. If confirmed, they could mark a significant regulatory challenge for Bitmain, especially considering the broader geopolitical implications involving technology exports and sanctions enforcement.