U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has ramped up its efforts to seize Bitcoin mining equipment at ports of entry, causing significant disruptions in the industry. Acting at the request of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), CBP has detained units from major manufacturers, including Bitmain, MicroBT, and Canaan. This follows earlier actions targeting Antminer S21 and T21 models due to concerns about AI chips sourced from restricted suppliers.

The latest detentions include Bitmain S21 Pro units, which were confiscated at San Francisco International Airport in January. Documents reviewed by Blockspace revealed that CBP cited violations related to non-FCC-compliant radio frequency equipment. For Bitcoin mining companies reliant on these high-performance ASIC miners, the seizures have resulted in costly delays, with some waiting up to two months for resolution.

One impacted company reported losing over $5 million worth of equipment due to the seizures. These delays have primarily affected ports on the West Coast, such as San Francisco, although CBP has not yet disclosed the specific reasons for the extended holds or provided any clear timeline for resolution.

While the detentions initially focused on models equipped with AI chips from suppliers like Sophgo, the scope has broadened to include other equipment. Sources suggest this expansion could signal a stricter regulatory approach to ensure compliance with U.S. laws governing radio frequency devices and other technical specifications.

The growing scrutiny has hit seven U.S.-based mining companies hard, highlighting the challenges of operating within an increasingly regulated environment. The lack of clarity from CBP and the FCC has compounded frustrations for affected firms, leaving them uncertain about future shipments and the risk of additional seizures.