Tariffs, trade tensions, and the Bitcoin mining industry

The following is a guest post from Jill Ford, Founder of Bitford Digital.

The ongoing turbulence in global trade policies has sent shockwaves through multiple industries, and Bitcoin mining is no exception. Many in the crypto mining sector are now grappling with the impact of these tariffs as they come into sharper focus.  Some are already dealing with sudden customs delays, cost increases and shortages all while trying to make sense of evolving international trade agreements. With shipments of mining equipment already stuck at borders, uncertainty is growing among miners, suppliers, and investors.

Tariffs and Customs Delays: A Growing Concern

One of the primary concerns facing Bitcoin miners today is the unpredictability surrounding the new Trump administration’s barrage of tariffs and the seemingly arbitrary border enforcement policies that accompany them. I have personally seen first-hand how mining equipment is now being held in customs without clear explanations. Some shipments have been stuck at U.S. borders since November, with no resolution in sight.

While some shipments pass through relatively smoothly, others face arbitrary delays, making it increasingly difficult for mining operations to plan and scale. A client recently shared an incident where 110 mining machines were held in customs without any clear justification. The unpredictability and lack of clarity around border enforcement is leaving businesses with mounting costs, operational setbacks, and more questions than answers.

The Challenges of Bitcoin Mining Amid Trade Policies

Bitcoin mining relies on specialized hardware known as ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits), the vast majority of which—nearly 98%—are produced by Chinese manufacturers like Bitmain. This dominance gives China a near-monopoly over the market, leaving U.S. miners vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and shifting regulatory enforcement.

Recently, heightened customs scrutiny—fueled by tariffs and reliance on Chinese imports—has created significant delays and uncertainty for mining operations. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has increased inspections to ensure compliance with trade regulations, but another major hurdle has emerged: many ASIC miners reportedly fail to meet Federal Communications Commission (FCC) equipment authorization rules. 

These regulations require any device emitting radio-frequency energy to undergo testing and certification before being imported or sold in the U.S….