CleanSpark has revealed that it could face up to $185 million in tariffs after U.S. Customs and Border Protection alleged that some of its Bitcoin mining rigs imported in 2024 were made in China.
The company disclosed the potential liability in its Q2 2025 filing, saying the claims relate to miners brought in between April and June 2024. CBP says those machines fall under U.S. trade restrictions on Chinese goods and should be subject to punitive duties.
CBP invoices and timeline
According to the filing, CleanSpark began receiving invoices from CBP around May 27, 2025. The invoices asserted that certain mining rigs imported during that 3-month window in 2024 were of Chinese origin.
At the time, the company’s mining operations relied entirely on Bitmain’s Antminer models. CBP’s claim suggests that if duties are applied retroactively to all machines imported from April 2024 onward, CleanSpark’s liability could reach $185 million, excluding statutory interest.
CleanSpark’s position
The company strongly rejects CBP’s allegations. It said its import records and statements from its equipment supplier show the miners were produced outside China.
CleanSpark noted that its purchase agreements specified the origin of the machines, and the documentation matches those terms.
Also Read: France’s National Rally Plans Bitcoin Mining Bill Using Nuclear Power
In the filing, the company stated it believes the agency’s claims have no basis and that it intends to challenge them through the proper channels.
CleanSpark has not recorded any provision for the possible charges. It said a cash outflow is not considered likely as of June 30, 2025, so no liability has been added to its books. The company stressed it will defend its position vigorously.
Industry-wide scrutiny
CleanSpark is not the only miner under review. Earlier in 2025, fellow public mining company IREN disclosed that CBP had accused it of importing rigs of Chinese origin between April 2024 and February 2025.
That dispute involves about $100 million in alleged tariffs, and like CleanSpark, IREN disputes the claims and is fighting a Notice of Action from the agency.
The similar timelines in both cases point to a wider enforcement effort by customs officials. The focus appears to be on verifying the stated origin of cryptocurrency mining hardware at a time when U.S. trade rules on Chinese technology imports remain strict.
Crypto miners are scrambling to import mining equipment from locations like China, Malaysia, and Thailand before the tariffs go into effect in retaliation for the most recent round of U.S. worldwide trade measures.
Also, in order to avoid increased tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, the three major producers of Bitcoin mining machines worldwide, Bitmain, Canaan, and MicroBT, have set up production facilities in the United States.
Potential impact and next steps
If CBP’s position is upheld, it could set a costly precedent for other mining firms that import large quantities of equipment. Retroactive duties of this size would add significant expenses for companies already navigating volatile Bitcoin prices and rising energy costs.
CleanSpark’s estimate of $185 million does not include potential interest charges, which could push the final total higher.
The dispute will now move through administrative and possibly legal proceedings. CleanSpark’s response is expected to focus on its supplier’s certifications, purchase agreements, and import documents that it says confirm the rigs’ non-Chinese origin.