CleanSpark Faces $185M Tariff Risk Over Bitcoin Miner Imports
CleanSpark has disclosed a potential tariff exposure of up to $185 million after the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) alleged that certain Bitcoin mining rigs it imported in 2024 were of Chinese origin and therefore subject to punitive tariffs.
In its Q2 2025 filing, the company said it began receiving invoices from CBP around May 27 asserting Chinese origin import tariffs on certain miners imported from April 2024 through June 2024. CleanSpark’s mining fleet consisted exclusively of Bitmain’s Antminers at the time.
If CBP prevails in its claim and retroactively applies duties to all miners imported from April 2024 onward, CleanSpark estimated its total liability could rise to approximately $185 million, excluding statutory interest.
CleanSpark said it strongly disputes the allegation, adding that both importation documentation and representations from its hardware seller confirm the machines originated outside of China, in line with the terms of its purchase agreements.
“The Company believes the CBP allegation of Chinese origin on its imported miners to be without merit and intends to defend against these charges vigorously,” the filing stated. CleanSpark has not recorded any provision for the potential charges, citing that a cash outflow is not considered probable as of June 30, 2025.
The company is not alone in facing such scrutiny. Fellow public miner IREN disclosed earlier this year that it is facing a $100 million tariff dispute with CBP, which similarly alleged that its mining rigs imported between April 2024 and February 2025 originated in China. IREN also disputes the claim and is defending against a Notice of Action issued by the agency.
The overlapping timelines and the mounting liabilities suggest a broader scrutiny by U.S. customs authorities on the declared origin of cryptocurrency mining hardware, amid ongoing enforcement of trade restrictions against Chinese goods.
