China customs seizes 49 second-hand crypto mining rigs for export

Dongguan customs in China’s southeast seized 49 second-hand Ant miners declared “shoe material” for export, at least the third seizure in February, state media reported on Monday. 

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Fast facts

• The rigs have been detained for false declaration and are pending further proceedings, said Dongguan customs’ superior department, the Guangzhou Huangpu customs.

• Shenzhen and Wuhan customs confiscated 126 and 46 miners in February, respectively, also with deceiving labels and declaration forms. 

• Economic Daily, one of the Chinese Communist Party’s newspapers, called for a crackdown on private crypto miners in a December editorial.

• Since last October, at least four provinces raised electricity rates for those still operating crypto mining nodes, with Shandong and Shaanxi launching hotlines for citizens to report information related to illicit crypto mining activities. 

See related article: China to ‘outdate’ crypto mining industry with more restrictions