Authorities said the groups bought Antminer and IceRiver machines overseas, misdeclared shipments through Ningbo and Guangzhou, and used USDT for cross-border payments.
Ningbo Customs said it dismantled multiple smuggling groups involved in illegally importing cryptocurrency mining equipment and seized more than 400 mining rigs. According to the provided information, the suspects purchased Antminer L9 and IceRiver KS3 machines overseas, split the shipments, and falsely declared them for entry through Ningbo and Guangzhou in China. Officials said the equipment was then reassembled for domestic sales or used in hosted mining operations. Authorities also said the groups used USDT for cross-border settlement to evade financial oversight. The case highlights how crypto mining hardware can be moved through fragmented logistics channels and paired with stablecoin payments to reduce traceability in cross-border transactions.