Why US owners look north
The economics of mining are decided by the price of electricity, and Quebec has one of the better combinations in North America: generation that is overwhelmingly hydroelectric, industrial pricing, and a climate cold enough that outside air does most of the cooling work for most of the year.
For a US owner that can mean a lower all-in cost per kilowatt-hour than a comparable domestic facility, without the jurisdictional risk of moving hardware offshore. Canada is next door, the legal system is familiar, contracts are enforceable, and you can be standing on the mining floor the same day you leave home.
Put it in concrete terms. A Antminer S23 uses about 2,416 kWh a month. At our band that is roughly $174–$215 per machine per month, covering power, rack space, cooling, network, security and monitoring. Against US residential rates, that is not a close comparison — see is Bitcoin mining profitable for the break-even arithmetic.
Getting the hardware across the border
This is the part that is genuinely different from hosting domestically, and the honest advice is short: use a customs broker, and talk to them before the machines move.
What a broker will want to establish with you:
- Who is the importer of record. This determines who is responsible for the paperwork and any taxes at the border, and there is more than one workable arrangement.
- Tariff classification. How the machines are classified determines their duty treatment. Brokers do this daily; it is not a judgement to make yourself from a forum post.
- Taxes payable on import. Canada applies federal sales tax at the border on commercial imports, and recoverability depends on your own registration status.
- Commercial documentation. A commercial invoice showing the value, quantity, origin and description of the machines, plus the shipping paperwork.
- Used versus new. Second-hand hardware is routinely imported, but valuation needs to be realistic and documented.
We are a hosting provider, not a customs broker, and we will not pretend to give you a ruling on your shipment. What we will do is receive the hardware, confirm what arrived against what you told us to expect, and get it racked. If you would rather avoid the border entirely, buy the machines through us as an equipment + hosting package — they are delivered straight to our racks and there is nothing for you to import.
How the relationship works day to day
- Quote. Tell us the model mix, the quantity and when the hardware would arrive. We quote your rate against order size and available space.
- Agreement. Hosting terms in writing: rate, term from 6 months, payment schedule, deposit option, exit terms.
- Ship. You or your broker arrange freight to the facility. We confirm receipt.
- Rack and configure. We rack, cable, set up the network and point the machines at your pool. Most orders are hashing within one to two business days of arrival.
- Run. You watch your own pool dashboard and your hashrate. We handle power, cooling, monitoring and on-site repairs.
- Bill. Monthly in advance, in US dollars, by Bitcoin, USDT or wire.
Mined bitcoin goes to your pool account and your wallet — we never hold it. We do not take custody of your coins, and we do not take title to your machines.
What to ask us before you ship
The same questions you should ask any provider, which we have written up as how to choose a Bitcoin miner hosting provider. For a cross-border owner, four extra ones matter:
- What happens if a machine fails? Ours are repaired on site in Quebec, so a dead fan does not mean an international shipment. Labour is usually included for hosted miners; you pay for parts.
- How do I get the hardware back? You can move out at the end of your term. We box the machines — storage of your original boxes is free — and you arrange the return freight and the export side.
- Can I see it? Yes, by appointment. Walk-ins are refused for security reasons.
- Who am I actually contracting with? HostAid Inc., a Canadian company, head office at 180 Brodie Drive, Unit 5, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3K8, Canada.
None of this is legal, tax or customs advice. Cross-border hosting is routine, but it is your import and your tax position — get your own broker and accountant involved early.
