Thousands of Mislabeled XFX Graphic Cards Worth $3.15M Seized by Chinese Customs Authorities

[Raevenlord]

The Chinese division of XFX may be in hot water with Chinese customs authorities, after a shipment of 5,840 graphics cards was intercepted in the border between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. An initial inspection of the shipment revealed mislabeling of at least three of its graphic cards, with the card's original model and specifications apparently hidden by stickers that declared other, supposedly lower-value models. A subsequent inspection concluded that all graphics cards in the shipment had been mislabeled this way. According to MyDrivers, this purposeful mislabeling of imported goods is a relatively regular occurrence.

The Chinese customs services from Meilin and Huanggang reported the event, declaring that the total value of the mislabeled shipment was accounted at around ¥20 million ($3.15 million). The Chinese customs authorities didn't name XFX as the driving force of the attempted unlawful import, but the company's Chinese branch website has been down following the incident, and the company's web presence over at Alibaba-run, online retailer Tmall has been shuttered as well. At least some of the mislabeled cards were XFX Speedster Qick 319 Radeon RX 6700 XT GPUs.





Update 10:40 UTC: XFX just posted a statement, Google translate version below:

In recent days, some online media and self-media accounts have spread false news such as XFX graphics card's suspected mining card return, and hereby make the following statement:

Founded in 2002, the XFX graphics card brand is one of AMD's global partners, and has always been committed to the development and manufacture of high-performance graphics cards. XFX graphics cards purchased by consumers on XFX officially authorized e-commerce platforms and retail stores have been strictly tested by the factory and meet China's 3C quality certification standards. There is no "mining card refurbishment" and "secondary sales" behavior. users can use it with confidence. If consumers encounter problems with use and after-sales after purchasing the product, they can call the brand 400 service number: 400-852-9388, professionals will answer for you or the customer service staff of the purchase store will assist you.

XFX will continue to deeply cultivate the Chinese IT channel market and bring cost-effective products to players.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I posted this yesterday but I didnt add any text so it got deleted. I would have posted the source from MyDrivers, but I couldnt find an easy way to translate, so I stuck with the VideoCardz link in the new thread.

Couple of mining related new items. Mining haters rejoice!

previous post was deleted, my bad for not adding text to it, just a link. These 2 articles could and will negatively affect mining, not so much the China/XFX issue but the EU regulation will. 1st China and XFX...

www.techpowerup.com

 

[Mussels]

I wonder if this was a way to pay lower customs, or a scam of some sort (pay for budget cards, get top tier cards)

 

[Dammeron]

I wonder if this was a way to pay lower customs, or a scam of some sort (pay for budget cards, get top tier cards)

The first one - this thing is normal in the whole world.

 

[R-T-B]

I wonder if this was a way to pay lower customs

That's exactly what this was.

 

[illusion archives]

Here is the statement of XFX offcial on weibo :

声明书

近日个别网络媒体及自媒体账号散播讯景显卡涉嫌矿卡回流等不实消息，特此作如下声明：

XFX 讯景显卡品牌成立于 2002 年，是 AMD 全球合作伙伴之一，始终致力于高性能显卡的研发及制造。消费者在讯景官方授权的电商平台及零售店铺购买的讯景显卡均经过工厂严格检测并符合中国 3C 质量认证标准，不存在“矿卡翻新”及“二次销售”行为，请各位消费者放心使用。消费者购买产品之后如遇使用及售后问题，可拨打品牌 400 服务电话：

400-852-9388，由专业人员为您解答或由购买店铺客服人员协助解决。

XFX 讯景会持续深耕中国 IT 渠道市场，并为玩家带来具有性价比的产品。

XFX 讯景

2022.03.14

The statement just says that all videocards sold by XFX-accredited retailers and e-retailers aren't re-sold or mined , but does not tell us why those 5840 cards were seized by Chinese customs.

 

[Sabotaged_Enigma]

The statement just says that all videocards sold by XFX-accredited retailers and e-retailers aren't re-sold or mined , but does not tell us why those 5840 cards were seized by Chinese customs.

Certainly no company would like to recognise what they've done bad... As long as there's no clear evidence, they would make such statements to show that they're innocent.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

but does not tell us why those 5840 cards were seized by Chinese customs.

The CCP wants that money. If XFX dont pay no tolls, then the CCP dont get no rolls.

 

[Bomby569]

but does not tell us why those 5840 cards were seized by Chinese customs.

If you do this the merchandise becomes contaband, it's the exact definition of. Contraband is always apprehended, it's normal. This could end in jail time or being China even worst.

 

[demu]

They were probably 'mislabelled' as 'Made in Taiwan' instead of 'Made in China'...

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Another bulldozer crush festival

 

[Bomby569]

Hi,
Another bulldozer crush festival

that would be a waste. Selling them would make no sense, but use them in schools for example, idk.

 

[ThrashZone]

that would be a waste. Selling them would make no sense, but use them in schools for example, idk.

Hi,
Make them think twice about doing it again and still fine the hell out of them

 

[Bomby569]

Hi,
Make them think twice about doing it again and still fine the hell out of them

fine sure! But i don't know if in China a fine for this type of thing is enough. At least the social credit score will go to trash

 

[Chrispy_]

Business as usual in China, then...

 

[Bomby569]

Business as usual in China, then...

Thats a bit racist, this type of thing happens all the time everywhere in the world. In my country even olive oil.

 

[Chrispy_]

Thats a bit racist, this type of thing happens all the time everywhere in the world. In my country even olive oil.

Racism? No.
This is just how Chinese business operates. Even the non-Chinese running busines in China operate like this because the market always finds the path of least resistance and highest profit.

 

[Bomby569]

the market always finds the path of least resistance and highest profit.

i think that's a universal thing.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Probably have mining vbios anyway useless to anyone but a miner which China banned I believe so destroy them.
Throw anyone involved in jail for awhile

 

[DeeJay1001]

Hi,
Probably have mining vbios anyway useless to anyone but a miner which China banned I believe so destroy them.
Throw anyone involved in jail for awhile

Custom mining BIOS hasn't been a thing since Navi 10, even then it wasn't universally used, mostly just the 5700 and 5700xt.

 

[20mmrain]

Racism? No.
This is just how Chinese business operates. Even the non-Chinese running busines in China operate like this because the market always finds the path of least resistance and highest profit.

I completely agree with your statement! Do shady business happenings occur all over the world...Absolutely! However, Chinese businesses are well known for these type of activities. Their government encourages it (and this comes from someone who works in the technology field and my business needs to take steps to protect themselves from shenanigans like this)
And making a statement like that is NOT racism... its fact. Same thing could be said about Russian businesses and their underground black markets.

People need to stop being so sensitive and grow thicker skin. I'm tired of people calling racism for comments that are NOT racism.

Alright Ill get off my soap box now.

 

[Chrispy_]

I completely agree with your statement! Do shady business happenings occur all over the world...Absolutely! However, Chinese businesses are well known for these type of activities. Their government encourages it (and this comes from someone who works in the technology field and my business needs to take steps to protect themselves from shenanigans like this)
And making a statement like that is NOT racism... its fact. Same thing could be said about Russian businesses and their underground black markets.

People need to stop being so sensitive and grow thicker skin. I'm tired of people calling racism for comments that are NOT racism.

Alright Ill get off my soap box now.

This.

The "path of least resistance and highest profit" is only constrained by market conditions and legalities of that market. China's is openly full of rule-breaking, and their government doesn't play by the same rulebook as the western world in the first place. Once you've done direct business with China you will understand that, otherwise there's no shortage of long, peer-reviewed documentaries on the subject from your media outlet of choice. Even if you never intend to trade with someone based in China, watching documentaries on the subject is an interesting and eye-opening primer on what is a significant part of their current culture.

 

[Bomby569]

I completely agree with your statement! Do shady business happenings occur all over the world...Absolutely! However, Chinese businesses are well known for these type of activities. Their government encourages it (and this comes from someone who works in the technology field and my business needs to take steps to protect themselves from shenanigans like this)
And making a statement like that is NOT racism... its fact. Same thing could be said about Russian businesses and their underground black markets.

People need to stop being so sensitive and grow thicker skin. I'm tired of people calling racism for comments that are NOT racism.

Alright Ill get off my soap box now.

you do know XFX is an American company right?

 

[Divide Overflow]

you do know XFX is an American company right?

You do know they make their products in China, right?

 

[Bomby569]

You do know they make their products in China, right?

everybody makes their products in China, the company is still American.