US Export Controls on Nvidia AI Chips to China: A100 to H20 to H200
Washington first required licenses for Nvidia’s A100 and H100 exports to China in August 2022, then broadened the restrictions in 2022 and 2023, closing the thresholds that had allowed Nvidia’s China-specific A800 and H800. Nvidia responded with the H20, but the United States subjected that chip to licensing in April 2025, prompting a US$4.5 billion charge and lost sales; later licenses did not restore meaningful H20 sales. The United States subsequently opened a conditional path for H200 exports, but Chinese security, procurement and customs actions have limited mainland demand and installations, and Nvidia said it had shipped only a fraction of licensed H200 units and recorded a US$0.4 billion inventory charge. The central tension is that U.S. policy now permits selected exports under stringent conditions while Beijing is steering buyers, especially state-backed projects, toward domestic chips and pursuing separate security and antitrust pressure on Nvidia.
Key moments
- Aug 26, 2022US imposes a license requirement on Nvidia A100 and H100 exports to China
- Oct 17, 2023BIS tightens the chip rules, dropping the interconnect-bandwidth test that A800 and H800 were built around
- Apr 9, 2025US requires a license for H20 exports to China; Nvidia flags up to US$5.5 billion in charges
- May 28, 2025Nvidia takes a US$4.5 billion H20 charge, loses US$2.5 billion in shipments, expects US$8 billion hit next quarter
- Jul 14, 2025Nvidia says the US has assured it H20 licenses will be granted and sales to China will resume
- Aug 12, 2025Chinese authorities discourage use of H20 in government and security-related work
- Nov 5, 2025Beijing requires state-funded data centres to use domestic AI chips
- Dec 8, 2025Trump allows H200 sales to approved Chinese customers with a 25 percent cut for the US
- Jan 13, 2026BIS moves H200 and MI325X exports to China to case-by-case review with security conditions
- Jan 14, 2026Chinese customs agents are told H200 chips may not enter the country
- Aug 26, 2026Nvidia writes down US$0.4 billion of H200 inventory; says Beijing restricted licensed sales
- Oct 1, 2026California man charged with smuggling $300 million in GPU servers to China
In numbers
Data and sources (3 points)
| Date | Charges tied to China export limits | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2025 | $5.5B | US requires a license for H20 exports to China; Nvidia flags up to US$5.5 billion in charges |
| May 28, 2025 | $4.5B | Nvidia takes a US$4.5 billion H20 charge, loses US$2.5 billion in shipments, expects US$8 billion hit next quarter |
| Aug 26, 2026 | $0.4B | Nvidia writes down US$0.4 billion of H200 inventory; says Beijing restricted licensed sales |
Timeline
Earlier years show only their entries' dates and titles. Click a year heading to show the details.
202620 entries
- Legal
Ting-Wei Sun pleads guilty in Manhattan federal court
Reuters reported that Ting-Wei Sun entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on October 8. The Southern District of New York docket recorded an arraignment and plea-entered event on October 9.
- Reuters · Oct 9, 2026 ·
The court docket showed Sun entered his guilty plea on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York docket via CourtListener/RECAP · Oct 9, 2026 ·
Arraignment AND ~Util - Plea Entered AND ~Util - Set/Reset Hearings
Editor's note: Reuters’ cited report says Sun entered his guilty plea on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan; October 8, 2026, was that Thursday. The cited CourtListener docket lists an arraignment and plea-entered event dated October 9, 2026.
- Reuters · Oct 9, 2026 ·
- Report
Bloomberg: a Chinese state-owned lender financed purchases of restricted Nvidia chips
Bloomberg News reported that filings with Beijing regulators show Xinxin Finance Leasing, created in 2015 by China's national integrated-circuit investment fund and now majority-held by the Shenzhen, Beijing and other provincial governments, had over the past year advanced Hongjing Technology and its subsidiaries more than 3 billion yuan to buy more than 700 servers. One contract covered 32 Asus servers fitted with Nvidia B300 chips, bought from a Chinese company about which little is public; the B300 cannot be sold to China without a licence. Nvidia said it was investigating the report with its OEM customers, and Asus said it abides by all applicable export-control laws.
- Central News Agency · Oct 2, 2026 ·
其中一份合約載明，資金用於向一間公開資訊不多的中國公司購買32台配備輝達（NVIDIA）B300晶片的華碩電腦伺服器。
Editor's note: The CNA article, published on 2026-10-02, states that one contract funded the purchase of 32 Asus computer servers equipped with Nvidia B300 chips from a Chinese company with limited public information. The stated node date matches the article's publication date.
- Central News Agency · Oct 2, 2026 ·
- LegalKey moment
California man charged with smuggling $300 million in GPU servers to China
The Justice Department said Greg Lui, owner of the City of Industry technology company Earthmade Computer Inc., was arrested on a three-count federal indictment charging conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, outbound smuggling and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment, returned on September 29, alleges that from 2023 to 2024 Lui bought export-controlled servers containing U.S.-manufactured GPUs, gave manufacturers false documentation about their end users, shipped them to Malaysia and Singapore, and had them re-exported to China; it says Earthmade received more than $176 million from two Malaysia-based shipping companies between January and October 2024. Tom's Hardware identified the GPUs as Nvidia parts.
- U.S. Department of Justice · Oct 1, 2026 ·
The owner of a San Gabriel Valley-based technology company was arrested today on a three-count federal indictment charging him with smuggling more than $300 million worth of export-controlled high-end computer servers containing U.S.-manufactured graphics processing units (GPUs) commonly used for Super Intelligence (SI) applications to China.
- Tom's Hardware · Oct 2, 2026 ·
A California man has been arrested for smuggling over $300 million worth of restricted Nvidia chips to China in violation of U.S. export controls.
Editor's note: The page states that Greg Lui, owner of Earthmade Computer Inc., was arrested on a three-count federal indictment involving more than $300 million in export-controlled servers containing U.S.-manufactured GPUs. It does not identify the GPUs as Nvidia products or mention Tom’s Hardware.
- U.S. Department of Justice · Oct 1, 2026 ·
- Response
Moolenaar asks Trump to tighten AI controls before the Xi summit
Ahead of Trump's meeting with Xi Jinping, House Select Committee on China chairman John Moolenaar wrote to the president asking him to slow China's AI development by strengthening controls on advanced AI products, closing the cloud-service loopholes that let Chinese companies dodge them, and halting exports of American and allied semiconductor-manufacturing technology. The letter argued the PRC is not a long-term market for American AI because Beijing is refusing to let its own labs legally buy American technology.
- Select Committee on the CCP · Sep 18, 2026 ·
The correct response is to slow down PRC AI development as much as possible by strengthening controls on advanced AI products, cutting off cloud services loopholes that allow PRC companies to easily dodge these restrictions, and most importantly, stopping exports of American and allied semiconductor manufacturing technology that the PRC needs for its plan to work.
Editor's note: Editor: replaced the quoted line with the sentence that carries the three requests the summary describes, and added the letter's timing, which the release states in its first sentence.
- Select Committee on the CCP · Sep 18, 2026 ·
- Report
NYT: Inspur's US subsidiary shipped $5.6 billion of technology to Southeast Asia, including Blackwell servers
The New York Times reported that Aivres, a California server maker, had exported at least US$5.6 billion of advanced technology to Southeast Asia between April 2024 and February 2026, including more than US$3 billion of computers carrying Nvidia's Blackwell chips, and that those servers ultimately served Chinese customers including ByteDance and Alibaba. Aivres is Inspur Group's US subsidiary and is not itself on the Entity List, though Inspur was added in 2023. Nvidia spokesman John Rizzo said the company does not support product diversion and sells only to well-known partners that work with Nvidia to comply with export control rules. Federal officials had begun looking into the subsidiary's business.
- Asia Times · Sep 7, 2026 ·
The New York Times reported on Sunday that Aivres, a California-based server maker, exported at least $5.6 billion in advanced technology to Southeast Asia between April 2024 and February 2026, including more than $3 billion in computers equipped with Nvidia’s most advanced Blackwell chips.
- Asia Times · Sep 7, 2026 ·
- Report
DeepSeek plans a 160,000-chip Huawei cluster instead of Nvidia parts
Bloomberg reported that DeepSeek intended to deploy at least 160,000 of Huawei's next-generation Ascend 950DT accelerators at a data centre it was building in Inner Mongolia, using them to operate its models, which would be one of the largest known clusters of Huawei AI chips. People familiar with the matter said the timeline depended on Huawei's production capacity and that DeepSeek did not currently plan to use the chips for training. DeepSeek did not respond to requests for comment and Huawei had no immediate comment.
- Bloomberg, via Yahoo Finance · Sep 4, 2026 ·
DeepSeek plans to deploy at least 160,000 of Huawei Technologies Co's top accelerators at a massive data centre it's building in Inner Mongolia, which could create one of the largest known clusters of Huawei artificial intelligence (AI) chips and advance China's efforts to replace Nvidia Corp.
- Bloomberg, via Yahoo Finance · Sep 4, 2026 ·
- Response
NVIDIA and AMD lobby against additional China chip restrictions
Politico reported that NVIDIA and AMD urged the Trump administration to discourage lawmakers from including China-related chip-export restrictions in the annual defense policy bill. The reported outreach sought to prevent the proposed restrictions from being added to that bill.
- Benzinga, reporting Politico · Sep 29, 2026 ·
The firms are urging the administration to discourage lawmakers from including China-related chip export restrictions in the annual defense policy bill, as per the report.
Editor's note: The page states that Nvidia and AMD urged the administration to discourage lawmakers from adding China-related chip-export restrictions to the annual defense policy bill. It is dated September 29, 2026, which supports the node's September 2026 date.
- Benzinga, reporting Politico · Sep 29, 2026 ·
- Report
China's industry ministry seeks RTX PRO 5500 purchase plans
Reuters reported that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology asked ByteDance, Alibaba and other companies to report plans to purchase NVIDIA RTX PRO 5500 chips. The report described the request as recent and did not establish a precise date.
- Reuters · Sep 27, 2026 ·
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently asked companies including ByteDance and Alibaba to report their plans to purchase Nvidia's RTX PRO 5500 chips, according to the report.
Editor's note: The page states that Reuters reported MIIT recently asked ByteDance, Alibaba, and other companies to report plans to purchase NVIDIA RTX PRO 5500 chips. It was published on 2026-09-27 and does not give a more precise date for the ministry's request.
- Reuters · Sep 27, 2026 ·
- FinancialKey moment
Nvidia writes down US$0.4 billion of H200 inventory; says Beijing restricted licensed sales
In its second-quarter fiscal 2027 Form 10-Q, Nvidia said it took a US$0.4 billion charge in the first half of the year for excess H200 inventory and purchase obligations as demand diminished, that the Chinese government had restricted sales of H200 units it was licensed to ship, and that it had made only a fraction of the allowed shipments.
- Nvidia Form 10-Q · Aug 26, 2026 ·
During the first half of fiscal year 2027, we incurred a $0.4 billion charge associated with H200 for excess inventory and purchase obligations, as the demand for H200 products diminished.
- Nvidia Form 10-Q · Aug 26, 2026 ·
After incurring that charge, we have made a fraction of the allowed shipments under the USG’s H200 licensing program.
contradicts Huang says Nvidia is licensed for many Chinese H200 customers, has orders, and is restarting production.
Editor's note: Sentences confirmed in the Form 10-Q fetched directly from EDGAR.
- Nvidia Form 10-Q · Aug 26, 2026 ·
- Financial
Nvidia excludes China data center compute revenue from its outlook
Nvidia said it was not assuming Data Center compute revenue from China in its outlook. The company issued the outlook with its second-quarter fiscal 2027 results.
- Nvidia Newsroom · Aug 26, 2026 ·
NVIDIA is not assuming any Data Center compute revenue from China in its outlook.
Editor's note: The page is dated August 26, 2026 and reports NVIDIA’s second-quarter fiscal 2027 results. Its outlook explicitly states that NVIDIA is not assuming any Data Center compute revenue from China.
- Nvidia Newsroom · Aug 26, 2026 ·
- Report
The FT puts about 10,000 H200s each with ByteDance and Tencent, and Beijing steering the rest to Hong Kong
The Financial Times reported, citing two people with knowledge of the matter, that ByteDance and Tencent had each taken delivery of roughly 10,000 H200 accelerators, the first meaningful movement of the chips into mainland China since the December 2025 approval. Beijing wanted most of each company's licensed allowance, which the FT put at up to 100,000 units apiece, kept off the mainland, with regulators directing buyers to Hong Kong instead. Reuters said it could not immediately verify the report.
- Reuters via Yahoo Finance · Aug 18, 2026 ·
Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
- Tom's Hardware · Aug 19, 2026 ·
ByteDance and Tencent have each taken delivery of roughly 10,000 Nvidia H200 accelerators in recent weeks, the Financial Times has reported, citing two people with knowledge of the matter, a development that would mark the first meaningful movement of the chips into mainland China since President Trump approved their export last December.
- Tom's Hardware · Aug 19, 2026 ·
Beijing wants most of each company's U.S.-licensed allowance, which the FT puts at up to 100,000 units apiece, kept off the mainland, with regulators directing buyers toward Hong Kong instead.
Editor's note: Rewritten 2026-09-17: the entry recorded only that Reuters could not verify the Financial Times report. The report and its numbers are the event; the Reuters caveat is kept as a second source.
- Reuters via Yahoo Finance · Aug 18, 2026 ·
- Financial
Nvidia reports China Hopper shipments were under 1% of data center revenue
Nvidia reported that Data Center Hopper shipments to China were less than 1% of Data Center revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2027. The quarter ended July 26, 2026.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Nvidia Form 10-Q · Aug 21, 2026 ·
Shipments of Data Center Hopper products to China during the second quarter of fiscal year 2027 were less than 1% of Data Center revenue.
Editor's note: Quote confirmed in the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 26, 2026 (fetched directly from EDGAR).
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Nvidia Form 10-Q · Aug 21, 2026 ·
- Shipment
US official says limited H200 shipments to China have begun
BIS Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler told Congress that H200 chips had been shipped to China or Hong Kong. He said the number of chips shipped to date was very few.
- Reuters via Yahoo Finance · Jul 14, 2026 ·
A top U.S. official told Congress on Tuesday that "very few" Nvidia H200 chips to date have been shipped to China or Hong Kong.
Editor's note: The page states that Commerce Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler told a House committee that H200 shipments to China or Hong Kong had begun and that the number shipped was "very few." It is dated July 14, 2026, matching the node date.
- Reuters via Yahoo Finance · Jul 14, 2026 ·
- Report
Reuters reports US approval of H200 sales to about 10 Chinese firms
Reuters reported that the United States had cleared roughly 10 Chinese companies to buy H200 chips. The report said deals had stalled and deliveries had not begun.
- Reuters via Yahoo Finance · May 14, 2026 ·
Despite U.S. approval, deals have stalled, as Chinese firms pulled back after guidance from Beijing, one source said.
Editor's note: The Reuters article is dated May 14, 2026 and states that the U.S. cleared around 10 Chinese firms to buy H200 chips. It also says no deliveries had been made and includes the quoted sentence.
- Reuters via Yahoo Finance · May 14, 2026 ·
- Legal
US prosecutors unseal charges over AI server diversion to China
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Yih-Shyan Liaw, Ruei-Tsang Chang, and Ting-Wei Sun with conspiring to divert U.S.-assembled high-performance computer servers to China in violation of export-control laws. Reuters later reported that prosecutors charged Sun and two others associated with Super Micro with conspiring to divert about US$2.5 billion of U.S. AI technology to China.
- U.S. Department of Justice, Southern District of New York · Mar 19, 2026 ·
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence and Espionage Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Roman Rozhavsky, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI, James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging YIH-SHYAN “WALLY” LIAW, RUEI-TSANG “STEVEN” CHANG, and TING-WEI “WILLY” SUN, for conspiring to divert high-performance computer servers assembled in the United States and integrating sophisticated U.S. artificial intelligence technology to China, in violation of U.S. export controls laws.
- Reuters · Oct 9, 2026 ·
In March, U.S. prosecutors charged Ting-Wei ‘Willy’ Sun and two others associated with Super Micro, including a co-founder, with conspiring to divert about $2.5 billion worth of U.S. AI technology to China in violation of export laws.
Editor's note: The DOJ release dated 2026-03-19 supports the unsealing, defendants, conduct, and export-control allegation. The cited Reuters article supports the later report regarding Sun, two others associated with Super Micro, and approximately $2.5 billion.
- U.S. Department of Justice, Southern District of New York · Mar 19, 2026 ·
- Announcement
Huang says Nvidia is licensed for many Chinese H200 customers, has orders, and is restarting production
Speaking to press at GTC 2026, Jensen Huang said Nvidia had been licensed for many customers in China for H200, had received purchase orders from many of them, and was restarting H200 manufacturing.
- The Register · Mar 17, 2026 ·
We've been licensed for many customers in China for H200. We have received purchase orders from many customers and we are in the process of restarting our manufacturing
is contradicted by Nvidia writes down US$0.4 billion of H200 inventory; says Beijing restricted licensed sales.
Editor's note: Quote confirmed on The Register's March 17, 2026 report.
- The Register · Mar 17, 2026 ·
- Regulatory
US grants Nvidia a license for small H200 shipments to China
The U.S. government granted Nvidia a license to ship small amounts of H200 products to specified China-based customers. Nvidia said the license required U.S. inspection before shipment.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Nvidia Form 10-K ·
In February 2026, the USG granted a license that would allow us to ship small amounts of H200 products to specific China-based customers.
Editor's note: The filing states that in February 2026 the USG granted NVIDIA a license to ship small amounts of H200 products to specified China-based customers. It also states that the license was subject to USG inspection before shipment.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Nvidia Form 10-K ·
- RegulatoryKey moment
Chinese customs agents are told H200 chips may not enter the country
Reuters reported that Chinese customs authorities had told agents the H200 was not permitted to enter China, and that officials had summoned domestic technology companies on January 13 and instructed them not to buy the chip unless necessary. One person said the wording was severe enough to amount to a ban for now. The directive came days after the Trump administration formally approved H200 exports to China with conditions, and the authorities gave no reasons and no indication whether it was formal or temporary.
- Reuters, via Rappler · Jan 14, 2026 ·
Chinese customs authorities told customs agents this week that Nvidia's H200 artificial intelligence chips are not permitted to enter China, according to three people briefed on the matter. Chinese government officials also summoned domestic technology companies to meetings on Tuesday, January 13, where they were explicitly instructed not to purchase the chips unless necessary, two of the people and a third source said.
- Reuters, via Rappler · Jan 14, 2026 ·
- RegulatoryKey moment
BIS moves H200 and MI325X exports to China to case-by-case review with security conditions
BIS revised its license review policy so that applications to export Nvidia H200, AMD MI325X and similar chips to China are reviewed case by case if the exporter shows no reduction in capacity for U.S. customers, the Chinese buyer has export-compliance screening, and the product passed independent third-party testing in the United States. The rule took effect on publication.
- Bureau of Industry and Security · Jan 13, 2026 ·
BIS will now review export license applications for the Nvidia H200, AMD MI325X, and similar chips on a case-by-case basis provided certain security requirements are met.
led to AMD receives some MI325 licenses for China, with a US inspection and a 25 percent tariff on the round trip on US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325X.
- Bureau of Industry and Security · Jan 13, 2026 ·
- Report
Reuters reports Chinese approval for over 400,000 H200 chips
Reuters reported that ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent had been approved to purchase more than 400,000 H200 chips in total. The report described the approvals as conditional and cited anonymous sources.
- Reuters · Jan 28, 2026 ·
ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent have been approved to purchase more than 400,000 H200 chips in total, with other firms now joining a queue for subsequent approvals, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Editor's note: The page states that ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent were approved to purchase more than 400,000 H200 chips in total, and it says the approvals were conditional and based on anonymous sources. The Reuters dateline is January 28, 2026, which matches the node's January 2026 date.
- Reuters · Jan 28, 2026 ·
202517 entries
- RegulatoryKey moment
Trump allows H200 sales to approved Chinese customers with a 25 percent cut for the US
The Trump administration reversed course and said Nvidia could sell its H200 to approved commercial customers in China vetted by the Commerce Department, with 25 percent of the revenue going to the U.S. government. Nvidia welcomed the decision.
- The Register · Dec 9, 2025 ·
Offering H200 to approved commercial customers, vetted by the Department of Commerce, strikes a thoughtful balance that is great for America.
- U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security · Jan 13, 2026 ·
Today’s rule follows President Trump’s December 8, 2025 announcement that the United States will allow the H200 and similar products to be shipped to approved customers in China to strengthen national security.
led to BIS moves the MI325X, alongside Nvidia's H200, to case-by-case review with security conditions on US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325X.
- The Register · Dec 9, 2025 ·
- Financial
NVIDIA says H20 sales were insignificant in the third quarter
NVIDIA reported that H20 sales were insignificant in the third quarter of fiscal 2026. The company disclosed the result in its CFO commentary.
- NVIDIA CFO Commentary · Nov 19, 2025 ·
H20 sales were insignificant in the third quarter.
Editor's note: The CFO Commentary states that H20 sales were insignificant in the third quarter of fiscal 2026. The page identifies the quarter as ended October 26, 2025, but does not state that the event occurred on 2025-11-19.
- NVIDIA CFO Commentary · Nov 19, 2025 ·
- RegulatoryKey moment
Beijing requires state-funded data centres to use domestic AI chips
Reuters reported that Beijing had issued guidance requiring any new data centre project that had taken state funds to use only domestically developed AI chips, and that projects less than 30 percent complete were told to remove foreign chips already installed or cancel planned purchases. More advanced projects would be assessed case by case. The rule reached Nvidia's H20, the part built specifically to satisfy the U.S. rules, and applied to a sector that had taken more than US$100 billion of state money.
- Reuters, via InvestingLive · Nov 5, 2025 ·
It is reported that Beijing has issued a guidance that requires new data centre projects that have received any state funds to only use domestically developed AI chips.
- Tom's Hardware ·
Projects that are less than 30% complete are allegedly being told to abandon or remove any foreign chips already in use.
- Reuters, via InvestingLive · Nov 5, 2025 ·
- Regulatory
Beijing orders Alibaba, ByteDance and others not to buy Nvidia's RTX Pro 6000D
The Financial Times reported, and The Register relayed, that the Cyberspace Administration of China had ordered Alibaba, ByteDance and other companies not to order Nvidia's China-specific RTX Pro 6000D Blackwell GPU.
- The Register · Sep 18, 2025 ·
China's Cyberspace Administration ordered Alibaba, ByteDance, and unnamed others not to order Nvidia's RTX Pro 6000D Blackwell GPUs, unnamed sources familiar with the matter told the Financial Times this week.
contradicts China says Nvidia violated its antimonopoly law over the Mellanox conditions on Nvidia's Dealmaking: From Mellanox and the Failed Arm Bid to Groq and Hugging Face.
Editor's note: The order's exact date is not public; the FT report ran on September 17 and The Register's on September 18.
- The Register · Sep 18, 2025 ·
- Legal
China's SAMR says a preliminary probe found Nvidia violated the Anti-Monopoly Law
The State Administration for Market Regulation said its preliminary investigation found Nvidia had violated China's Anti-Monopoly Law and the conditions attached to its 2020 approval of the Mellanox acquisition, and escalated the case to a formal investigation.
- The Register · Sep 15, 2025 ·
Recently, after preliminary investigation, Nvidia violated the Anti-Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China.
- State Administration for Market Regulation · Sep 15, 2025 ·
近日，经初步调查，英伟达公司违反《中华人民共和国反垄断法》和《市场监管总局关于附加限制性条件批准英伟达公司收购迈络思科技有限公司股权案反垄断审查决定的公告》，市场监管总局依法决定对其实施进一步调查。
- Reuters · Sep 15, 2025 ·
Nvidia said in a statement that it was complying with the law and would "continue to cooperate with all relevant government agencies as they evaluate the impact of export controls on competition in the commercial markets."
result of China's SAMR clears Mellanox with conditions after a year-long review on Nvidia's Dealmaking: From Mellanox and the Failed Arm Bid to Groq and Hugging Face.
- The Register · Sep 15, 2025 ·
- Financial
No H20 sales to China in the quarter; Nvidia assumes none in its outlook
Second-quarter fiscal 2026 results showed no H20 sales to China-based customers, a US$180 million release of previously reserved H20 inventory tied to about US$650 million of sales to a customer outside China, and a third-quarter outlook that assumed no H20 shipments to China.
- Nvidia Newsroom · Aug 27, 2025 ·
There were no H20 sales to China-based customers in the second quarter.
contradicts Nvidia says the US has assured it H20 licenses will be granted and sales to China will resume.
- Nvidia Newsroom · Aug 27, 2025 ·
- RegulatoryKey moment
Chinese authorities discourage use of H20 in government and security-related work
Chinese authorities sent letters to companies discouraging use of Nvidia's H20 for AI work, particularly by firms involved in government or national security-related projects, days after the U.S. cleared the chip for export again.
- The Register · Aug 12, 2025 ·
Chinese authorities have sent letters to several firms discouraging the use of Nvidia's H20 GPUs for AI applications, particularly by those involved in government or national security-related work.
- The Register · Aug 12, 2025 ·
- Report
Nvidia and AMD to pay the US government 15 percent of H20 and MI308 revenue from China
Reports, first from the Financial Times, said Nvidia and AMD had agreed to hand the U.S. government 15 percent of revenue from H20 and MI308 sales in China as the condition for export licenses. The Register described the arrangement as revealed that week; President Trump confirmed the terms publicly.
- The Register · Aug 12, 2025 ·
This deal, it was revealed this week, involved cutting Uncle Sam a check for 15 percent of H20 and MI308 revenues.
was answered by Six senators urge Trump to reverse AMD and Nvidia China chip arrangement on US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325X.
Editor's note: The deal was reported on August 10 and confirmed on August 11; The Register's write-up is dated August 12.
- The Register · Aug 12, 2025 ·
- Response
NVIDIA denies its chips contain backdoors, kill switches or spyware
NVIDIA said its chips contain no backdoors, kill switches, or spyware. The statement addressed allegations concerning NVIDIA chips.
- NVIDIA Blog · Aug 5, 2025 ·
There are no back doors in NVIDIA chips. No kill switches. No spyware.
responded to China's cyberspace regulator summons Nvidia over alleged H20 backdoor risks.
Editor's note: Dated to the month on 2026-09-17: the Nvidia blog post carries no date on the page, and August 5 could not be confirmed from a source a reader can open.
- NVIDIA Blog · Aug 5, 2025 ·
- Regulatory
US grants Nvidia licenses for certain H20 shipments to China
The U.S. government granted Nvidia licenses to ship certain H20 products to certain China-based customers. Nvidia later reported about $60 million in H20 revenue under those licenses.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Nvidia Form 10-K ·
In August 2025, the USG granted licenses that would allow us to ship certain H20 products to certain China-based customers.
Editor's note: The filing states that in August 2025 the U.S. government granted licenses for certain H20 shipments to certain China-based customers. It also reports approximately $60 million in H20 revenue under those licenses.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Nvidia Form 10-K ·
- Regulatory
China's cyberspace regulator summons Nvidia over alleged H20 backdoor risks
The Cyberspace Administration of China said it had interviewed Nvidia and asked it to explain security risks from backdoor vulnerabilities in H20 chips sold to China and to submit supporting material. Nvidia said its chips have no backdoors that would allow remote access or control.
- The Register · Jul 31, 2025 ·
In order to maintain the network security and data security of Chinese users, the State Internet Information Office interviewed Nvidia on July 31, 2025, and asked Nvidia to explain the security risks of the backdoor vulnerabilities in the H20 chips sold to China and submit relevant supporting materials.
responded to Nvidia says the US has assured it H20 licenses will be granted and sales to China will resume. was answered by NVIDIA denies its chips contain backdoors, kill switches or spyware.
- The Register · Jul 31, 2025 ·
- AnnouncementKey moment
Nvidia says the US has assured it H20 licenses will be granted and sales to China will resume
After Jensen Huang met officials in Washington and travelled to Beijing, Nvidia said the U.S. government had assured it that H20 export licenses would be granted and that it hoped to start deliveries soon. It also announced an RTX Pro GPU aimed at the China market.
- Nvidia Blog · Jul 14, 2025 ·
The U.S. government has assured NVIDIA that licenses will be granted, and NVIDIA hopes to start deliveries soon.
was answered by China's cyberspace regulator summons Nvidia over alleged H20 backdoor risks. is contradicted by No H20 sales to China in the quarter; Nvidia assumes none in its outlook. led to Commerce will resume reviewing MI308 licenses; AMD says shipments will restart once approved on US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325X.
- Nvidia Blog · Jul 14, 2025 ·
- Financial
NVIDIA reports US$4.6 billion in H20 sales before licensing change
NVIDIA reported US$4.6 billion in H20 product sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 before the new export licensing requirements. The company disclosed the sales figure in its quarterly filing.
- NVIDIA Form 10-Q filed with SEC · May 28, 2025 ·
Sales of our H20 products were $4.6 billion for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 prior to the new export licensing requirements.
Editor's note: The quarterly filing states that H20 product sales were $4.6 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 before the new export licensing requirements. The filing supports the May 28, 2025 reporting date.
- NVIDIA Form 10-Q filed with SEC · May 28, 2025 ·
- FinancialKey moment
Nvidia takes a US$4.5 billion H20 charge, loses US$2.5 billion in shipments, expects US$8 billion hit next quarter
In first-quarter fiscal 2026 results Nvidia recorded a US$4.5 billion charge for H20 excess inventory and purchase obligations, said it could not ship a further US$2.5 billion of H20 revenue, and guided second-quarter revenue of US$45 billion reflecting about US$8 billion of lost H20 revenue.
- Nvidia Newsroom · May 28, 2025 ·
NVIDIA incurred a $4.5 billion charge in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 associated with H20 excess inventory and purchase obligations as the demand for H20 diminished.
result of US requires a license for H20 exports to China; Nvidia flags up to US$5.5 billion in charges.
- Nvidia Newsroom · May 28, 2025 ·
- Regulatory
Commerce rescinds the AI Diffusion rule and issues new chip guidance
The Department of Commerce announced the rescission of the Biden-era AI Diffusion rule two days before its compliance date, alongside guidance on the risks of using Chinese advanced computing chips, including specific Huawei Ascend parts, and on preventing diversion of U.S. chips.
- Bureau of Industry and Security · May 13, 2025 ·
Today, the Department of Commerce (DOC) announced a rescission of the Biden Administration's AI Diffusion Rule, while rolling out additional steps to strengthen export controls on semiconductors worldwide.
contradicts Biden administration issues the AI Diffusion framework with worldwide chip allocations.
- Bureau of Industry and Security · May 13, 2025 ·
- RegulatoryKey moment
US requires a license for H20 exports to China; Nvidia flags up to US$5.5 billion in charges
Nvidia disclosed that on April 9 the government required a license for exports of H20 and any chip with its memory or interconnect bandwidth to China, Hong Kong, Macau and D:5 countries, and on April 14 said the requirement would apply indefinitely. Nvidia expected up to about US$5.5 billion of first-quarter charges for H20 inventory, purchase commitments and reserves.
- Nvidia Form 8-K · Apr 15, 2025 ·
On April 9, 2025, the U.S. government, or USG, informed NVIDIA Corporation, or the Company, that the USG requires a license for export to China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and D:5 countries, or to companies headquartered or with an ultimate parent therein, of the Company’s H20 integrated circuits and any other circuits achieving the H20’s memory bandwidth, interconnect bandwidth, or combination thereof.
- Nvidia Form 8-K · Apr 15, 2025 ·
- Regulatory
Biden administration issues the AI Diffusion framework with worldwide chip allocations
BIS announced controls on advanced computing chips and certain closed AI model weights, with country allocations under which license applications were reviewed with a presumption of approval up to a quota and arms-embargoed countries such as China faced a presumption of denial regardless of quantity.
- Bureau of Industry and Security · Jan 13, 2025 ·
Today, the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced controls on advanced computing chips and certain closed artificial intelligence (AI) model weights, alongside new license exceptions and updates to the Data Center Validated End User (VEU) authorization.
is contradicted by Commerce rescinds the AI Diffusion rule and issues new chip guidance.
- Bureau of Industry and Security · Jan 13, 2025 ·
- Dec 8, 2025Trump allows H200 sales to approved Chinese customers with a 25 percent cut for the US
- Nov 19, 2025NVIDIA says H20 sales were insignificant in the third quarter
- Nov 5, 2025Beijing requires state-funded data centres to use domestic AI chips
- Sep 17, 2025Beijing orders Alibaba, ByteDance and others not to buy Nvidia's RTX Pro 6000D
- Sep 15, 2025China's SAMR says a preliminary probe found Nvidia violated the Anti-Monopoly Law
- Aug 27, 2025No H20 sales to China in the quarter; Nvidia assumes none in its outlook
- Aug 12, 2025Chinese authorities discourage use of H20 in government and security-related work
- Aug 11, 2025Nvidia and AMD to pay the US government 15 percent of H20 and MI308 revenue from China
- Aug 5, 2025NVIDIA denies its chips contain backdoors, kill switches or spyware
- Aug 2025US grants Nvidia licenses for certain H20 shipments to China
- Jul 31, 2025China's cyberspace regulator summons Nvidia over alleged H20 backdoor risks
- Jul 14, 2025Nvidia says the US has assured it H20 licenses will be granted and sales to China will resume
- May 28, 2025NVIDIA reports US$4.6 billion in H20 sales before licensing change
- May 28, 2025Nvidia takes a US$4.5 billion H20 charge, loses US$2.5 billion in shipments, expects US$8 billion hit next quarter
- May 13, 2025Commerce rescinds the AI Diffusion rule and issues new chip guidance
- Apr 9, 2025US requires a license for H20 exports to China; Nvidia flags up to US$5.5 billion in charges
- Jan 13, 2025Biden administration issues the AI Diffusion framework with worldwide chip allocations
20244 entries
- Regulatory
China opens an antitrust investigation into Nvidia
China's State Administration for Market Regulation opened an investigation into Nvidia. The investigation concerned suspected Anti-Monopoly Law violations and conditions attached to approval of Nvidia's Mellanox acquisition.
- State Administration for Market Regulation (Chinese) · Dec 9, 2024 ·
市场监管总局依法决定立案调查
- The Register · Dec 9, 2024 ·
In recent days, due to Nvidia's suspected violation of China's anti-monopoly law and the State Administration for Market Regulation's restrictive conditions around Nvidia's acquisition of Mellanox shares ... the State Administration for Market Regulation is opening a probe into Nvidia in accordance with law.
result of China's SAMR clears Mellanox with conditions after a year-long review on Nvidia's Dealmaking: From Mellanox and the Failed Arm Bid to Groq and Hugging Face. led to China says Nvidia violated its antimonopoly law over the Mellanox conditions on Nvidia's Dealmaking: From Mellanox and the Failed Arm Bid to Groq and Hugging Face.
Editor's note: The page states that SAMR opened a case investigation into Nvidia for suspected violations of the Anti-Monopoly Law and the conditions attached to approval of its Mellanox acquisition. It is published on 2024-12-09 at 19:30.
- State Administration for Market Regulation (Chinese) · Dec 9, 2024 ·
- Regulatory
BIS adds HBM, 24 equipment types and 140 entities in its third China package
The Bureau of Industry and Security issued a third round of controls aimed at China's ability to make advanced-node chips: new licence requirements on 24 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and three software tools, the first controls on high-bandwidth memory, red-flag guidance aimed at diversion, and 140 Entity List additions with 14 modifications covering Chinese tool makers, fabs and investment companies. The package did not change what Nvidia could sell, but it put a licence between Chinese AI systems and the memory they need, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo called it the culmination of the administration's approach.
- Bureau of Industry and Security · Dec 2, 2024 ·
The rules include new controls on 24 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and 3 types of software tools for developing or producing semiconductors; new controls on high-bandwidth memory (HBM); new red flag guidance to address compliance and diversion concerns; 140 Entity List additions and 14 modifications spanning PRC tool manufacturers, semiconductor fabs, and investment companies involved in advancing the PRC government's military modernization
- Bureau of Industry and Security · Dec 2, 2024 ·
- Report
H20 sells below Huawei's chip as supply outruns Chinese demand
Reuters reported that Nvidia had cut H20 prices in China, where oversupply left the chip selling at more than a 10 percent discount to Huawei's competing part. The first export-compliant chip Nvidia built for China after the October 2023 rules was therefore competing on price against the domestic alternative it was meant to hold off.
- TrendForce, citing Reuters · May 24, 2024 ·
an oversupply caused the chip to be priced lower than its rival, Huawei, in some cases even at an over 10% discount
- TrendForce, citing Reuters · May 24, 2024 ·
- Update
Huang says Nvidia is sampling two China chips that comply without a licence
After Nvidia's quarterly results, Jensen Huang told Reuters the company was sampling two new China-market AI chips with customers and that both complied with the rules without needing a licence. He did not name the chips or the customers. The move was Nvidia's attempt to defend a market position that the October 2023 controls had put at risk.
- Reuters, via Yahoo ·
We're sampling it with customers now. Both of them comply with the regulation without a license. We're looking forward to customer feedback on it," Huang told Reuters on Wednesday in an interview after releasing Nvidia's quarterly results.
- Reuters, via Yahoo ·
- Dec 9, 2024China opens an antitrust investigation into Nvidia
- Dec 2, 2024BIS adds HBM, 24 equipment types and 140 entities in its third China package
- May 24, 2024H20 sells below Huawei's chip as supply outruns Chinese demand
- Feb 2024Huang says Nvidia is sampling two China chips that comply without a licence
20236 entries
- Delay
Nvidia delays the H20 launch in China to the first quarter of 2024
Reuters reported, citing two people familiar with the matter, that Nvidia had told Chinese customers it was delaying the launch of the export-compliant H20 until the first quarter of 2024, because server makers were having trouble integrating the chip into their systems. Nvidia was also preparing the L20 and L2 for the same market. Its shares closed down about 1.9 percent.
- CNBC · Nov 24, 2023 ·
Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the matter, reported that Nvidia told Chinese customers that it is delaying the launch of an AI chip that is designed to comply with U.S. export rules until the first quarter of next year.
- CNBC · Nov 24, 2023 ·
- Report
Reports say Nvidia is preparing H20, L20 and L2 chips that fit under the new China limits
The Register, citing Chinese outlet Chinastarmarket and supply chain sources, reported that Nvidia was working on three GPUs for China, the H20, L20 and L2, engineered to stay below the performance thresholds in the October 2023 rules, with an announcement possible as early as November 16.
- The Register · Nov 9, 2023 ·
According to Chinastarmarket, which cites supply chain sources, the GPUs include the H20, L20, and L2, and could be announced as early as November 16
- The Register · Nov 9, 2023 ·
- Regulatory
US makes the new licensing requirements effective immediately for Nvidia's data center parts
Nvidia disclosed that the government had told it the October 2023 licensing requirements for products with a total processing performance of 4800 or more, designed for data centers, were effective immediately rather than after the planned 30-day period, affecting A100, A800, H100, H800 and L40S shipments.
- Nvidia Form 8-K · Oct 24, 2023 ·
These licensing requirements were originally to be effective after a 30-day period, as first described in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 17, 2023.
- Nvidia Form 8-K · Oct 24, 2023 ·
- RegulatoryKey moment
BIS tightens the chip rules, dropping the interconnect-bandwidth test that A800 and H800 were built around
BIS released updated rules on advanced computing chips and chipmaking equipment. Among the changes it removed interconnect bandwidth as a parameter for identifying restricted chips, which brought Nvidia's China-specific A800 and H800 within the controls, and extended license requirements to more countries. Nvidia's same-day filing listed A100, A800, H100, H800, L40, L40S and RTX 4090 as covered.
- Bureau of Industry and Security · Oct 17, 2023 ·
Based on public comments, recent technological developments, and analysis of the prior rule's national security impact, the AC/S IFR removes 'interconnect bandwidth' as a parameter for identifying restricted chips.
led to Reports say Nvidia is preparing H20, L20 and L2 chips that fit under the new China limits.
- Bureau of Industry and Security · Oct 17, 2023 ·
- Report
China's internet giants order US$5 billion of Nvidia chips before feared new controls
The Financial Times reported that Baidu, ByteDance, Tencent and Alibaba had ordered about 100,000 A800 processors worth US$1 billion for delivery that year, and a further US$4 billion of GPUs for 2024, rushing to secure supply amid fears of further U.S. export controls. Demand for the compliant part was intact two months before the October 2023 rules removed the test it was designed around.
- Financial Times, via Malay Mail · Aug 10, 2023 ·
Baidu, TikTok-owner ByteDance, Tencent and Alibaba have made orders worth US$1 billion to acquire about 100,000 A800 processors from the US chipmaker to be delivered this year, the FT reported, citing multiple people familiar with the matter.
- Financial Times, via Malay Mail · Aug 10, 2023 ·
- Update
Nvidia ships an export-legal H100, the H800, to Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent
Nvidia said it had modified its flagship H100 into a version legal to export to China, the H800, and that the cloud computing units of Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent were already using it. It was the same move as the A800 applied to the newer generation, and Jensen Huang pointed Chinese startups building large language models at those clouds.
- Reuters, via Malay Mail · Mar 22, 2023 ·
The new chip, called the H800, is being used by the cloud computing units of Chinese technology firms such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, Baidu Inc and Tencent Holdings Ltd, a company spokesperson said.
led to Lisa Su: China is an 'important' market and AMD sees room for a compliant AI chip on US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325X.
- Reuters, via Malay Mail · Mar 22, 2023 ·
- Nov 24, 2023Nvidia delays the H20 launch in China to the first quarter of 2024
- Nov 9, 2023Reports say Nvidia is preparing H20, L20 and L2 chips that fit under the new China limits
- Oct 23, 2023US makes the new licensing requirements effective immediately for Nvidia's data center parts
- Oct 17, 2023BIS tightens the chip rules, dropping the interconnect-bandwidth test that A800 and H800 were built around
- Aug 10, 2023China's internet giants order US$5 billion of Nvidia chips before feared new controls
- Mar 22, 2023Nvidia ships an export-legal H100, the H800, to Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent
20223 entries
- Update
Nvidia unveils the A800, a slowed A100 built to sit under the October rules
Two months after the U.S. cut off the A100 and H100, Nvidia offered the A800 as an alternative for Chinese customers, saying it met the government's test for reduced export control and could not be programmed to exceed it. The part had gone into production in the third quarter. Nvidia had previously said the ban could affect as much as US$400 million of third-quarter sales to China.
- TechCrunch · Nov 7, 2022 ·
The A800 meets the U.S. government's clear test for reduced export control and cannot be programmed to exceed it.
- TechCrunch · Nov 7, 2022 ·
- Regulatory
BIS publishes the October 2022 rules on advanced computing chips and chipmaking tools for China
The Bureau of Industry and Security issued a package of export controls restricting advanced computing chips, supercomputer and semiconductor end uses, and chipmaking equipment for China. The advanced computing and supercomputer controls took effect on October 21, 2022, turning the company-specific August letter into a general rule.
- Bureau of Industry and Security · Oct 7, 2022 ·
The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is implementing a series of targeted updates to its export controls as part of BIS's ongoing efforts to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.
- Bureau of Industry and Security · Oct 7, 2022 ·
- RegulatoryKey moment
US imposes a license requirement on Nvidia A100 and H100 exports to China
Nvidia disclosed that the U.S. government had imposed, effective immediately, a license requirement for exports of its A100 and forthcoming H100 chips to China, including Hong Kong, and Russia, along with systems containing them and any future chip at A100-level performance. Nvidia said it did not sell to Russia and that the rule could affect H100 development and A100 support.
- Nvidia Form 8-K · Aug 31, 2022 ·
On August 26, 2022, the U.S. government, or USG, informed NVIDIA Corporation, or the Company, that the USG has imposed a new license requirement, effective immediately, for any future export to China (including Hong Kong) and Russia of the Company’s A100 and forthcoming H100 integrated circuits.
- Nvidia Form 8-K · Aug 31, 2022 ·
Questions this timeline answers
Each one is an ordered set of dated entries, most of them from this page, with a line on why each step led to the next.
- Why does Nvidia now sell almost no data-center chips in China?
- Why is Nvidia excluding China data-center compute revenue from its outlook?
- How did U.S. controls move from A100 and H100 restrictions to H20 and H200 licenses?
- How did the 2025 U.S. license rule disrupt Nvidia and AMD chip sales to China?
- Why did H20 need a U.S. license even though Nvidia designed it for China?
- How did AMD resume MI308 sales to China after the April 2025 halt?
Cause and effect
- BIS tightens the chip rules, dropping the interconnect-bandwidth test that A800 and H800 were built aroundled to →Reports say Nvidia is preparing H20, L20 and L2 chips that fit under the new China limitsNew thresholds prompted a third round of China-specific parts, including H20.
- US requires a license for H20 exports to China; Nvidia flags up to US$5.5 billion in chargesled to →Nvidia takes a US$4.5 billion H20 charge, loses US$2.5 billion in shipments, expects US$8 billion hit next quarterThe license requirement produced the write-down and lost shipments reported in May.
- Nvidia says the US has assured it H20 licenses will be granted and sales to China will resumewas answered by →China's cyberspace regulator summons Nvidia over alleged H20 backdoor risksBeijing's security summons came seventeen days after the US cleared H20 sales.
- Nvidia says the US has assured it H20 licenses will be granted and sales to China will resumeis contradicted by →No H20 sales to China in the quarter; Nvidia assumes none in its outlookNvidia hoped to start deliveries soon, yet recorded no China H20 sales that quarter and assumed none ahead.
- Biden administration issues the AI Diffusion framework with worldwide chip allocationsis contradicted by →Commerce rescinds the AI Diffusion rule and issues new chip guidanceThe worldwide allocation framework was rescinded before it took effect.
- Huang says Nvidia is licensed for many Chinese H200 customers, has orders, and is restarting productionis contradicted by →Nvidia writes down US$0.4 billion of H200 inventory; says Beijing restricted licensed salesIn March Nvidia said it was restarting H200 production on Chinese orders; by August it had written down H200 stock and shipped a fraction of what was licensed.
- China's cyberspace regulator summons Nvidia over alleged H20 backdoor riskswas answered by →NVIDIA denies its chips contain backdoors, kill switches or spywareNVIDIA's August 5 statement denied backdoors, kill switches, and spyware after the existing July 31 CAC summons over alleged H20 backdoor risks.
- China's SAMR clears Mellanox with conditions after a year-long review on Nvidia's Dealmaking: From Mellanox and the Failed Arm Bid to Groq and Hugging Faceled to →China opens an antitrust investigation into NvidiaSAMR's 2020 approval imposed conditions on Nvidia's Mellanox acquisition, and its later investigation concerned suspected violations of those approval conditions.
- China's SAMR clears Mellanox with conditions after a year-long review on Nvidia's Dealmaking: From Mellanox and the Failed Arm Bid to Groq and Hugging Faceled to →China's SAMR says a preliminary probe found Nvidia violated the Anti-Monopoly LawChina's 2020 approval of Nvidia's Mellanox acquisition imposed conditions, and SAMR's later preliminary finding said Nvidia had violated those approval conditions.
- Nvidia ships an export-legal H100, the H800, to Alibaba, Baidu and Tencentled to →Lisa Su: China is an 'important' market and AMD sees room for a compliant AI chip on US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325XAMD's Lisa Su said its planned China-compliant accelerator would follow Nvidia's A800 and H800 approach, and Nvidia had already described the export-legal H800.
- China opens an antitrust investigation into Nvidialed to →China says Nvidia violated its antimonopoly law over the Mellanox conditions on Nvidia's Dealmaking: From Mellanox and the Failed Arm Bid to Groq and Hugging FaceSAMR opened an investigation into suspected violations of the Mellanox-approval conditions, and the later preliminary finding said Nvidia had violated the law and those conditions.
- Nvidia says the US has assured it H20 licenses will be granted and sales to China will resumeled to →Commerce will resume reviewing MI308 licenses; AMD says shipments will restart once approved on US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325XAfter Nvidia said the U.S. had assured it that H20 licenses would be granted, AMD said the next day that Commerce would resume reviewing MI308 license applications.
- Nvidia and AMD to pay the US government 15 percent of H20 and MI308 revenue from Chinawas answered by →Six senators urge Trump to reverse AMD and Nvidia China chip arrangement on US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325XAfter Nvidia and AMD agreed to pay the U.S. government 15 percent of China chip revenue as a license condition, six senators urged Trump to reverse that fee-based sales arrangement.
- China says Nvidia violated its antimonopoly law over the Mellanox conditions on Nvidia's Dealmaking: From Mellanox and the Failed Arm Bid to Groq and Hugging Faceis contradicted by →Beijing orders Alibaba, ByteDance and others not to buy Nvidia's RTX Pro 6000DA says SAMR's September 15 finding came a week before Beijing told companies to stop buying Nvidia China chips, while B dates Beijing's order not to buy the RTX Pro 6000D to September 17, two days later.
- Trump allows H200 sales to approved Chinese customers with a 25 percent cut for the USled to →BIS moves the MI325X, alongside Nvidia's H200, to case-by-case review with security conditions on US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325XBIS moved the MI325X to case-by-case review following Trump's December 8 decision to permit H200-class sales to approved Chinese customers.
- BIS moves H200 and MI325X exports to China to case-by-case review with security conditionsled to →AMD receives some MI325 licenses for China, with a US inspection and a 25 percent tariff on the round trip on US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325XAMD said its February MI325 licenses were granted under the January policy that put MI325X exports to China under case-by-case review with U.S. inspection conditions.
Where sources disagree or fall silent
- Whether the reported Chinese customs prohibition on H200 imports is a formal, nationwide and lasting rule, and how it applies to shipments directed to Hong Kong.
- How many H200 units have actually reached mainland Chinese customers: reports described deliveries to ByteDance and Tencent, but Reuters said it could not independently verify them, while Nvidia said it had shipped only a fraction of licensed units.
- Whether Beijing will permit meaningful purchases of newer Nvidia China-market products, including the RTX Pro 5500, after restricting H20, RTX Pro 6000D and foreign chips at state-funded data centres.
- What remedies, penalties or operational restrictions will result from SAMR’s formal antitrust investigation of Nvidia.
- Whether the U.S. diversion investigations will uncover broader channels through Southeast Asia or other intermediaries for restricted AI servers and GPUs.
What to watch next
- Nov 30, 2026 — Nvidia GTC Washington, D.C. begins Nvidia’s November 30–December 3 conference is a scheduled public forum where management may update investors and policymakers on U.S. export policy and China-market access.
- Mar 14, 2027 — Nvidia GTC 2027 in San Jose begins Nvidia’s March 14–18 conference is its next scheduled major management event and could provide an update on China licensing, shipments and demand.
Who is involved
- Nvidiacompany
The supplier whose China data-center GPU sales have repeatedly been limited, redesigned, licensed and constrained by both governments.
- H20product
Nvidia’s China-specific Hopper chip, placed under U.S. licensing in April 2025 and then discouraged by Chinese authorities.
- U.S. Department of Commerceregulator
Department responsible for the export-control actions and later licensing decisions affecting Nvidia and AMD chips.
- H200product
The higher-performance Nvidia chip now subject to case-by-case U.S. licensing, with Chinese restrictions limiting licensed sales.
- U.S. governmentregulator
Authority that granted Nvidia licenses for H20 and H200 shipments.
- Alibabacompany
Chinese cloud and technology company that used or sought Nvidia China-market chips and was reported to have H200 import approval.
- ByteDancecompany
Chinese technology company reported as an H200-approved buyer and one of the first recipients of meaningful H200 deliveries.
- Tencentcompany
Chinese technology company reported as an H200-approved buyer and one of the first recipients of meaningful H200 deliveries.
34 more
- Donald Trumpperson
President whose administration announced in December 2025 that approved Chinese customers could buy H200 chips under a revenue-sharing arrangement.
- Huaweicompany
The domestic AI-chip competitor benefiting from Chinese demand and procurement policies favoring local accelerators.
- Jensen Huangperson
Nvidia’s chief executive, who sought U.S. license relief and said in March 2026 that Nvidia was restarting H200 production for licensed Chinese customers.
- AMDcompany
Nvidia’s peer whose MI308 and MI325X chips were included in the U.S. revenue-sharing and H200-like license-policy actions.
- Cyberspace Administration of Chinaregulator
Questioned Nvidia over alleged H20 backdoor risks and was reported to have directed companies not to buy the RTX Pro 6000D.
- Baiducompany
A Chinese cloud and AI company that used Nvidia’s H800 and participated in the earlier rush to obtain compliant Nvidia chips.
- Chinese governmentregulator
Has discouraged or restricted use and import of Nvidia chips while promoting domestic AI chips in state-backed projects.
Opened and later formalized an antitrust investigation into Nvidia concerning the Mellanox acquisition approval conditions.
- Ting-Wei Sunperson
Charged in the diversion case, later named in a superseding information, and reported to have pleaded guilty.
- U.S. Department of Justiceregulator
Has brought recent criminal cases alleging diversion of export-controlled AI servers containing U.S. GPUs to China.
- Aivrescompany
Aivres exported advanced technology to Southeast Asia, including computers carrying Nvidia Blackwell chips that ultimately served Chinese customers.
- Asuscompany
Manufacturer of the 32 servers identified in the reported contract.
- B300product
Nvidia chip model reported as installed in the 32 Asus servers.
- DeepSeekcompany
A Chinese AI company reported to be planning a large Huawei-chip cluster rather than Nvidia parts.
- Earthmade Computer Inc.company
Technology company whose owner was arrested in the alleged smuggling case.
- Foxconncompany
Company reported to have been approved as an H200 distributor.
- Glory View Technologycompany
Reportedly acquired servers under the financing arrangement.
- Greg Luiperson
Earthmade Computer Inc. owner arrested on federal charges alleging export-controlled server smuggling.
- House Select Committee on Chinaregulator
Congressional committee that published Moolenaar's request.
- Inspurcompany
Inspur is Aivres's parent group and was added to the Entity List in 2023.
- JD.comcompany
Chinese company named in the Reuters report as an approved H200 buyer.
- Jeffrey Kesslerperson
BIS under secretary who told Congress that very few H200 chips had shipped.
- John Moolenaarperson
House Select Committee on China chairman who urged tighter U.S. AI controls on China.
- Lenovocompany
Company reported to have been approved to sell H200 chips in China.
- Mellanoxcompany
Nvidia acquisition whose Chinese merger-approval conditions are central to SAMR's antitrust investigation.
- Ministry of Industry and Information Technologyregulator
Reportedly requested companies' plans to purchase RTX PRO 5500 chips.
- People’s Republic of Chinaregulator
Country targeted by the requested tighter controls.
- RTX PRO 5500product
Is the NVIDIA GPU for which Chinese companies were reportedly asked to submit purchase plans.
- Ruei-Tsang Changperson
Charged with conspiring to divert U.S.-assembled AI servers to China.
- Semi-Tech Leasing Groupcompany
Reportedly financed Glory View Technology's server acquisition.
- Super Micro Computercompany
Company with which Reuters reported Sun and two others were associated.
- U.S. Congressregulator
Included lawmakers whom NVIDIA and AMD reportedly sought to dissuade from adding restrictions to the defense bill.
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New Yorkother
Court whose docket recorded the unsealing of Sun's superseding information and a plea-entered event.
- Yih-Shyan Liawperson
Charged with conspiring to divert U.S.-assembled AI servers to China.
Changelog
- Added 2 entries: 2026-03-19 US prosecutors unseal charges over AI server diversion to China; 2026-10-08 Ting-Wei Sun pleads guilty in Manhattan federal court.
- Added 2 entries: 2026-10-01 California man charged with smuggling $300 million in GPU servers to China; 2026-10-02 Bloomberg: a Chinese state-owned lender financed purchases of restricted Nvidia chips.
- Linked 1 entry with US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325X. Added 2 entries: 2026-09 China's industry ministry seeks RTX PRO 5500 purchase plans; 2026-09 NVIDIA and AMD lobby against additional China chip restrictions.
- Linked 1 entry with Nvidia's Dealmaking: From Mellanox and the Failed Arm Bid to Groq and Hugging Face. Added 1 entry: 2026-09-18 Moolenaar asks Trump to tighten AI controls before the Xi summit.
- Linked 1 entry with US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325X.
- Added 3 hand-verified entries by the editor. Added 3 hand-verified entries by the editor. Added 3 hand-verified entries by the editor. Linked 1 entry with Nvidia's Dealmaking: From Mellanox and the Failed Arm Bid to Groq and Hugging Face. Added 4 entries: 2025-05-28 NVIDIA reports US$4.6 billion in H20 sales before licensing change; 2025-08 NVIDIA denies its chips contain backdoors, kill switches or spyware; 2025-11-19 NVIDIA says H20 sales were insignificant in the third quarter; 2026-01 Reuters reports Chinese approval for over 400,000 H200 chips. Added 2 hand-verified entries by the editor.
- Linked 1 entry with Nvidia's Dealmaking: From Mellanox and the Failed Arm Bid to Groq and Hugging Face.
- Linked 2 entries with Nvidia's Dealmaking: From Mellanox and the Failed Arm Bid to Groq and Hugging Face. Linked 3 entries with US Export Controls on AMD's AI Chips in China: From the MI250 License to MI308 and MI325X.
- Added 10 entries: 2024-12-09 China opens an antitrust investigation into Nvidia; 2025-08 US grants Nvidia licenses for certain H20 shipments to China; 2026-02 US grants Nvidia a license for small H200 shipments to China; 2026-03-17 Huang says Nvidia is licensed for many Chinese H200 customers, has orders, and is restarting production and 6 more. Added 18 hand-verified entries by the editor.
A research pass records each dated fact with the page it came from and a verbatim quote. A second, independent pass re-opens every cited page and rejects entries it cannot confirm. The editor reviews what remains before it is published, and every change is listed above. Full method.