China has intensified checks on Nvidia’s AI chip imports, deploying customs officials to major ports to enforce U.S. export control compliance and advance its push for self-reliant semiconductor production, the Financial Times reported.
The inspections, initially limited to Nvidia’s H20 and RTX Pro 6000D models — modified to meet U.S. trade rules — have now broadened to all advanced chips that could fall under American restrictions. Neither Nvidia nor China Customs has issued statements, and Reuters said it could not confirm the report.
The stricter enforcement marks a new phase in Beijing’s technology standoff with Washington, where access to high-performance AI chips has become a flashpoint. Chinese regulators have recently halted major Nvidia chip orders and accused the company of antitrust violations, while U.S. authorities continue to limit advanced chip exports.
Despite growing domestic alternatives from Huawei and others, Chinese tech engineers admit Nvidia’s processors still outperform local models. The checks also follow reports that $1 billion worth of Nvidia chips were smuggled into China earlier this year.
