Taiwanese server manufacturer Inventec said a decision on whether Nvidia will be able to sell its H200 artificial intelligence chip in China appears to be stalled on the Chinese side, despite recent approval from U.S. authorities.
The United States formally cleared exports of the H200 chip to China last week under specific conditions. However, uncertainty remains after reports that Chinese customs authorities informed agents that the chip was not permitted to enter the country. It remains unclear whether this represents a formal ban or a temporary administrative measure.
Inventec, a major contract manufacturer of notebooks and AI servers, uses Nvidia chips in several of its products, including systems incorporating the H200. The company produces servers for Chinese customers primarily at its factory in Shanghai, making regulatory clarity crucial for its operations.
“It depends on the political direction, because the issue ultimately comes down to whether China allows it,” Inventec President Jack Tsai said during a press conference in Taipei. He added that while the United States is open to exports, the process currently appears blocked on China’s side. Tsai noted that Inventec will continue discussions with Chinese customers but cannot proceed if regulations prohibit sales.
The H200, Nvidia’s second most powerful AI chip, has become a sensitive issue amid ongoing U.S.–China technology tensions. Although demand from Chinese companies remains strong, Beijing’s position is still unclear. Analysts say China may be weighing whether to restrict the chip to support domestic semiconductor firms, assess the implications of U.S. export conditions, or potentially use the issue as leverage in broader negotiations with Washington.
The situation highlights the growing complexity facing global technology supply chains as geopolitical considerations increasingly shape access to advanced semiconductors.
