Inventec Says Nvidia H200 Chip Clearance Still Awaiting China’s Nod

Taiwan-based server maker Inventec has said that the approval for Nvidia’s H200 artificial intelligence chip to enter China is facing delays on the Chinese side, despite clearance from the United States.

Speaking at a press briefing in Taipei, Inventec President Jack Tsai explained that while U.S. authorities have formally approved exports of the H200 chip to China under certain conditions, the final decision now rests with Chinese regulators. Recent reports suggested that Chinese customs officials had informed agents that the H200 chip was not currently allowed to enter the country, though it remains unclear whether this is a temporary hold or a formal ban.

Inventec, which manufactures notebooks and AI servers using Nvidia chips, produces servers for Chinese clients mainly at its Shanghai facility. Tsai said the company is continuing discussions with its Chinese customers but stressed that Inventec will fully comply with all regulations. If approval is granted, production will move ahead, but if not, the company will halt deliveries.

The H200 chip, Nvidia’s second most powerful AI processor, has become a sensitive issue amid ongoing technology tensions between the United States and China. Although Chinese companies are keen to access advanced AI chips, Beijing may still be weighing whether to restrict imports to support local chipmakers or to use the issue as part of broader negotiations with Washington.

Source: The Economic Times