China Eases Restrictions on Nvidia's Advanced AI Chips

Chinese regulators have relaxed restrictions on Nvidia's H200 AI chips, allowing small batches of the processors to enter mainland China. This move follows reports in January 2026 that Chinese customs authorities were not permitting Nvidia's chips from entering the country.

In recent weeks, tech giants ByteDance and Tencent have each received around 10,000 H200 processors. Other Chinese technology groups may soon receive similar-sized shipments. Regulators have also informed companies that they can ship such processors to Hong Kong for use there. Nvidia partners like Lenovo have told customers that they can resume placing orders for products containing H200 chips, although these purchases would require separate approval from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The H200 AI chip is the most advanced Nvidia chip permitted for export to China, with its purchase approved on a case-by-case basis by the US Department of Commerce. Meanwhile, Nvidia's more advanced Blackwell GPUs remain banned from export to China.