약 60만 개의 Nvidia H200 칩이 중국의 수입 차단으로 홍콩에 발이 묶인 것으로 전해졌다.

Approximately 600,000 Nvidia H200 AI chips are reportedly being held in Hong Kong as Chinese authorities continue to withhold approval for large-scale imports, leaving advanced processors sought by Chinese technology companies unable to enter mainland China.

Reuters, citing two people familiar with the matter, reported that Beijing has not authorized the shipments despite demand from Chinese companies developing artificial intelligence systems. The reported backlog highlights the regulatory obstacles facing Nvidia even as the United States has eased certain export restrictions on the processors.

The estimated inventory of 600,000 chips had not previously been disclosed, according to Reuters. The H200 is among Nvidia's most advanced AI processors and is used in computing infrastructure supporting large language models and other artificial intelligence applications.

Chinese authorities have reportedly suspended customs clearance for Nvidia H200 processors, preventing substantial quantities of the hardware from reaching customers on the mainland. Although the processors are located in Hong Kong, their proximity to mainland China has not resolved the regulatory barrier. The reported restrictions mean that shipments cannot proceed through Chinese customs without approval from Beijing.

Research findings cited in the report indicated that only a very small number of H200 chips had entered China as of July. The situation has created a supply bottleneck for Chinese internet and technology companies seeking access to advanced AI computing hardware. Such processors are important for developing and operating large language models, an area in which Chinese companies continue to invest.

The import restrictions come as Washington has adopted a more flexible approach to certain Nvidia H200 exports to China. Under the current framework described in the report, the US Bureau of Industry and Security reviews export applications for H200 processors individually, subject to specific conditions. Exporters must certify that shipments to China will not reduce the semiconductor capacity available to customers in the United States. That requirement could limit shipments to China to 50% of equivalent US end-use shipments, creating a potential restriction on export volumes even when individual applications receive authorization.

The policy means US regulatory approval does not automatically guarantee that Nvidia processors can reach Chinese customers. Shipments must also satisfy import requirements imposed by Chinese authorities.

Beijing's reluctance to approve H200 imports reflects its broader effort to strengthen domestic semiconductor capabilities and reduce dependence on American technology suppliers, according to the research findings. Allowing additional Nvidia processors into China could provide domestic technology companies with greater access to advanced computing capacity in the near term. However, continued reliance on US-made processors would also leave those companies exposed to future changes in American export regulations. By restricting access to Nvidia hardware, Chinese authorities are encouraging local technology companies to consider domestically developed alternatives as part of the country's longer-term semiconductor strategy. The approach presents a trade-off between immediate access to advanced AI computing equipment and Beijing's objective of building a more independent domestic chip industry.

For Nvidia, the reported accumulation of H200 processors in Hong Kong illustrates how restrictions imposed by both exporting and importing countries can complicate access to a major technology market. Even if Washington permits additional shipments, Nvidia cannot necessarily deliver those processors to mainland Chinese customers without approval from Beijing.

The reported inventory also creates uncertainty over the timing of deliveries and the commercial implications of processors remaining in storage. The available information does not establish when Chinese authorities might authorize additional imports. Meanwhile, the potential US shipment limit tied to domestic semiconductor availability could continue to constrain export volumes if China eventually relaxes its restrictions.

For Chinese technology companies, the unresolved situation leaves access to Nvidia's H200 processors dependent on regulatory decisions on both sides of the US-China technology relationship.