Nvidia H200 Shipments to China Delayed Over Approval, Terms Disagreements

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated on April 22 that Nvidia has not sold its H200 AI chips to Chinese customers, citing lack of Beijing approval and China’s prioritization of investment in domestic suppliers, according to Reuters.

The Trump administration cleared some China-bound H200 sales in January, subject to conditions. However, shipments have been delayed by disagreements over sales terms in both the United States and China.

Regulatory Framework and Trade Terms

Under the Trump administration’s policy, Nvidia’s H200 AI chips destined for China must first pass through the U.S. for testing, where a 25% tariff applies. The policy has drawn legal objections regarding whether the president has authority to charge for export licenses.

Potential Policy Expansion

Lutnick also said the US could still revive the affiliates rule, which would limit shipments of advanced US technology to thousands of Chinese companies. He added that the measure is tied to a broader trade agreement with China.

China’s Domestic Prioritization

In China, authorities stopped H200 shipments at customs and instructed Chinese tech companies to pause purchases. The pause appears tied to policy discussions rather than shipping logistics, as the government develops rules to cap how many advanced foreign AI chips Chinese companies can purchase.