Chinese authorities have cleared the first group of Nvidia’s H200 artificial intelligence chips for import, according to individuals with direct knowledge of the decision per a report by Reuters.
The move allows several major Chinese firms access to the second-most advanced hardware by Nvidia, signaling a new approach as the country addresses AI technology needs while supporting domestic innovation.
The recently approved shipment includes several hundred thousand H200 units. Approval was granted during Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s current visit to China, sources indicated.
This initial authorization covers three leading internet companies, according to one person familiar with the situation. Additional businesses are reportedly waiting for approval in subsequent batches. The identities of the companies that received the first round of clearances were not disclosed.
It was reported two weeks ago that the Trump administration has officially authorized sales of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips to China, approving exports of the company’s second most powerful processors despite notable resistance from anti-China advocates in Washington.
Under the new regulations, shipments to China will undergo evaluation by an independent testing party to verify the chips’ AI performance. Additionally, Chinese buyers are limited to receiving no more than half the volume allocated to U.S. customers.
Furthermore, Nvidia is required to certify that sufficient H200 chip inventory remains available for American use, while prospective Chinese clients must prove they have adequate security protocols in place and guarantee the chips will not be deployed for military applications.
Last month, President Donald Trump stated the decision to permit these chip sales on the condition that a 25% levy is paid to the U.S. government. The move has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum who worry the deal could accelerate China’s artificial intelligence progress and diminish U.S. dominance in the sector.
However, the Trump administration, led by White House AI advisor David Sacks, argues that permitting access to cutting-edge chips may slow Chinese efforts—especially by sanctioned firms like Huawei—to develop alternatives to Nvidia’s and AMD’s high-end artificial intelligence hardware.
According to a Reuters report last month, Chinese technology firms have already placed orders for over two million H200 units, which are priced at about $27,000 each—a figure far surpassing Nvidia’s current stockpile of 700,000 chips.
