Nvidia Targets Mid-February Start for H200 AI Chip Shipments to China, Sources Say
Nvidia is planning to begin shipping its H200 artificial intelligence chips to China by mid-February, ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, according to people familiar with the matter.
Sources say the U.S. chipmaker has informed Chinese customers that initial deliveries will come from existing inventory, with expected shipments totaling 5,000 to 10,000 chip modules. That volume is equivalent to roughly 40,000 to 80,000 H200 AI chips, reflecting limited early availability.
Nvidia has also indicated that it intends to expand production capacity for the H200. Orders for additional capacity are expected to open in the second quarter of 2026, signaling longer-term plans to serve demand in the Chinese market.
However, the timeline remains uncertain. Chinese government approval has not yet been granted for H200 purchases, and sources cautioned that shipment plans could change depending on regulatory decisions in Beijing. One source emphasized that the entire process is contingent on official approval, with no guarantees until regulators give the final go-ahead.
The discussions are private, and the sources declined to be identified.
In a statement, Nvidia said it is actively managing its supply chain and emphasized that licensed sales of the H200 to authorized customers in China will not affect its ability to meet demand in the United States.
The H200 is one of Nvidia’s most advanced AI accelerators, designed for high-performance computing and large-scale AI workloads. Any move to resume or expand shipments to China is likely to be closely watched amid ongoing geopolitical and regulatory scrutiny of advanced semiconductor exports.
Source SCMP News
0 Comments