Taiwan Considers Criminal Ban on AI Chip Sales to All of China
The proposed ban would criminalize AI chip smuggling in Taiwan for the first time, closing a loophole that let AI servers assembled by Taiwanese manufacturers reach Chinese customers not on the export blacklist.
Reporting from 1 source: GIGAZINE.
Taiwan authorities are considering a new regulation that would make unauthorized AI chip and server exports to all customers in China a criminal offense, expanding beyond current blacklisted firms like Huawei and SMIC. The proposal, part of trade talks with the US, would close loopholes that allowed AI servers assembled in Taiwan to be diverted to China.
Taiwan authorities are weighing a regulation that would make unauthorized AI chip and server sales to any customer in China a criminal offense, according to Bloomberg and Tom's Hardware. The proposal goes beyond current restrictions, which only target blacklisted firms like Huawei and SMIC, and would cover all Chinese buyers. The move is part of ongoing trade negotiations with the US and aims to align Taiwan's export controls with American standards.
Currently, Taiwan does not classify unauthorized AI chip exports to China as a crime. Prosecutors have had to rely on charges like document forgery, as in a May 2026 case where three people were detained for allegedly smuggling about 50 NVIDIA-equipped servers. The new rules would directly criminalize the smuggling of AI chips and servers. The final details are expected after confirmation by senior officials from Taiwan and the US.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.