Nvidia has begun requiring full upfront payment from customers in China for its H200 AI chips, according to sources cited by Reuters, as regulatory approvals in both the United States and Beijing remain unresolved. The new terms reportedly leave no room for refunds or order changes, marking a significant tightening from previous policies that allowed partial deposits. Some buyers may be permitted to secure orders using commercial insurance or asset collateral.
The move comes as Chinese authorities are expected to permit sales of the H200, while seeking to restrict use by the military, state-owned enterprises, and sensitive infrastructure. Despite political uncertainty, demand remains strong, with Chinese firms reportedly placing orders for more than two million H200 GPUs for 2026, prompting Nvidia to increase production. The chipmaker is navigating heightened geopolitical risk following earlier U.S. export restrictions that resulted in a $5.5 billion inventory write-down related to its H20 chips.
