It has been reported that high-performance GPUs from Nvidia are being smuggled in China. They’re being sold at high prices like drugs, and there’s even an excuse that it’s “for the nice of the country.”
The Wall Street Journal reported on the 2nd (local time) that some travelers are hiding GPUs of their luggage as america bans the sale of advanced Chinese Nvidia chips starting in 2022.
Based on this, a university student studying in Singapore hid six Nvidia chips in his bag at someone’s request while returning home for the vacations last 12 months. It’s reported that he passed through the airport with none problems.
He was paid $200 (about 276,000 won) for every chip. He also said, “I’m comfortable that I can do something for my country and make some money. There is not any reason to not do it.”
A review of records, including customs declarations, revealed that the Chinese buyer had purchased the GPUs on the underground market, a scheme that resembled drug trafficking.
Nevertheless, the Chinese authorities are said to have little interest in monitoring this. Additionally it is said that smuggling is now being carried out in an organized manner.
A Beijing distributor said he receives dozens of chips every month, and that “there’s all the time a way” to get them into China. The truth is, greater than 70 distributors are promoting the restricted processors online, with many sellers claiming to sell dozens of units every month.
Similar cases have been introduced before.
Already a 12 months ago, in June of last 12 months, Reuters reported that the ‘A100’ and ‘H100’ chips were being traded on the Chinese black market at twice the value. In April, it was revealed that Chinese universities and research institutes, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, purchased Nvidia chips through resellers.
Amongst them, america is further strengthening its sanctions on Chinese technology. Following China, it banned the sale of GPUs to the Middle East, and recently announced a draft that might strengthen the ban on investment in Chinese corporations.
Reporter Im Dae-jun ydj@aitimes.com
