Nvidia Demands Full Upfront Payment for H200 AI Chips from Chinese Buyers Amid Export Uncertainty

• Nvidia requires full upfront payment for H200 AI chip orders from Chinese customers due to uncertainty over Beijing's approval.
• Strict terms include no cancellations, refunds, or configuration changes after order placement; commercial insurance or asset collateral may be alternatives.
• This policy is a shift from previous terms that sometimes allowed deposits, reflecting a lack of clarity on Chinese regulatory approval.
• Chinese tech companies have ordered over 2 million H200 chips, exceeding Nvidia's 700,000 inventory, despite local alternatives like Huawei's Ascend 910C.
• The H200 is Nvidia's second-most powerful chip, offering six times the performance of the previously banned H20, and is crucial for advanced AI models.

Why It Matters: Nvidia shifts financial risk to Chinese buyers by demanding full upfront payment for H200 chips amidst export uncertainty.