https://hk.finance.yahoo.com/news/螞蟻搬家-中國留學生偷運nvidia晶片回國-每塊賺100美元-律師-沒有違反新加坡法律-032537238.html
Chinese Students Smuggling Nvidia Chips Back Home, Earning $100 per Chip. Lawyer: No Violation of Singaporean Law
BossMind
July 5, 2024
The U.S. has been tightening export restrictions on high-end chips to China, but it was recently revealed that the Chinese Academy of Sciences and several universities have already obtained advanced AI chips from Nvidia. According to
The Wall Street Journal, a Beijing-based distributor receives dozens of chips every month, with a very stable supply. The report found that the supply is smuggled into China by international students from Singapore in a method reminiscent of "ants moving house" (a term used to describe small-scale, repeated smuggling). Although the quantities involved are small, they can meet the limited needs of AI startups or research institutions. A lawyer stated that the students transporting Nvidia chips are not violating Singaporean law, as technical components are not subject to local export restrictions.
The report interviewed a 26-year-old Chinese student in Singapore who, in November last year, transported six Nvidia A100 graphics processing units in his suitcase to China, earning 100(approximatelyHK100(approximatelyHK780) per chip. He revealed that the smuggling job was introduced by an acquaintance at his university, and the process went very smoothly. He openly stated, "I'm happy to contribute to my country," and would do it again if given the opportunity.
The supply of smuggled chips is reportedly very stable, with over 70 distributors publicly claiming online that they can supply Nvidia chips.
The Wall Street Journal contacted at least 25 of these distributors, finding that each distributor can provide dozens of chips per month on average. Most sellers promise delivery within weeks after receiving an order, and some even sell entire servers, each containing eight high-end Nvidia chips, priced at around 300,000(approximatelyHK300,000(approximatelyHK2.34 million). However, the quantities supplied by these distributors are limited and insufficient to meet the demands of tech giants, but they are just enough to fulfill the small-scale needs of AI startups or research institutions.
Additionally, advertisements for entire Nvidia servers have appeared on the Chinese video platform Douyin, priced at approximately 2.7 to 3 million RMB. Some ads claim to have 30 or even 64 units in stock, available for pickup in Shenzhen. Distributors in Shanghai also offer ready stock, describing the servers as "top-tier" configurations.
In response, the U.S. Department of Commerce declined to comment. Nvidia stated that, in accordance with U.S. export controls, the company does not sell regulated advanced chips to China and primarily works with well-known partners who comply with regulations.
An international trade lawyer explained that many foreign governments and jurisdictions do not have legal requirements to enforce U.S. control regulations, and selling Nvidia's advanced chips to China in these regions is generally not considered a criminal offense. Moreover, the Chinese students responsible for transporting Nvidia chips are not violating any Singaporean laws, as technology product components are not subject to export restrictions in the country.
Law minister and Trade minister sleep for whole year, now trump took over still sleeping. Will SG get punished? Trump just throw a 10% levy on China starting today
