Taiwan Indicts Nvidia and Super Micro Employees Over Alleged AI Server Exports to China

Taiwanese prosecutors have indicted nine people, including employees of Nvidia and Super Micro, over alleged illegal exports of advanced AI servers to China. The investigation focuses on servers equipped with Nvidia chips subject to U.S. export restrictions. Washington has imposed controls on advanced semiconductor exports to China since 2022, requiring licenses for certain restricted technologies.

According to prosecutors in Taiwan’s northern city of Keelung, eight of the defendants—including one Nvidia Taiwan employee and two Super Micro Taiwan employees—face charges including breach of trust and document forgery. Prosecutors allege that the individuals understood the companies’ export-control procedures but collaborated to profit from sending restricted AI hardware toward China.

The alleged scheme reportedly involved 130 Super Micro B300 servers. Documents were allegedly prepared to make the equipment appear destined for installation and use at a server facility in Taiwan. Prosecutors say 74 of the servers were ultimately exported to China, either directly or through intermediaries in countries including Indonesia, Japan and Hong Kong, while Taiwan customs authorities intercepted the remaining 56.

The case comes as Taiwan tightens controls around advanced semiconductor technology. Taiwan plays a central role in the global AI-chip supply chain, making enforcement particularly important as the United States and China compete over access to advanced computing technology. The investigation also demonstrates the increasing difficulty of enforcing export restrictions as AI hardware moves through international supply chains.

Neither Nvidia nor Super Micro immediately responded to Reuters’ requests for comment on the indictments. Super Micro had previously conducted an internal investigation into the alleged smuggling activity and said it found no evidence that senior management knew about or participated in the scheme. The company also said it had taken disciplinary action and strengthened its export-compliance procedures.

The case could have broader implications for the AI industry because governments are increasingly treating advanced computing hardware as a strategic technology. As demand for powerful AI servers grows, companies face greater pressure to verify customers, destinations and end users. The Taiwan investigation shows that export controls are becoming an increasingly important part of the global AI supply chain.