October 2022 semiconductor restrictions
governmentCredibility Rating
High quality. Established institution or organization with editorial oversight and accountability.
Rating inherited from publication venue: Bureau of Industry and Security
This BIS rule is a landmark primary source for compute governance discussions, establishing the U.S. regulatory framework that links AI chip performance thresholds to national security export controls, widely cited in AI policy and safety governance literature.
Metadata
Summary
This U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) press release announces sweeping export control rules targeting advanced computing chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, aimed at preventing China from acquiring or producing advanced semiconductors used in AI and military applications. The rules restrict exports of high-performance chips (including A100/H100-class GPUs), chip manufacturing tools, and impose restrictions on U.S. persons supporting Chinese chipmaking. This represents a major inflection point in compute governance and AI geopolitics.
Key Points
- •Restricts export of advanced AI chips (e.g., NVIDIA A100/H100) and related technology to China without a license
- •Bans U.S. persons from supporting development or production of advanced chips at certain Chinese facilities
- •Controls semiconductor manufacturing equipment capable of producing advanced chips below certain node thresholds
- •Introduces performance density thresholds as criteria for export control, directly linking compute power to regulatory oversight
- •Represents the most significant U.S. unilateral action on compute governance with broad implications for AI development globally
Cited by 1 page
| Page | Type | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| AI Governance and Policy | Crux | 66.0 |
Cached Content Preview
Homepage | Bureau of Industry and Security An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Skip to main content Advancing national security through technology leadership and vigilant export controls
Learn About BIS Quick links
Export Administration Regulations
Classify your item
Country guidance
Submit a confidential lead or tip
Consolidated Screening List
Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services (OICTS)
Special Issues
BIS Extends Timeline for Authorized IC Designers
On January 16, 2025, BIS published a rule titled "Implementation of Additional Due Diligence Measures for Advanced Computing Integrated Circuits; Amendments and Clarifications; and Extension of Comment Period", which included a timeline during which certain companies are considered authorized integrated circuit (IC) designers who can overcome a presumption of certain license requirements. On April 7, 2026, BIS extended this timeline until December 31, 2026. This extension will allow more time for companies to submit Approved IC Designer applications and allow BIS additional time to process these applications. The text of the rule can be viewed here .
Cuba Export Controls SCP Updates
BIS has issued two updates affecting License Exception Support for the Cuban People (SCP) under § 740.21. Effective March 4, 2026, BIS suspended SCP availability under § 740.21(b)(1) for any transaction involving the deposit of foreign funds into a Cuban‑owned bank, citing unacceptable risk of benefiting the Cuban government or its military and intelligence services. This suspension does not apply to transactions routed through third‑country financial institutions or to shipments already en route by March 4, 2026 if completed by April 3, 2026. BIS also updated guidance on SCP availability for transactions involving U.S.-origin gas and petroleum products to eligible Cuban private sector entities or individual consumers; qualifying transactions may proceed without a license.
SCP Gas/Petroleum/Banks FAQ
Cuba Export Control Guidance
Section 232 Investigations
The Secretary of Commerce initiated investigations under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to determine the effects on the national security of imports of the following:
Copper
Timber and Lumber
Semiconductors
Pharmaceuticals
Trucks
Critical Minerals
Commercial Aircraft
Polysilicon
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Wind Turbines
Medical Products
Robotics and Industrial Machinery
The posted Section 232 Inclusion Requests and their requested HTSUS Classifications can be found on Docket BIS-2025-0023 on Regulations.gov.
Section
... (truncated, 4 KB total)9048db53387ec0c5 | Stable ID: sid_JaBD9iTfnC