AI Server Export Smuggling Ring with NVIDIA Chips Uncovered in Taiwan
Taiwan prosecutors uncovered a smuggling ring that illegally exported Supermicro AI servers equipped with NVIDIA chips to China, Hong Kong, and Macau using fraudulent customs documents. The scheme involved internal employees at major technology companies who allegedly acted as insiders to facilitate the unauthorized transfer of U.S.-controlled strategic technology products for profit.
What happened
Men surnamed You, Wang, and Chen purchased Supermicro high-performance AI servers equipped with NVIDIA advanced chips in Taiwan and attempted to export them using fraudulent documents, destined for China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The Keelung District Prosecutors Office arrested and detained the three men in May 2026 after they were found to have used false export declarations to hide the shipment.
In a second wave of investigation on May 29, 2026, prosecutors issued search warrants at 12 locations including offices and residences of executives and employees at Supermicro's Taiwan branch, Qingyun International (listed company), and Shifast Telecom (listed company). Six people were questioned as suspected internal accomplices who allegedly prepared false documents and collaborated with smugglers.
Reported impact
The U.S. government strictly prohibits the export of Supermicro AI servers with NVIDIA chips to China, Hong Kong, and Macau due to their advanced computational capabilities and classification as strategic high-technology products. The smuggling scheme involved disguise techniques such as relabeling and package switching.
Index analysis
Prosecutors identified that internal employees at major technology companies—including managers and business staff at Supermicro Taiwan, Qingyun International, and Shifast Telecom—allegedly acted as insiders to facilitate the illegal acquisition and export of controlled equipment for personal profit or sales targets.
Governance controls
The Keelung District Prosecutors Office directed the Investigation Bureau's Taipei office, the Coast Guard's Keelung enforcement team, and the Keelung City Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division to conduct coordinated searches and investigations into the smuggling network and suspected internal accomplices.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.