Chip shipment tracking: summary
Chip shipment tracking: U.S. authorities have embedded location trackers in selected shipments of servers and advanced chips to detect illegal diversions to destinations under export restrictions, notably China. The practice targets shipments deemed high-risk and is used in specific investigations.
Key details
- Trackers have been hidden in packaging and sometimes inside servers
- Sources point to server vendors such as Dell and Super Micro and chips from Nvidia and AMD
- Possible involvement of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI
Purpose and limitations
The aim is to detect diversions and gather evidence for enforcement of export controls. Reuters’ reporting is based on sources; frequency and start date of the tactic are not publicly confirmed.
FAQ
- What was done? Trackers were placed in selected shipments to monitor diversions toward China.
- Which shipments? Primarily servers containing advanced chips from known suppliers, per industry sources.
- Why? To enforce export controls and produce evidence against violators.
- Which agencies? Commerce BIS, HSI and the FBI may be involved.
Source: Reuters