Market fears of tighter controls of an essential metal for artificial intelligence data center chips are being fueled by China ramping up oversight of indium exports, Reuters reported June 19.
Beijing already restricted indium phosphide in February 2025, and now buyers report growing customs scrutiny, according to the report.
China's Ministry of Commerce did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A European buyer told Reuters that it was asked for end-user details for the first time, while a North American purchaser said approval times stretched from same-day to several days.
Though no shipments have been blocked, industry insiders view the move as a potential prelude to broader curbs, according to the report.
(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)