Getting an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is becoming increasingly difficult. The first US dealer is now requiring the presentation of ID, the signature of an anti-export declaration and information about the place of use of the hardware when purchasing.
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Strict rules for hardware purchases
High-end graphics cards are a scarce and correspondingly expensive commodity. Due to the uncertainty about whether manufacturer Nvidia will release the RTX 60 series next year, the current models in the 50 series are even more in demand. At the same time, the GPUs are smuggled into China to be used in the development of AI. The first US retailer is now placing very special requirements on customers who want to buy one of the cards. The Micro Center retail chain has apparently started to look at buyers’ IDs when selling a GeForce RTX 5090 and to require a signed declaration with which customers assure that they will not export the graphics card abroad.
A man in California had purchased a complete PC with an RTX 5090 and reported that he had to fill out a corresponding form. Buyers must provide their name, address and even the intended location and purpose of the hardware.
No Export – No Exception
Reports VideoCardz The retailer is apparently following US government guidelines, which have recommended additional tests when selling high-end chips since May 2025. As early as October 2023, Nvidia announced that stricter US export restrictions would also affect the GeForce RTX 4090. They are intended to prevent computing power for AI from reaching China.
Recently, US authorities have stepped up their crackdown on smuggling. For example, three employees of the hardware manufacturer Supermicro were arrested, including co-founder Yih-Shyan L., because they are said to have illegally shipped equipment worth $2.5 billion (around €2.2 billion) to China.
Enforcement unclear
In the current case of the Micro Center forms, however, there are strong doubts about their usefulness. As a screenshot of one of the papers shows, the serial number of the graphics cards is not recorded. In addition, large-scale smuggling operations have long used other methods. Ultimately, the entire campaign will only result in annoyed customers who will now have to provide all of their personal data even to buy a graphics card. Would you fill out and sign a form to purchase a graphics card? How useful do you think the measure is? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments! See also:
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