September 1, 2023 /SemiMedia/ -- According to reports, ASML was granted a license to export restricted chip-making equipment to China by the end of the year, despite the export restrictions starting this month.

According to Bloomberg, the U.S. government has urged the Dutch government to prevent ASML from exporting immersion DUV lithography machines to China without a license. The new restrictions officially took effect today.

"The four-month period from September is to allow ASML to fulfill its contractual obligations with Chinese customers. However, no new export licenses are expected to be obtained, and exports of three advanced immersion deep-UV lithography models to China began in January machine." said an ASML spokesperson.

People familiar with the matter said China is ASML's third-largest market. Chinese chipmakers have been scrambling to procure vital equipment before the new rules take effect. So far this year, China's imports of semiconductor equipment from the Netherlands have exceeded the total amount for the whole of 2022.