In the convoluted world of chipmaking tools, export licensing from a particular country becomes a story worthy of writing about. On Friday, ASML said that the Dutch government has, as Reuters put it, retaken export controls over its outdated yet popular immersion DUV fab tools, which are still widely used by many chipmakers, including those from China.
“As a result of the updated license requirements, and in line with U.S. Export Administration Regulation 734.4. (a).(3) ASML will need to apply for export licenses with the Dutch government rather than the U.S. government for shipments of its Twinscan NXT:1970i and 1980i DUV immersion lithography systems,” ASML states. “The Dutch export license requirement is already in place for the Twinscan NXT:2000i and subsequent DUV immersion systems. Sales of ASML’s EUV systems are also subject to license requirements.”
