While the metal isn't yet restricted, new customs checks and requests for end-user information suggest a potential prelude to tighter controls. This development comes as the U.S. plans to stockpile the critical material, highlighting its strategic importance and potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

China has tightened export scrutiny of indium phosphide, a substitute-free material for AI data-centre optics, sending wafer prices up ~250%.

China tightens indium export checks as AI data center demand surges. With 70% of global supply and InP wafer prices up 250%, the semiconductor supply chain