The United States has revoked the license that exempted Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) from restrictions on exporting critical equipment to its main chip manufacturing hub in China, potentially limiting its production capabilities at the aging facility.

Bloomberg News reported that US officials informed TSMC of their decision to terminate the so-called approved end-user classification for the Taiwanese chipmaker’s site in Nanjing, China. This move reflects broader US steps to revoke end-user classifications for Chinese facilities owned by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The exemptions are set to expire in about four months.

The US decision means suppliers to TSMC, Samsung Electronics, and SK Hynix will now have to apply for individual approvals when shipping semiconductor manufacturing equipment and other controlled items to the targeted Chinese facilities, instead of benefiting from the blanket license previously granted due to the end-user status of these factories.