This [1] sounds like an embargo workaround which can get people to prison [IANAL] (for example those Russian immigrants [2] got arrested for doing similar thing with Xilinx chips few years ago)
[1] "... Huawei has not been able to directly buy chips from American companies without special approval since last May.
However, it has been able to continue building its inventory of American chips through other available channels -- such as local chip distributors and traders, or even asking its own suppliers to buy the chips for it, sources familiar with the matter said. Huawei has been willing to pay far higher prices than normal for the chips, despite the fact the company can only secure "off-the-shelf" versions without customization or technical support, they said."
[1] "... Huawei has not been able to directly buy chips from American companies without special approval since last May. However, it has been able to continue building its inventory of American chips through other available channels -- such as local chip distributors and traders, or even asking its own suppliers to buy the chips for it, sources familiar with the matter said. Huawei has been willing to pay far higher prices than normal for the chips, despite the fact the company can only secure "off-the-shelf" versions without customization or technical support, they said."
[2] https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/san-francisco-man-and-c...