Micro Center Forces Buyers to Sign Anti‑Export Pledge for RTX 5090 [2026 Update]

As originally reported by PC Gamer, Micro Center has introduced a new anti‑export form that buyers must sign when purchasing a pre‑built gaming PC equipped with Nvidia’s RTX 5090. The policy, first observed at the Tustin, California store, requires customers to pledge they will not ship the GPU outside the United States, a measure designed to reinforce recent U.S. export restrictions aimed at limiting advanced AI hardware sales to China. The declaration is presented as a simple paperwork step, but it effectively adds a legal layer to the purchase process. This development follows a broader trend of retailers tightening compliance after supply‑chain pressures and price‑gouging concerns made standalone RTX 5090 cards scarce on major e‑commerce sites. For gamers seeking the latest graphics power, buying a full system may become the only viable path, echoing the challenges highlighted in .