Cadence Design Systems (CDNS), Synopsys (SNPS) and other electronic design automation software makers received letters from the US Department of Commerce, ordering them to halt shipments to Chinese customers, multiple media outlets reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The affected products include design software and chemicals for semiconductors, butane and ethane, machine tools, and aviation equipment, Reuters reported.

Sources said the companies will now need licenses to ship to Chinese customers, adding that some licenses already granted to certain suppliers were also revoked, the reports said.

The Commerce Department will now review requests for licenses to ship to China on a case-by-case basis, the reports added.

Cadence and Synopsys did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment on the matter.