A temporary reduction in United States tariffs on Chinese imports has provided a critical opportunity for Chinese e-commerce giants, Shein and Temu, to stabilize their U.S. operations, according to supply chain experts.

The agreement, announced Monday, lowers tariffs on most Chinese goods to 30% for the next 90 days and includes a relaxation of the “de minimis” rule, reducing tariffs on low-value packages from 120% to 54%, effective May 14.

The tariff relief follows a period of disruption for both companies. High tariffs—previously reaching 125%—forced Shein to raise prices for U.S. consumers, while Temu suspended direct shipments from China, causing delays in order fulfillment.

The new measures allow both retailers to ramp up shipments, restock U.S. warehouses, and address backlogged orders.

“In the short term, [Temu and Shein] are definitely going to increase their shipment volume to the U.S.,” said Anand Kumar, associate director of research at Coresight Research, adding that it will also help the companies reassess their long-term strategy.

According to Jason Wong, who manages product logistics for Temu in Hong Kong, the company temporarily halted shipments from China following the end of the “de minimis” exemption, instead fulfilling orders from existing U.S. stockpiles.

With the new tariff policy in place, Wong expects bulk shipments—now subject to a 30% tariff—to resume, allowing Temu to replenish its U.S. inventory.

″[The] 30% is still high, but compared to 125%, 30% is basically nothing,” he added.

Nevertheless, the tariff situation remains more complex for small-value packages that fall under the “de minimis” threshold.

The latest policy update retains a $100 flat fee per postal item, scrapping a previously planned increase to $200 that was set to take effect in June, according to a White House executive order released Monday.

Wong says Temu is unlikely to resume small-value shipments from China to the U.S. unless tariffs are eased further—something he believes will eventually happen.

Shein has not announced an end to direct shipments from China, but states on its platform that “tariffs are included in the price you pay.”

A reduction in tariffs on low-value packages shipped from China to the U.S. could therefore lead to some price relief, according to Coresight’s Kumar.