France Threatens Shein Ban Over "Child-Like Sex Dolls" Sales

French Economy Minister Roland Lescure has issued a stark warning to online retail giant Shein, threatening to block its access in France if the company repeats the sale of "child-like sex dolls" on its platform. Lescure’s announcement on Monday follows reports of the controversial products being listed on Shein’s website, an issue the Asian e-commerce company claims it has already rectified.

Speaking on BFMTV and RMC, Lescure stated, "If such behavior is repeated, we will be within our rights — and I will request — to ban access to the Shein platform in the French market." He underscored the gravity of the situation, likening such infractions to severe crimes. "For terrorist acts, drug trafficking, and items of a child pornographic nature, the government can request a ban on access to the French market if such behavior occurs again or if the items in question are not removed within 24 hours," he explained, adding that these "horrendous items are illegal, and there will be a judicial investigation."

The controversy first surfaced on Saturday when France’s consumer fraud watchdog, the DGCCRF, announced it had reported the sale of these "child-like sex dolls" to the courts after discovering them on Shein’s website. In response, Shein, which is poised to open its first permanent physical store in Paris this Wednesday, confirmed the immediate removal of the listings. The company stated that "the products in question were immediately removed from the platform as soon as we became aware of these serious breaches," reiterating its "zero-tolerance policy toward any content or product that contravenes our internal policies or applicable laws." Shein’s management attributed the listings to its third-party marketplace and has initiated a "complete review to identify and remove any similar products that other sellers might post."

The incident has reignited concerns over the sale of illegal products on online marketplaces and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms. Sarah El Haïry, High Commissioner for Children, commented on franceinfo, "It’s not just Shein; there are many other platforms, both well-known and lesser-known, and we have been alerted to other cases." Despite the government’s resolve, Lescure conceded that French law can be bypassed through VPNs, acknowledging, "France does not have the means to combat this at this stage."

Founded in China, Shein has rapidly grown into a dominant global force in fast fashion and a major player in online retail since its entry into the French market in 2015. The company frequently faces criticism regarding alleged unfair competition, environmental impact, and poor working conditions. These pre-existing controversies add another layer to the current dispute.

Adding to the current tensions, Shein is proceeding with the opening of its first permanent store this Wednesday inside BHV Marais, the historic Paris department store, occupying a space exceeding 1,000 square meters. Lescure viewed this timing as provocative, remarking, "I walked along Rue de Rivoli this weekend and saw Shein’s banners all along the shopfront — it’s provocation." The planned opening has drawn criticism from industry figures, with Dominique Schelcher, CEO of Coopérative U, taking to X to express his hope that "the discovery of child-like sex dolls on the Shein site by the DGCCRF will lead to the site being formally CLOSED by the authorities as soon as possible," while also urging BHV to reconsider its partnership.