The French government has announced plans to ban fast-fashion giant Shein from operating in the country after investigators discovered childlike sex dolls and weapons being sold on the company’s online marketplace. The decision marks one of the strongest actions taken by a European government against a major e-commerce platform over illegal or inappropriate content.
Government Action and Legal Steps
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Wednesday that he had filed a legal request to block Shein’s website, citing “serious harm to public order” caused by the company’s failures to regulate its online marketplace.
According to the finance ministry, authorities identified a “large number” of category A weapons, including machetes, axes, and brass knuckles, listed for sale by third-party sellers on Shein’s platform.
The move followed a broader government investigation launched earlier in the week into Shein, Temu, Wish, and AliExpress, after officials discovered sex dolls resembling children available for purchase on each platform. The government said it would suspend Shein’s operations until the company can prove full compliance with French and EU regulations, with a first progress report expected within 48 hours. The European Commission has also been informed of the case.
Ministers Condemn Shein’s Failures
Finance Minister Roland Lescure sharply condemned the company, saying young consumers were being “exposed to horrors” through Shein’s marketplace.
“It’s disgusting — that’s the only word for it,” Lescure said in a televised interview.
Officials accused Shein of violating French and EU consumer protection laws, adding that the discovery reflects deeper issues within the platform’s oversight of third-party sellers.
Shein’s Response
In response, Shein said it had temporarily suspended all marketplace sales in France and was conducting a comprehensive review to ensure full adherence to French law.
“We are committed to working with the French authorities to address any concerns swiftly, as we have always done,” the company said in a statement.
The Singapore-based retailer, founded in China, did not directly comment on the allegations regarding weapons sales.
Backlash at Paris Store Opening
The controversy coincided with the opening of Shein’s first permanent store in Paris, located inside the BHV department store operated by SGM. The launch was overshadowed by protests outside the venue, where demonstrators carried signs reading “Protect children, not Shein” and “Shame on Shein.”
SGM’s chief executive Frédéric Merlin said he had held “firm discussions” with Shein’s management and stressed the department store’s commitment to product quality and transparency.
Broader Criticism and Industry Impact
The latest scandal adds to Shein’s growing list of controversies, including accusations of design theft, environmental damage, and child labour in its supply chain.
Shein’s aggressive expansion strategy and ultra-low prices have drawn criticism from French politicians and fashion industry leaders, who accuse the company of undermining local businesses and jobs.
Retail alliance Alliance du Commerce denounced Shein’s approach as a “rule-circumvention model,” while Paris MP Emmanuel Grégoire called it a “model of exploitation and overproduction” with a “devastating environmental impact.”
International and Regulatory Challenges
Shein’s troubles extend beyond France. The company has faced regulatory hurdles in New York and London over its planned stock market listings and has now filed for an IPO in Hong Kong.
As France moves to block the retailer, the decision could set a precedent for stricter European oversight of online marketplaces, particularly regarding the sale of prohibited or harmful products.
