France threatens Shein ban if ‘childlike’ sex dolls reappear
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Chinese retail giant Shein is due to open in Paris on Nov 5 its first physical store in the world.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PARIS – France’s finance minister threatened on Nov 3 to ban Shein from France if the Asian e-commerce giant resumes selling “childlike” sex dolls, just days before it opens its first physical store in Paris.
The warning came after France’s anti-fraud unit reported on Nov 1 that the company was selling dolls of a likely “child pornography nature”.
On its website, the Le Parisien daily published a photo of one of the dolls sold on the platform, accompanied by an explicitly sexual caption.
It measured around 80cm in height and held a teddy bear.
Shortly after the fraud watchdog’s statement, Shein announced that the dolls had been withdrawn
Finance Minister Roland Lescure warned on Nov 3 he would move to ban the company from the French market if the items return online.
“These horrible items are illegal,” he told the BFMTV broadcaster, promising a judicial investigation.
Shein is due on Nov 5 to open its first physical store
The company, which was originally founded in China, has faced criticism over working conditions at its factories and the environmental impact of its ultra-fast fashion business model.
Some brands have pulled their products from BHV Marais since the announcement.
France has already fined Shein three times in 2025 for a total of €191 million (S$287 million).
Those sanctions were imposed for failing to comply with online cookie legislation, false advertising, misleading information and not declaring the presence of plastic microfibres in its products.
The European Commission is also investigating Shein over risks linked to illegal products, while EU lawmakers have approved legislation aimed at curbing the environmental impact of fast fashion. AFP
