Paris: The French government has intensified pressure on the Chinese e-commerce giant Shein, calling for an immediate European Union investigation over the sale of illicit products on its marketplace. French officials highlighted the availability of child-like sex dolls and banned weapons, which they argued violated EU regulations.
On Wednesday, France moved to ban Shein’s marketplace operations in the country. The company responded by suspending parts of its marketplace while reviewing how third-party sellers operate. The retailer had already globally halted the sale of sex dolls amid growing scrutiny. Despite the ban, Shein’s French website continues to display its own-brand clothing but excludes the wider range of toys, homewares, and gadgets that were previously offered.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized the urgency of action, stating, “The platform is evidently in breach of European rules. The European Commission must take action. It cannot wait any longer.” Authorities at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport reported that around 200,000 parcels linked to Shein were blocked for inspection, in cooperation with customs and the consumer watchdog.
France’s finance and digital ministers formally wrote to EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen, requesting swift investigation and warning that similar risks may exist in other EU member states. The European Commission confirmed it is in contact with Shein but clarified there is currently no intention to suspend platforms EU-wide.
The crackdown has also drawn attention from Germany, where the retail industry body HDE and the products testing group Stiftung Warentest criticized Shein for failing to meet EU safety standards on toys and jewelry. Analysts say the case highlights broader challenges for online marketplaces in Europe, particularly concerning third-party seller compliance, consumer safety, and regulatory oversight.
If Shein is found in violation of EU law, it could face significant fines, potentially up to 6% of global turnover, forcing the company to strengthen seller vetting and compliance measures across Europe. The unfolding case underscores growing scrutiny of Chinese e-commerce platforms and their regulatory obligations within the EU.