French authorities are intensifying scrutiny of Shein, the Chinese fast-fashion retailer, after discovering childlike sex dolls for sale on its platform, just days before the company's first permanent store opens in Paris.
The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control identified the dolls, describing their listings as having a paedophilic nature.
This revelation has fueled calls for a ban, exacerbating existing criticisms over labor practices, environmental impact, and deceptive marketing.
France's consumer watchdog issued a formal notice to Shein on November 1, demanding the immediate removal of the sex doll listings or risk a full market prohibition.
Economy Minister Roland Lescure warned that the government could block access in cases involving child pornography materials.
Shein responded by banning all sex-doll products and suspending its adult products category, attributing the listings to third-party sellers.
Executive Chairman Donald Tang stated, “The fight against child exploitation is non-negotiable for Shein.”
An internal investigation into product screening is underway, though child-protection group Mouv’Enfants deemed the measures insufficient, staging a protest outside the BHV department store.
The Paris prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into Shein and rivals like Temu, AliExpress, and Wish for disseminating prohibited content.
This scandal compounds prior penalties, including a 40 million euro fine for misleading pricing and environmental claims.
Shein, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Singapore, reported 38 billion Singapore dollars in 2024 sales, driven by its rapid production model involving 6,000 Chinese factories.
Investigations have exposed grueling workweeks exceeding 75 hours, child labor in suppliers, incomplete supply-chain transparency, and massive environmental toll from synthetic fibers and waste.
A petition against the BHV store opening has surpassed 100,000 signatures, while over 20 French brands, including Odaje, have withdrawn products in protest.
Disneyland Paris canceled holiday collaborations, and a public bank halted a BHV real estate deal citing value misalignment.
Société des Grands Magasins, BHV's owner, defends the partnership to attract younger shoppers, unveiling a provocative billboard embracing the controversy.
Politicians decry Shein's customs exemptions enabling low prices that bankrupt local chains like Jennyfer.
A pending anti-fast-fashion law targets high-volume platforms like Shein with advertising bans and per-item penalties, set for early 2026 implementation.
Shein lobbies against it, arguing the model benefits consumers and efficiency, while creating 200 jobs through its stores.