The French government has initiated a formal procedure to suspend the operations of Chinese e-commerce giant Shein in France, pending the company’s compliance with national laws.
The decision, announced on Wednesday by Economy Minister Roland Lescure, was made under the direction of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, and follows an investigation by France’s consumer watchdog, DGCCRF, which referred the company to the Paris prosecutor’s office earlier this week.
The watchdog had discovered “child-like” sex dolls listed for sale by third-party vendors on Shein’s platform, items described as bearing “child pornography characteristics” in their categorization and description.
Shein Suspension Procedure Underway: Content Removal Order Expected
According to the Ministry of Economy, the suspension procedure will remain in effect until Shein can demonstrate full compliance with French laws governing online content.
A progress report on the suspension process is expected within the next few days, as stated by the government. Under French law, websites found to be hosting illegal content can be ordered by judicial or administrative authorities to remove such material within 24 hours, or face temporary blocking.
At this stage, officials have not clarified whether the suspension will result in Shein’s website being made inaccessible in France or whether the company will be required to halt sales temporarily while corrective measures are reviewed.
Shein’s Response: Suspending All Third-Party Sales in France
In a public statement, Quentin Ruffat, Director of External Relations at Shein France, said the company had taken note of the government’s announcement and emphasized that “the safety of customers and the integrity of the marketplace are top priorities.”
Shein also confirmed that it had temporarily suspended all third-party listings on its French marketplace to strengthen its “accountability mechanisms” and ensure that all products meet legal and ethical standards.
The company stated that it is cooperating fully with French authorities, including the Ministry of Economy and the DGCCRF, as it works to address the violations.
Setback Amid Expansion: Shein Physical Store Boycott in Paris
The government’s move comes just as Shein opened its first physical store in Paris at the BHV department store, part of a wider plan to establish five new outlets across France later this month.
The store launch has sparked public backlash and boycotts from French brands, including Aime and Agnes B, which have announced their withdrawal from BHV in protest.
Mathilde Lacombe, co-founder of Aime, told French media that remaining at the store would be inconsistent with her brand’s values, saying her company “built on strong principles” could not associate with Shein’s practices.
Ongoing Scrutiny: Shein, Temu, and AliExpress Facing French Watchdogs
Shein is among several China-based e-commerce platforms currently under investigation in France, alongside Temu, AliExpress, and Wish, over the sale of prohibited or harmful items and non-compliance with consumer protection laws.
The French government has signaled its intent to take a firmer stance on digital marketplace regulation, particularly concerning illegal content and ethical production standards in fast fashion.
As of Wednesday evening, Shein’s French operations remain online while authorities proceed with the suspension procedure and evaluate the company’s response.
