PARIS / BRUSSELS, November 6, 2025 – The French government has formally urged the European Union to take decisive action against Chinese e-commerce giant Shein, following an uproar over the sale of childlike sex dolls and other non-compliant products on its French website.

French officials, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and junior digital minister Anne Le Henanff, called for sanctions against Shein, emphasizing that platforms benefiting from the European market must adhere to EU consumer protection and safety regulations.

“The European Commission must take action,” Barrot told France Info. “It must now accompany investigations with sanctions.”

Le Henanff added that France had formally requested the EU’s executive arm to use all its powers to scrutinize Shein’s operations, declaring that “the era of impunity is over.”

EU Digital Services Act Oversight

The European Commission, which has been investigating Shein since February 2025 for multiple potential breaches of EU law, emphasized the seriousness of the issue but noted that blocking access to Shein’s platform is currently not planned. Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), such a measure would be a “last resort” and typically applied by the member state hosting the platform—in this case, Ireland, where Shein’s EU headquarters is registered.

French Crackdown and Customs Inspections

France has suspended Shein’s online sales pending verification of compliance with French law and ordered customs officials to inspect approximately 200,000 packages arriving at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. The inspections already uncovered illegal or unsafe products, including unauthorized cosmetics, dangerous toys, counterfeit goods, and defective household appliances, according to Budget Minister Amelie de Montchalin.

Shein’s Response

In response to the controversy, Shein announced the removal of all sex dolls from its French website. CEO Donald Tang sent a letter to France’s commerce minister pledging the company’s commitment to comply with French laws and requesting a meeting to outline immediate corrective measures.

Brick-and-Mortar Store Opening Amid Protests

Despite the controversy, Shein opened its first permanent store in Paris at the BHV department store on Wednesday. Hundreds of shoppers attended the opening, undeterred by protests from activists highlighting concerns over forced labor, environmental pollution, and the sale of inappropriate products. Store operator Frederic Merlin said the company hopes Shein will increase foot traffic, with nearly 8,000 visitors reported on the opening day.

Shein plans to open five additional stores in France, even as regulators continue to scrutinize both online and in-store operations.

EU Regulatory Context

The European Union added Shein to its list of Very Large Online Platforms in April 2024, subjecting it to enhanced obligations under the DSA. Investigations focus not only on illegal product sales but also consumer protection violations, including misleading promotions and deceptive product descriptions. Failure to comply could result in substantial fines or additional regulatory measures.