France Urges EU to Investigate Shein Over Childlike Sex Dolls Found on Website

French ministers have called on the European Commission (EC), the EU’s executive branch, to launch an urgent investigation into fast-fashion retailer Shein, after the discovery of sex dolls resembling children on its website prompted the French government to suspend the company’s marketplace.

Finance Minister Roland Lescure and Digital Minister Anne Le Henanff wrote to the EC, warning of what they described as “serious breaches” of European regulations.

“We ask the President of the European Commission to look at what has happened in France—to be careful, to issue a warning,” Le Henanff told French news network BFM TV.

The call came as French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ordered Shein’s online marketplace suspended in France to “review and strengthen” how third-party sellers operate on the site.

France Cites Serious Breaches

Founded in China and now based in Singapore, Shein is best known for its low-cost, fast-fashion business model, but also hosts independent vendors on its marketplace.

The discovery of dolls resembling children among its listings triggered the government action on the same day the company opened its first brick-and-mortar outlet, in Paris’s BHV department store.

“There will be, I think, close scrutiny from the regulatory and control authorities—they are currently examining every aspect of the site. But other procedures will also be initiated. We’re not going to stop here. This isn’t just a symbolic blow or an act of intimidation initiated by the Prime Minister,” Le Henanff told BFM TV.

Under French law, online platforms must remove clearly illegal content such as child pornography within 24 hours of notification. If they fail to comply, authorities can require internet service providers and search engines to block or delist the site.

According to BFM TV, the French ministers stated in their letter that Shein’s “repeated marketing of illegal content” violates the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), which governs online marketplaces and platforms.

The DSA requires major digital platforms to protect minors, combat illegal content, and ensure traceability of sellers.

If confirmed, the breaches could expose Shein to penalties of up to 6 percent of its global turnover and potential suspension of operations under EU law.

In the letter, ministers urged the EC to “fully exercise its prerogatives, including through the issuance of provisional measures against the platform, and to conduct without delay investigations to shed full light on the malfunctions that led to the marketing of illegal items on this platform.”

Le Henanff said France’s digital regulator, ARCOM, had contacted its counterparts across Europe following the discovery.

“But the European Commission carries weight. Raise awareness among the 26 other European countries about what is happening here,” she said.

“This is what’s happening, this is what we’ve experienced—in order to create a stronger movement, one that is European. Truly European.”

Physical Store and Shein Response

The controversy erupted as protesters gathered outside BHV in central Paris to oppose the store’s partnership with Shein, citing both the sex doll listings and broader concerns about the company’s labor and environmental practices.

“I find it very regrettable that Shein is setting up in such an emblematic store of our country,” Le Henanff said, adding that Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Serge Papin is handling the matter.

Papin said on Nov. 5 that an initial report on the Shein suspension process is expected within 48 hours.

Le Henanff added that while France is committed to free commerce, businesses also bear ethical responsibility.

“We have the right to buy and sell, as long as there is free competition. However, I think the director of BHV must also take his responsibilities,” she said.

In a statement sent to The Epoch Times, Shein said the company had taken note of the government’s announcement and was cooperating with the authorities.

“We are committed to working with the French authorities to address any concerns swiftly as we have always done,” the company said.

Shein said that independently of the government’s decision, it had temporarily suspended listings from independent third-party vendors on its French marketplace “while we review and strengthen how third-party vendors operate on our site.”

Quentin Ruffat, Shein’s head of public affairs in France, said the company’s Marketplace Integrity Taskforce was auditing product listings and tightening seller controls.

“Our priority is customer safety and marketplace integrity,” he said.

“This suspension enables us to strengthen accountability and ensure every product meets our standards and legal obligations.”