France has launched legal proceedings to suspend Shein’s website after prosecutors discovered childlike sex dolls listed on the platform. The economy ministry confirmed the suspension would remain until Shein proves full compliance with French laws and regulations.
This decision came soon after Shein opened its first physical store worldwide on the sixth floor of Paris’s BHV department store. While many queued to enter, protesters outside shouted “Shame!” in condemnation.
Shein has pledged full cooperation with authorities investigating it and three other platforms—Temu, AliExpress, and Wish—over these allegations, which were revealed by France’s anti-fraud office.
The company temporarily suspended third-party vendor listings and imposed stricter guidelines. Quentin Ruffat, Shein’s French public affairs head, said, “This suspension enables us to strengthen accountability and ensure every product meets our standards and legal obligations.”
The BHV partnership has angered other fashion brands, leading some to pull out in protest. Protests continued inside the store, including an incident involving a foul-smelling spray. Designer Agnès B told French radio, “I’m completely against this fast-fashion… there are jobs under threat, it’s very bad.”
Shein’s head of public affairs also vowed to share details about the sellers and products involved. AliExpress expressed serious concern, Temu denied involvement but is cooperating with authorities, and Wish has yet to comment.
Frédéric Merlin, CEO of SGM, which runs BHV, considered ending the relationship with Shein but was persuaded to continue, stating, “The clothes we’re going to sell do not exploit workers or children.”
Shein plans to open stores in seven other cities within Galeries Lafayette outlets. However, Galeries Lafayette distanced itself, refusing association and planning to remove branding from stores in several cities.
Paris prosecutors are investigating Shein and others for distributing violent or “undignified messages” accessible to minors, with Shein and AliExpress also probed for child-related pornographic content. The case was passed to the Office des Mineurs, responsible for child protection.
AliExpress confirmed it removed offending listings immediately and said violators would face penalties. Shein recently banned all sex doll sales globally and vowed to block accounts linked to illegal sales, tightening platform controls.
The French consumer watchdog said the dolls’ descriptions and categories left “little doubt as to the child pornography nature” of the products.