French Court Rejects Request to Suspend Shein Over Illicit Products

The Paris court rejected the French government’s request to suspend the China-based e-commerce platform Shein for three months due to the sale of illegal products. French authorities had claimed that banned weapons, illegal medications, and childlike sex dolls were being sold on Shein’s marketplace.

While acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, the court decided that the state’s request for a suspension was “disproportionate,” noting that the sale of the banned products was “sporadic.” It also highlighted that Shein had promptly removed the products and responded quickly to the situation.

French Authorities’ Concerns and Shein’s Actions

The French government had called for Shein’s suspension following the sale of disturbing products, particularly childlike sex dolls, on its marketplace. However, the court concluded that the sales were limited, and Shein acted quickly to remove the products, thus minimizing the damage.

Rather than a general suspension, the court ordered Shein to implement age verification measures to prevent the sale of “sexual products that could be considered pornographic.” Shein acknowledged the difficulty of implementing effective age filters and, as a result, stated that the adult-only sexual product category would remain closed for the time being.

Ongoing Investigations and European Scrutiny

Despite the court’s decision not to suspend Shein’s operations, a French investigation into the company is ongoing. The Paris prosecutor’s office has launched a criminal investigation into Shein, as well as other e-commerce platforms, including AliExpress, Temu, Wish, and eBay, for the sale of illegal products.

The French government is also calling for stricter sanctions at the European level under the Digital Services Act (DSA). While Shein has been asked to provide information, the European Commission has yet to open an official investigation into Shein, a situation that differs from AliExpress and Temu.

Shein’s Response and Growing Issues

Shein welcomed the Paris court’s decision, stating that it is committed to continuously improving its product control processes in collaboration with French authorities. The company emphasized its priority of protecting French consumers and complying with local laws.

Shein has taken various steps to address the situation, including disabling its marketplace in France since November 5 and only offering Shein-branded clothing. Additionally, Shein announced that it has stopped selling sex dolls across its global marketplaces.

The company is facing broader criticism in France and other countries. Critics argue that Shein’s ultra-low-cost business model encourages waste and contributes to environmental harm. Furthermore, Shein has been fined a total of €191 million by French authorities in 2025. These fines were imposed for misleading advertising, violations of cookie laws, providing misleading information, and failing to disclose microplastics in its clothing.

New Tax on Low-Value Imports in Europe

Another blow to platforms like Shein came when European Union finance ministers decided to impose a €3 tax on low-value imports starting in July 2026. Previously, small parcels valued below €150 were exempt from customs duties. European retailers argue that platforms like Shein create unfair competition by not always complying with the EU’s strict regulations on product safety and consumer protection.

France to Open and Inspect Every Parcel from Shein as Crackdown on Chinese E-Commerce Escalates