France Threatens to Ban Shein Over Sale of Child-Like Sex Dolls

The French government has escalated its response to the sale of child-like sex dolls on the online retail platform Shein, with Finance Minister Roland Lescure warning that the country could ban Shein from the French market if such sales resume. Lescure emphasized that the situation had "gone too far" and noted that both ARCOM, the French media regulator, and judicial authorities are investigating the matter. He made clear that a judicial inquiry is underway to determine how these illegal items appeared on Shein’s platform and indicated that repeated offenses could lead to Shein’s market closure in France.

Sarah El Haïry, France's High Commissioner for Children, has launched broader inspections on other e-commerce sites like Ali Express following the discovery of these dolls. She stressed that these dolls are not merely considered pornographic but meet the legal criteria of child pornography under French law, making their sale outright illegal. El Haïry is focused on tracing both the suppliers and buyers of these illicit products, condemning the exploitation of legal loopholes by some platforms. She voiced the crucial need for rigorous controls to prevent the distribution of such criminal objects online.

Shein has responded by removing the controversial products immediately after French regulatory pressure, confirming the removal in communication with Reuters. However, the French government remains vigilant, prepared to take strong legal action should Shein fail to fully comply moving forward.