French Government Halts Administrative Suspension of Shein but Maintains Judicial Pressure

The French government has decided to halt an administrative suspension procedure against the Chinese e-commerce platform Shein after the company removed all illegal products from its website within a 48-hour ultimatum. This compliance included removing items such as child pornography dolls and Category A weapons, as reported by French authorities.

Shein has temporarily suspended its marketplace operations in France and is currently only selling its own branded products. Serge Papin, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, acknowledged significant improvements in the platform's compliance, stating, "the Shein of today is not at all the same as that of Wednesday."

Despite halting the administrative action, Minister of the Interior Laurent Nuñez continues to pursue judicial procedures against Shein. The government has approached the Paris judicial court seeking to block Shein's site due to repeated failures and serious public order violations. Investigations remain active, including inquiries focusing on the sale of pedopornographic dolls, with four investigations assigned to the minors' office by the Paris prosecutor's office.

Additionally, the French government is extending its scrutiny to other platforms selling illicit items and has requested an investigation from the European Commission, which recognizes the severity of the situation. A government update on the matter is expected next week at the request of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The government has emphasized its commitment to proactive monitoring, aiming to protect consumers and uphold public order effectively.