In brief
A Paris court has rejected the French government's effort to suspend Shein's website following complaints about childlike sex dolls and weapons sold on the platform. While the court acknowledged the severity of these concerns, it deemed a three-month suspension as 'disproportionate.' Shein has taken steps to ensure compliance with local regulations, including banning sex dolls globally. The ruling includes a requirement for age verification for adult products, with fines for breaches. Shein remains committed to improving its product control processes.
A Paris court has rejected an effort by the French government to suspend the website of fast-fashion giant Shein in response to it selling childlike sex dolls on its platform.
The court said the request for a three-month suspension was 'disproportionate' - but did order age verification for the sale of adult products.
The action against Shein was taken after France's consumer watchdog last month reported it to authorities for selling 'sex dolls with a childlike appearance' and weapons.
Shein said its priority remained protecting French consumers and ensuring compliance.
The court acknowledged the seriousness of selling the childlike sex dolls and weapons in its judgement, but said these had been isolated incidents.
It noted that the Chinese company had taken action to remove the offending items once it had been made aware of them, and that the issues related to a small number of the hundreds of thousands of products on sale on its site.
In response to the initial controversy, Shein announced it would be banning the sale of all sex dolls on its site internationally.
A request by the French government for Shein to be forced to suspend the sale of third-party items on its website - the source of the initial offending items - was also rejected.
In ordering age verification measures to be put in place for the sale of adult items, the court said the fine for each breach would be €10,000 (£8,700; $11,700).
The decision to suspend Shein's website in early November coincided with the company opening its first physical store in the French capital.
Its launch drew both shoppers and protesters, with opposition related to the sale of childlike sex dolls, and also its profile as a fast-fashion retailer.
Shein said in a statement: 'We remain committed to continuously improving our control processes, in close collaboration with the French authorities, with the aim of establishing some of the most stringent standards in the industry.
'Our priority remains protecting French consumers and ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.'
