Two days before opening its first store at BHV Marais in Paris, Shein is hit by a scandal over selling pedopornographic sex dolls. French justice has opened investigations into the Chinese platform and others like AliExpress, Temu, and Wish. The government threatens to ban access to Shein if violations recur.
The Chinese fast fashion giant Shein finds itself at the center of a major controversy ahead of the opening of its first physical store at BHV Marais, scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m. The General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) discovered, on October 30, advertisements for sex dolls with childlike features on the platform, described as masturbation toys with a 'real vagina' and 'anus.' These products, sold for 80.99 to 186.94 euros, were accessible without effective filtering for minors, with just a simple age question.
The Paris prosecutor's office opened four investigations on Monday, assigned to the Office for Minors (Ofmin), concerning the dissemination of pornographic messages accessible to minors for Shein, AliExpress, Temu, and Wish, and the pornographic representation of a minor for Shein and AliExpress. The DGCCRF also reported similar products on AliExpress, and unfiltered pornographic content on Temu and Wish. Penalties include up to 7 years in prison and 100,000 euros fine for serious offenses.
Shein responded by immediately removing these products and implementing a 'total ban on sex doll-type products,' while temporarily dereferencing its 'adult products' category. Commerce Minister Roland Lescure warned: 'If these behaviors are repeated, we will be entitled, and I will request, to ban access to the Shein platform in France.' High Commissioner for Childhood Sarah El Haïry labels buyers 'sexual predators' and calls for social inquiries in their homes to protect children, noting that 70% of sexual violence is intrafamilial.
Despite the storm, BHV boss Frédéric Merlin stands firm via Instagram: 'I have decided not to go back on my decision, despite the controversy and pressure. Because we do things by the book, with ethics and transparency.' He condemns the facts and awaits Shein's responses, stating the operation will be renewed if successful. Brands are protesting and leaving BHV, but they represent only 0.2% of its revenue. Shein is summoned before deputies in fifteen days to explain its controls.