Image credit: Wall Street Journal, France 24
Asian e-commerce giant Shein has announced a global ban on sex dolls following condemnation from French authorities for selling dolls resembling children. The decision comes just days before Shein’s first physical store opens in Paris, reports France 24.
France’s finance minister Roland Lescure had warned that the platform could face a ban in France if such products reappeared online, calling the items “horrible” and illegal. The country’s anti-fraud unit reported that Shein’s platform had featured “childlike” pornographic dolls, one of which was about 80cm tall, holding a teddy bear, and accompanied by an explicit caption.
Ban of sex dolls applies globally
After the report, Shein promptly removed the listings, launched an internal investigation, and later confirmed a “total ban on sex-doll-type products”. A spokesperson told AFP that the ban applies worldwide.
“These listings came from third-party vendors, but I take personal responsibility,” said Donald Tang, Shein’s CEO.
France is investigating other e-commerce giants for similar listings
France’s high commissioner for childhood, Sarah El Hairy, said that other e-commerce sites, including AliExpress, were also under investigation for similar listings. AliExpress confirmed it had removed the items and is now facing legal action from France’s anti-fraud office. The economy ministry also said Temu and Wish were being targeted for hosting pornographic content without age restrictions.
The controversy comes as the fashion e-commerce giant prepares to open its first global physical store inside BHV Marais in central Paris – a move that has drawn widespread criticism. Frédéric Merlin, director of BHV’s parent company, condemned the sale of such dolls as “unacceptable” but defended the collaboration, clarifying that only Shein-designed clothing and accessories will be sold in-store.
Shein, headquartered in Singapore and originally founded in China, continues to face scrutiny over labour practices and the environmental impact of its fast-fashion business model.
Not Shein’s first strike with French authorities
In 2025 alone, France has fined Shein three times, totalling €191 million (RM923 million), for violations including false advertising, misleading product information, failure to disclose plastic microfibres, and non-compliance with cookie regulations.
Meanwhile, the European Commission is investigating the company over illegal product risks, and EU lawmakers have recently passed legislation targeting the environmental harm caused by ultra-fast fashion.
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