PARIS.- The French government started the procedure to temporarily suspend in France Chinese e-commerce platform Sheinuntil it proves that Your online content complies with the law. This in full judicial investigation for his selling sex dolls that look like girls.
The above occurs on the same day it opened in Paris its first physical store.
“By instructions of the Prime Minister (Sébastien Lecornu)the Government begins the procedure of Shein suspension temporarily so that the platform can demonstrate to the authorities that all its content complies with current laws and regulations,” reported the Executive, who will analyze the situation “within 48 hours,” according to a brief statement.
At the same time, the Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñezfiled a lawsuit to block Shein websiteas announced by Ministry of Economywhich confirmed that if, within a period of 48 hours, “the banned products are still on sale on the Shein website, a digital demand order may be issued”, which will allow the Government “demand the suspension of the website.”
The Minister of Economy, Roland Lescurewho will meet with internet service providers on Thursday, considered that France has “solid arguments” to take to Brussels and address the “problem” at European level.
The arrival of the Asian giant SHEIN to #Paris causes protests on opening day at legendary store #BHVwith 170 years of history and which today gives you 1 entire floor. pic.twitter.com/3vGlUA6HYt
— Miguel Martínez🔻 (@MiguelMtzCo) November 5, 2025
Inauguration of Shein’s first physical store in Paris, surrounded by controversy
The decision of the French Executive It occurred two hours after Shein would have opened its first physical store in Paristwo steps from the Notre-Dame cathedral.
The Asian giant’s store, located on the sixth floor of the emblematic BHV department store, opened its doors at 1:00 p.m. in a 1,200-square-meter space, attended by hundreds of potential customers as well as dozens of citizens opposed to the business model of Sheinwho are accused of unfair competition or not respecting the environment or labor rights.
🚺 Femen activists in Paris protest SHEIN at BHV store for selling dolls with concerning features. Join the fight for equality and justice! Femen Activism ParisProtest 🇫🇷✊ pic.twitter.com/UqtjKx3V6A
—Dr. CZ (@AngelMD1103) November 6, 2025
Lescure warned last Monday and reiterated yesterday that the Government “will not hesitate” to prohibit the activities of the Chinese platform in France if it was proven that illicit activities had been carried out.
Earlier this week, the Paris Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into Shein for “dissemination of images or representations of minors of a pornographic nature”, which also affects AliExpress, and for the “dissemination of violent, pornographic or degrading messages accessible to minors”, which in addition to these two platforms also include the Chinese Temu and the American Wish.
The French press reported today the arrest and custody of a man in Bouc-Bel-Air, near Marseille, after intercepting a package with a child-like sex doll sent in his name and purchased on the Shein platform.
Executives of the Chinese e-commerce company must respond on November 18 to questions from French parliamentarians who make up an investigative commission to understand how illicit products could be sold in this country.
In addition, a group of deputies from various political horizons announced today the upcoming presentation of a European resolution against the problem of fast fashion, which urges Brussels and the French Government to adopt a stronger stance against Shein.
Among them is the deputy of the conservative party The Republicans Antoine Vermorel-Marques, who announced the presentation of a complaint today before the Paris prosecutor’s office for the sale in Shein of category A weapons (machetes and brass knuckles).
“It is sold as a bestseller on Shein… and even with a discount for Christmas. That is already too much,” he exclaimed on his social networks, recalling that “the sale of these weapons is punishable by 5 years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros” in France.
BHV bet
The Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Vincent Jeanbrun, today deplored the opening of the store, which he described as a “strategic mistake” by BHV, which acts motivated, in his opinion, by “the attraction of money.”
The president of the Société des grands magasins (SGM, owner of the BHV department store), Frédéric Merlin, 34, denounced a “generalized hypocrisy” towards Shein and its “25 million French customers” on the platform.
Meanwhile, the list of brands that turn their backs on BHV for its relationship with Shein continues to grow.
The Galeries Lafayette group agreed with SGM to terminate its collaboration contract in its seven stores in provincial capitals operated by the Merlin group.