FAST-FASHION giant Shein has been banned in France on the very day it opened its first-ever physical store – as fury erupted over child sex dolls being sold on the website.
The shocking listings – – sparked outrage across France just as the Chinese-founded retailer prepared to cut the ribbon its Paris debut.
Advertised on Shein “sex dolls with childlike appearance” – sparked outrage across FranceCredit: Shein
A protester holds a picture of a childlike sex doll outside BHV Marais department store in ParisCredit: AP
The dolls are about three-foot tall and depict a little girlCredit: SHEIN
The three foot dolls, priced at around £170 (€190), were described online as “sex dolls with erotic body” and “realistic genitalia”. Officials said the images showed what looked like a little girl clutching a teddy bear, with braids and a wide-eyed expression.
France’s consumer watchdog, the DGCCRF, said the ads made its “blood run cold”, and that it was “difficult to doubt the child pornography nature of the content”.
The watchdog confirmed it had reported Shein to prosecutors, triggering a full investigation.
DGCCRF spokesperson Alice Vilcot-Dutarte told Le Parisien: “The announcements particularly shocked us. Imagine a child browsing the site, looking for a doll, randomly stumbling upon these products.”
Shein has since removed the listings, insisting the dolls were uploaded by independent sellers – and claimed to have a “zero-tolerance policy” on anything that breaches its standards or the law.
A company spokesperson said: “The products in question were immediately removed from the platform as soon as we became aware of these major shortcomings.”
But the damage was done. Within hours, the French government announced it was suspending Shein’s operations in the country “for the time necessary for the platform to demonstrate that all of its content complies with French law.”
Trade Minister Serge Papin blasted: “This is a company whose model is disregard for the rules. I will be uncompromising with the products you can find in stores.”
He added that Shein’s environmental and safety standards “do not respect French laws”.
MP Antoine Vermorel-Marques was even more scathing, telling the National Assembly: “A line has been crossed. We went from fast fashion to fast crime. Child pornography dolls were being sold freely on this platform. It’s a scandal.”
The MP said he had also reported Shein to the Paris prosecutor after discovering weapons – including category A arms – on sale online.
“These weapons are not only for sale,” he said, “but with free delivery.”
Minister Papin replied: “This is too much. These are the same types of weapons used in the assassination of young Elias on January 26.”
Adding to the outrage, Shein had already faced backlash in recent weeks over another shocking product – a children’s Christmas outfit emblazoned with the words .
The two-piece set, designed for toddlers aged 12 months to four years, featured red trousers and a white long-sleeved top bearing the adult-themed phrase – leaving parents horrified it was ever approved for sale.
The slogan, widely recognised as a sexualised joke, saw furious shoppers branding the brand “disgusting” and “beyond tone-deaf” for selling it in a children’s range.
Despite the national uproar, Shein’s flashy Paris launch went ahead at 1 p.m. on Wednesday – inside the BHV Marais department store, one of the capital’s best-known retail landmarks.
Police flooded the area from early morning fearing violent clashes. Dozens of officers, vans and barricades lined Rue de Rivoli.
Outside, protesters held up signs reading: “BHV sells dreams made in poverty,” “Shame on Shein!” and “Fast fashion, we’re the ones who pay for the low prices!”
Paris mayoral candidate Emmanuel Grégoire joined the rally, calling the opening “a scandal” and demanding it be cancelled immediately.
A woman holds a placard which reads as “Protect children. Not Shein” as people protest in front of the BHV department store in ParisCredit: AFP
The watchdog confirmed it had reported Shein to prosecutors, triggering a full investigationCredit: AFP
“Shein’s environmental and social production conditions are a disgrace,” he fumed. “This is against the wishes of all the unions who keep Parisian businesses alive.”
Green deputy mayor David Belliard accused the brand of “using slave labour” and “endangering our children by selling sexualised dolls of little girls”.
“This company has no right to do business here,” he said.
Activist Arnaud Gallais, a survivor of child abuse, was also among the protesters: “Shame on BHV and Shein. The store promotes a company complicit in pedocriminality. Shein has no business being in the heart of Paris.”
Inside, crowds were massive – around 200 people queued before opening time, eager to see what the fuss was about.
One shopper, Mélanie, 41, shrugged off the controversy: “I place an order on Shein once a week. It’s good quality and really cheap. We can’t all afford to buy French.”
Others were less impressed. Yvonne, a retiree from Meaux, complained after queueing an hour and a half: “It’s too expensive. I didn’t buy anything. Online is cheaper. I won’t be coming back.”
Some customers complained of a foul smell inside, saying “it smells like cheese and vomit,” after protesters reportedly sprayed a substance in the aisles.
By mid-afternoon, tensions rose again as activists stormed the 6th floor, waving Palestinian flags and signs reading “From colonisation to your closet”. They were swiftly escorted out by security.
The store’s owner, Frédéric Merlin, tried to stay upbeat. “I’m happy, there are a lot of people,” he said. “The shop is very nice – we’re not used to dealing with so many customers!”
Merlin insisted: “I am certain of the quality and origin of the products we sell here.”
He added that BHV had “selected the high end” of Shein’s range, arguing it was in line with the department store’s usual standards.
But outside, chants of “Boycott Shein!” and “Shame on you!” echoed across the street, as police struggled to hold back protesters.
The scandal has now spread to Brussels, with French MPs pushing for a European-wide resolution to crack down on Shein and other fast-fashion giants.
“The urgency is clear,” said Vermorel-Marques. “After the bill on fast fashion, it’s time for Europe to act.”
As of Wednesday night, Shein said it had suspended all third-party listings and wanted to “engage in dialogue” with French authorities.
The company admitted: “Following concerns related to certain listings made by independent third-party sellers, we are taking immediate action.”
Even as the brand tried to control the fallout, its Paris launch – meant to celebrate success – instead became a symbol of global outrage.
The director of the Bazar de l’Hotel de Ville department store Karl-Stephane Cottendin speaks to the press at Asian e-commerce giant Shein first physical store BHV’s stall in ParisCredit: AFP
The scandal has now spread to Brussels, with French MPs pushing for a European-wide resolution to crack down on SheinCredit: AFP 
