France Court Dismisses Request to Halt Shein Operations – DW – 12/19/2025

A Paris court recently ruled against the French government’s attempt to suspend the operations of Chinese online retailer Shein. This decision came after a notable public controversy surrounding the sale of inappropriate items on the platform.

Background of the Court’s Decision

The French government filed a request for a three-month suspension of Shein on December 19, 2025. This action followed significant public concern over child-like sex dolls and other illegal products available on the site.

Key Findings of the Court

• The court emphasized that suspending Shein would have been “disproportionate” given that the offensive items had already been removed.
• It acknowledged a “serious harm to public order” but indicated that the incurred harm from illicit items was sporadic.
• The court noted that only a limited number of products were deemed manifestly illegal out of the extensive inventory available on Shein.

Orders and Responsibilities

Despite its ruling, the court mandated that Shein implement age-verification protocols before offering any products that could be considered pornographic. Shein welcomed this decision, reaffirming its commitment to enhance control measures on its platform.

Ongoing Investigations and Proceedings

The inquiry into Shein began on November 5, initiated by France’s consumer watchdog alongside the Finance Ministry. In response, Shein suspended several third-party listings but continued to sell its own brand items directly.

Regulatory Context in the European Union

In a related development, the European Union invoked its “digital acquis” mechanism to gather further information regarding Shein’s practices for child protection. This action was prompted by France’s call for potential EU sanctions aimed at the retailer.

Broader Market Context

The investigation into Shein also highlighted similar practices on other platforms. The French consumer regulator identified illicit product listings on several competitors, including:

• AliExpress
• Amazon
• eBay
• Joom
• Temu

Since its founding in 2012, Shein has expanded from its Chinese origins to establish its current base in Singapore while maintaining significant manufacturing operations in China.