Shein Bans All Sex Dolls After French Outcry Over Childlike Dolls

Shein bans sale of all sex dolls after French outcry over childlike dolls

Nov. 4 (UPI) — Fast‑fashion e‑commerce platform Shein announced a global ban on the sale of all sex dolls after French authorities and the public raised concerns about listings for dolls with a childlike appearance on its French site.

In a statement Monday, Shein said it had removed the offending listings and "permanently banned all seller accounts linked to illegal or non‑compliant sex‑doll products." The company added it will strengthen site‑wide controls globally and, as a precaution, temporarily pulled all adult product listings while it reviews marketplace policies, the BBC reported.

"The fight against child exploitation is non‑negotiable for Shein. These were marketplace listings from third‑party sellers — but I take this personally," said Executive Chair Donald Tang. He said the company is tracing the source and will take "swift, decisive action against those responsible."

French authorities were alerted after an anonymous tip about the listings on Shein's France site. The tip prompted an investigation by the Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), which said investigators "discovered that the e‑commerce website Shein was selling sex dolls with a childlike appearance" and that the product descriptions and categorization left "little doubt as to the child pornography nature of the content."

According to BFMTV, the dolls — offered by a third‑party seller — remained available on the platform until about 4 a.m. CET on Monday.

The DGCCRF warned it could bar Shein from operating in France if the listings were not removed. The incident has amplified scrutiny of Shein as it prepares to open a physical shop inside the Paris department store BHV Marais. Following the discovery, some BHV employees protested and several French brands withdrew their products from the department store in protest.

Despite the backlash, SGM President Frédéric Merlin, whose company operates BHV Marais, said he still intends to proceed with the partnership. "I have decided not to reverse my decision, despite the controversy and the pressure because we're doing things by the book, with ethics and transparency," Merlin said.

This episode highlights ongoing challenges for large online marketplaces in policing third‑party listings and preventing the sale of illegal or harmful goods. Shein's steps — removing listings, banning seller accounts and tightening global controls — aim to address immediate concerns while regulators continue their investigation.

Sources: BBC, BFMTV, DGCCRF statements.