Archive · 2 Nov 2025
France Reports Shein for Selling 'Childlike' Sex Dolls
France's watchdog group, which helps stop scams, found that the online store Shein was selling some dolls that looked like children but were meant for adults.
The watchdog said these dolls were so inappropriate that they seemed like child pornography.
They reported Shein to the police and other regulators.
Shein quickly took the dolls off their website and promised to look into it.
This happened just before Shein was planning to open its first real store in Paris.
Shein has had other problems in France before, including big fines for not following rules about things like online cookies and misleading ads.
They are also facing scrutiny from the European Commission for possibly selling illegal items and for the environmental impact of their fast fashion business.
France's anti-fraud unit reported e-commerce giant Shein for selling sex dolls with a childlike appearance.
The watchdog stated the dolls' description and categorization suggested a child pornography nature.
Shein has withdrawn the dolls from its platform and initiated an internal inquiry.
The dolls measure approximately 80 centimeters and were advertised with explicitly sexual captions.
Shein has previously been fined heavily in France for violations related to online laws and environmental impact.
- Who
- France's anti-fraud unit (DGCCRF)
- What
- Reported Shein for selling sex dolls with a childlike appearance, deeming them potentially child pornography.
- When
- Saturday
- Where
- France
- Why
- The description and categorization of the dolls on Shein's website made it difficult to doubt the child pornography nature of the content.
DGCCRF (Anti-Fraud Unit)
Shein
Nature of the Dolls
DGCCRF (Anti-Fraud Unit)
The 'sex dolls with a childlike appearance' were deemed to have a 'child pornography nature' due to their description and categorization on the website.
Shein
Shein has withdrawn the dolls and launched an internal inquiry, implying a response to the concerns raised, though not explicitly admitting to the classification as child pornography.
Company's Past Compliance
DGCCRF (Anti-Fraud Unit)
Shein has a history of significant fines in France (191 million euros in 2025) for failing to comply with online cookie legislation, false advertising, misleading information, and not declaring microfibres.
Shein
Despite past issues, Shein's share value has increased significantly, and it continues to expand, with plans for its first physical outlet in Paris.
- Reporting Body
- France's anti-fraud unit (DGCCRF)
- Company Involved
- Shein
- Nature of Products
- Sex dolls with a childlike appearance
- Action Taken by Shein
- Dolls withdrawn, internal inquiry launched
- Potential Penalties in France
- Up to 7 years imprisonment and 100,000 euro fine
- Previous Fines on Shein in France
- 191 million euros in 2025