France threatens to ban Shein over sale of ‘childlike’ sex dolls

The French government threatened Monday to bar the Chinese fashion retailer Shein from selling its products online in the country and referred the company to the Paris prosecutor after an investigation found that sex dolls “resembling children” were being sold on the company’s platform in France.

- LIZ ALDERMAN

Karl Cottendin, director of Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville (BHV), centre, addresses the media during a protest against violence against children, in front of the department store in Paris on Monday.AFP

(AFP)

After receiving an anonymous tip, France’s consumer fraud agency said it had discovered the sale of lifelike dolls the size of little girls whose appearance “left little doubt as to the child pornography nature” of the items.

France's economy minister, Roland Lescure, said Monday that he would ask for Shein’s e-commerce site to be blocked in France if the company continued selling the items. “This has crossed a line,’ Mr Lescure said in an interview with French radio, adding that a formal investigation was underway. “These horrible objects are illegal,” he said.

Shein did not respond to a request for comment. The company issued a statement saying it had removed the items over the weekend.