• Shein has been reported to French prosecutors over the sale of sex dolls with a childlike appearance.
• The dolls were removed from Shein's website after intervention from the DGCCRF.
• This controversy arises as Shein prepares to open its first physical store in France.

France's Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) has officially reported Shein for selling "sex dolls with a childlike appearance" that potentially violate laws against child pornography. The watchdog stated that the "description and categorization" of these dolls make their nature hard to dispute, warranting legal action from judicial authorities, which has raised serious concerns regarding child safety and the accessibility of such items to minors, according to Le Monde, BBC, and Reuters.

In response to the allegations, Shein quickly delisted the controversial products and announced an internal investigation to understand how these listings bypassed its screening measures. The company emphasized its commitment to complying with laws and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for content that violates its internal guidelines, as conveyed in statements to multiple news sources including Le Monde and Reuters.

This controversy has surfaced just days before Shein's opening of its first permanent store in France, set to launch in the Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville in Paris. The move has faced criticism from established French retailers who argue that Shein’s low-cost model undermines their businesses, according to BBC and Reuters.