Shein wins in court – avoids shutdown of marketplace

One of the dolls that prompted the French review

Stop for adult products without control.

The French government's attempt to shut down the e-commerce company Shein's marketplace has been rejected by the Paris Court of Appeal. The decision marks a temporary end to the legal process that began after child-like sex dolls were discovered on the platform last year.

The French state initially demanded a total ban of Shein's site in the country, a requirement that was later adjusted to a temporary shutdown of the company's marketplace for third-party sellers. A lower court dismissed the request in December, arguing that the measure was disproportionate. The French government appealed the decision, but the appeals court ruled on Thursday to uphold the previous ruling.

Conditions sales

Although Shein is allowed to keep its marketplace open in France, the court maintains the requirement that the company not allow the sale of adult products without adequate age controls. The French government announced in a statement that it will closely monitor Shein's implementation of the measures required by the court.

After French consumer authorities flagged the products in November, Shein removed the relevant articles and paused the adult product category globally. In connection with Thursday's ruling, the company states that it is now rolling out age verification systems in several markets.

Over the past few months, we have continued to significantly strengthen our controls of both sellers and products on our marketplace, to ensure that our consumers in France can have a safe and enjoyable online shopping experience, Shein wrote in a written statement, adding that they maintain close dialogue with European authorities.

Political and regulatory pressure in Europe

The decision in the French court comes during a period when Shein is facing increased scrutiny on several fronts within Europe.

Investigation by the EU Commission: In February 2026, a formal review of Shein was initiated based on the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). The investigation concerns, among other things, the company's processes for stopping illegal products, a review that directly stemmed from the French discoveries, as well as the platform's recommendation system.
Political demands in Sweden: The discovery of the products on the platform also prompted action from the Swedish government at the end of 2025. Social Services Minister Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M) called representatives from Shein and Amazon to a meeting at the Ministry of Justice and flagged new legislation unless the industry takes its own measures.
Criticism about competitive conditions: In France, political pressure remains. The country's minister for small and medium-sized enterprises stated in February that online actors such as Shein have a "year of resistance" to look forward to, referring to the fact that they are considered to benefit from unfair competitive advantages over European traders.

In addition to the sale of its own brand, Shein operates a marketplace where external traders can sell products in a wide range of categories, from home electronics to clothing.

Editorial Staff