Low-cost retailer Shein escapes ban in France but probes continue

The low-cost online platform Shein has avoided a ban in France amid investigations into the sale of illegal products.

“The government has succeeded in getting Shein to remove all illegal products that were being sold on its platform,” the French Economy Ministry announced on Friday. However, Shein remains “under close observation by the state authorities,” the ministry said.

The legal proceedings initiated against the Chinese-founded company on Wednesday are to continue.

However, in an interim assessment on Friday, the national consumer protection agency determined that no illegal products such as child pornography, stabbing weapons or certain medicines were being sold on Shein anymore.

The French government is planning further measures against online retailers after illegal products were detected on other platforms, the ministry’s statement continued.

“The government will initiate new proceedings against these platforms in the coming days,” the authorities said.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has requested a new assessment of the situation next week.

According to the statement, Shein is facing four investigations into the sale of dolls with child pornographic characteristics, in addition to legal proceedings in Paris.

Hundreds of thousands of Shein packages have also been seized by customs, which according to the statement are still being inspected and may result in sanctions.

At the European level, France has called on the EU Commission to investigate and crack down on Shein.