Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 3, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleShein bans sex dolls from its marketplace after France's Finance Minister threatened to shut it down over childlike sex dolls. Shein strengthens its controls.
PARIS (Reuters) -Shein imposed a total ban on sex dolls in its marketplace and suspended the "adult products" category after French Finance Minister Roland Lescure threatened on Monday to ban the Chinese online retailer in France if it ever sold childlike sex dolls again.
The company said it imposed "strict sanctions" on the merchants and strengthened controls by extending a keyword blacklist to prevent would-be sellers from circumventing its rules.
"While each seller is responsible for their own listings, Shein does not tolerate any violation of its internal rules and policies," it said in a statement hours after Lescure's threats.
France's consumer watchdog known as DGCCRF said late on Saturday it spotted the dolls on Shein along with several other pornographic items such as adult-looking sex dolls, and reported the matter to judicial authorities. Shein pulled childlike sex dolls from its marketplace on Sunday.
Shein is set to open its first ever brick-and-mortar shop in BHV department store in central Paris on Wednesday.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Sudip Kar-GuptaEditing by Ros Russell, Helen Reid and Richard Chang)
Adult products refer to items designed for sexual pleasure or enhancement. This category can include a wide range of products, from toys to clothing, and is typically intended for adults only.
A ban is a legal prohibition against certain actions or items. In this context, it refers to the restriction imposed by Shein on selling specific products, such as sex dolls, in their marketplace.
A keyword blacklist is a list of words or phrases that are prohibited from being used in certain contexts, such as product listings. It helps prevent the circumvention of rules and policies.
A consumer watchdog is an organization that monitors and protects consumer rights. It investigates complaints, ensures compliance with regulations, and advocates for fair practices in the marketplace.
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