French Court Rejects Government's Bid to Suspend Shein, Citing Disproportionality
PARIS – A French judicial court on Friday rejected the government's request for a three-month suspension of the ultra-fast fashion giant Shein's website in France. The decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing regulatory scrutiny of online marketplaces, with the court deeming the state's demand "disproportionate" given Shein's actions to remove illicit products from its platform. The ruling, issued by the Paris judicial court, allows the e-commerce behemoth to continue its full operations in the country, albeit under a newly imposed injunction to ensure strict age-verification for potentially pornographic content.
The government's push for a suspension stemmed from the discovery of prohibited items, including childlike sex dolls, banned weapons, and certain medications, being sold through Shein's third-party marketplace. French authorities, led by the Finance Ministry, sought to block the entire website for three months, arguing that a complete shutdown was necessary to compel the company to implement robust product oversight and compliance controls before any potential reopening. This legal challenge underscores a broader effort by France to regulate large online platforms and address concerns ranging from consumer safety to environmental impact and fair competition within the retail sector.
The State's Case and Shein's Response
The legal proceedings saw the French state invoke Article 6.3 of the country's digital economy law, which grants judges the authority to implement measures to prevent or cease harm caused by online content. Authorities presented their arguments before the Paris court, emphasizing the "serious harm to public order" posed by the availability of illegal products on such a widely accessed platform. They contended that while Shein had disabled its third-party marketplace in France on November 5, immediately following the discovery of the illicit items, more stringent and court-mandated controls were necessary to prevent future recurrences.
Shein, represented by its Dublin-based European entity, Infinite Styles Services Co Ltd, countered the government's arguments by highlighting its swift response to the initial findings. The company maintained that the prohibited items were offered by external sellers on its marketplace, not by Shein directly. Upon being alerted, Shein promptly removed the flagged products and subsequently suspended its entire third-party marketplace in France, acknowledging difficulties in implementing effective age verification for certain categories. Shein's legal team argued that a complete suspension of its primary platform, which sells its own brand of apparel, would be an overreach given the company's proactive measures.
The Court's Deliberation and Ruling
In its verdict, the Paris judicial court acknowledged the validity of the state's concerns regarding public order. However, the court's assessment concluded that the sale of the illegal items had been "sporadic" and crucially, that Shein had already taken steps to remove the products from its platform. Consequently, the court determined that a full three-month suspension of the entire Shein website was not a proportionate response.
While rejecting the broader suspension, the court did not entirely dismiss the government's apprehensions. It issued an injunction, specifically prohibiting Shein from resuming the sale of "sexual products that could constitute pornographic content" unless robust age-verification measures are first implemented. This nuanced ruling indicates a judicial balance between holding online platforms accountable for content distributed through their services and recognizing the proportionality of punitive actions, especially when platforms demonstrate corrective behavior. Shein's lawyers stated that the marketplace would likely reopen gradually, as the company acknowledged the complexities of effective age-filtering for certain content.
Broader Context: France's Stance on Fast Fashion
This court case is not an isolated incident but rather part of a broader, more assertive regulatory stance by France concerning the ultra-fast fashion industry and large e-commerce platforms. France has been at the forefront of legislative efforts to curb the environmental and social impacts associated with companies like Shein and Temu. In March 2024, the lower house of the French Parliament unanimously approved a pioneering bill designed to impose penalties on ultra-fast fashion products. This bill, which subsequently passed the French Senate in June 2024, proposes gradually increasing eco-taxes, potentially reaching up to €10 per individual item by 2030, and also includes a ban on advertising for such products. The legislation aims to mitigate the environmental footprint of these high-volume, low-cost garments and protect France's domestic fashion industry.
Furthermore, Shein has faced other significant legal challenges in France. In July 2025, France's Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) imposed a €40 million fine on the company for deceptive commercial practices. The investigation revealed misleading promotional pricing strategies, where discounts were often exaggerated or non-existent, and unsubstantiated environmental claims, commonly referred to as "greenwashing." Shein accepted the fine, indicating a willingness to comply with French consumer protection laws.
Implications and Future Outlook
The Paris court's decision, while a victory for Shein in preventing a complete shutdown, highlights the increasing pressure on large e-commerce platforms to police content and products offered through their services. It signals that while governments are prepared to act, judicial bodies will scrutinize the proportionality of requested sanctions, especially when platforms demonstrate efforts to rectify issues.
The ongoing legislative moves in France, coupled with the previous substantial fine for misleading practices, suggest a sustained regulatory environment for Shein and similar companies. Brussels also initiated formal information requests to Shein in November, indicating potential probes and fines under the European Union's Digital Services Act, reflecting broader concerns across the bloc about consumer safety and unfair competition. This multi-faceted regulatory landscape means that while Shein's French website will remain operational, the company faces continued pressure to enhance its compliance mechanisms, particularly regarding product safety, environmental claims, and fair commercial practices, both in France and across the wider European market. The ruling, therefore, represents a single battle in a much larger, evolving regulatory war against the perceived excesses of ultra-fast fashion.
