France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Thursday called on European Union business enforcers to get tough with the online platform Shein for defying trading rules, less than a day after the retailer opened its first physical store in the world in Paris.
"The European Commission must crack down and sanction Shein," Barrot told French broadcaster FranceInfo, saying that the Asian e-commerce giant was "clearly in breach of European rules".
The Commission has been looking into the Asian e-commerce giant for risks linked to products that don't meet EU standards. France and other member states have also issued warnings, with the French government on Wednesday suspending Shein's online platform until the company complies with national legislation.
"I welcome the Prime Minister's request to suspend the platform until it complies with French law but I want to go further by taking action at the European level," Barrot said.
French ministers have written to the European Commission urging it to investigate Shein, which is accused of allowing third-party sellers on its marketplace to trade in illegal products including childlike sex dolls and banned weapons.
"France alerts the European Commission and all member states to these serious breaches within its borders, and expects there are similar risks associated with this platform's activities in other European Union countries," France's finance minister Roland Lescure and digital minister Anne le Henanff warned in a letter sent on Wednesday night.
A spokesperson told Reuters that the Commission was in touch with Shein over the complaint and could take further steps, but added that the EU did not intend to suspend any platforms throughout the bloc.
Shein opens first store in Paris as scandal and criticism mount
Customs dispute
Shein has pledged to “fully cooperate” with French judicial authorities and has announced a total ban on the sale of sex dolls.
Barrot told FranceInfo: "The European Commission is looking into all platforms, whether they be trading rooms, product exchanges or social networks, but without any real effect.
"There have been abuses that raise questions of public order and public safety. We have regulated all of this with rules that are not being respected. So the European Commission must crack down."
EU backs tough legislation to slash food waste and rein in 'fast fashion'
Beyond hosting illegal products, Shein and other e-commerce sites take advantage of EU rules that exempt low-value packages from customs duties to send cheap goods directly from Chinese factories to European shoppers.
While the EU plans to end the waiver in 2028, France is pushing to impose duties sooner and has proposed charging a flat €2 fee for every low-value parcel.
