Budget Minister Amélie de Montchalin announced the action on Platform X. She said that the activities carried out on an “exceptional scale” are intended to ensure that the products sent by Shein to France meet safety and quality standards. — We want to be sure about the compliance of products, the veracity of declarations and compliance with customs and tax regulations Montchalin wrote.
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Problems of the Shein platform in France. The reason is controversial and dangerous products
The decision to initiate an inspection and suspension procedure for Shein's activities was made after the scandal surrounding it was revealed with the sale of sex dolls that look like children through the platform. In response, the French government also asked the prosecutor's office to block the portal, pointing to the “systemic nature of the violations.”
The authorities' actions coincided with the opening on Wednesday of the world's first stationary Shein store in the Parisian department store BHV – right opposite the city hall. This decision was met with a wave of criticism from French manufacturers and industry organizations, which accuse the Chinese company of destroying the local industry by promoting the “fast fashion” model.
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During the inspection, French services have already found illegal or non-compliant goods, including: dangerous children's toys, substandard cosmetics, faulty electrical appliances and counterfeits. As the minister emphasized, “all packages will be opened – no exceptions.”
The operation carried out at CDG airport is part of the procedure initiated by the government the day before to suspend Shein's operations in France. It is expected to last 48 hours and is intended to verify whether the Chinese e-commerce platform complies with French law.
Charles de Gaulle Airport is the main entry point for goods from Chinese e-commerce platforms – as much as 95 percent shipments from China going to France pass through this port. It handles approximately 2 million tons of cargo annually, making it the second largest cargo airport in Europe.
Montchalin noted that the government's actions are aimed at “restoring equal competition rules for all market participants” and protecting French consumers from unsafe products.
