French Customs Cite Shein for Product Violations as EU Tightens Scrutiny
00:00/00:00
Listen to this article
1x
Subscribe now
Listen to the full version
Listen to the full version
File photo: A smartphone displays the Shein app. Photo: VCG
French authorities have found nearly 25% of nontextile items shipped from Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein failed to meet safety and labeling standards, marking the latest escalation in Europe's regulatory scrutiny of the Chinese e-commerce giant.
A customs inspection of 320,474 Shein packages beginning Nov. 6 uncovered infractions ranging from counterfeit goods to unlabeled cosmetics and toys that did not meet safety requirements, according to a report by Le Parisien. Textile products — the company’s core business — had a much lower rate of violations, though authorities declined to disclose specific figures.
You've accessed an article available only to subscribers
VIEW OPTIONS
Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.
Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.
- RELATED
Share this article
Open WeChat and scan the QR code
- DIGEST HUB
Digest Hub
Back
Explore the story in 30 seconds
- Nearly 25% of Shein’s nontextile goods inspected in France failed safety and labeling standards; textile items had fewer violations.
- French and EU regulators have intensified scrutiny and fines against Shein, Temu, and AliExpress over product safety, unfair competition, and misleading claims.
- Despite investigations, Shein became France’s 5th largest fashion retailer in H1 2025; Temu ranked 15th.
AI generated, for reference only
Who’s Who
- Shein
- French authorities found nearly 25% of non-textile items from Shein failed safety and labeling standards in a customs inspection of over 320,000 packages. Violations included counterfeit goods and unsafe toys. Shein attributes these issues to a small number of packages and has increased internal controls, though they have not received official results for the reviews. Despite scrutiny, Shein is France's fifth-largest fashion retailer.
- PDD Holdings Inc.
- PDD Holdings Inc. operates Temu, one of the Chinese e-commerce platforms facing increased regulatory scrutiny in Europe. This scrutiny stems from concerns over product safety, opaque business practices, and unfair competition. In December, PDD Co-CEO Chen Lei acknowledged these regulatory reviews as understandable given Temu's rapid global expansion.
- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. operates AliExpress, an e-commerce unit that is currently facing increased regulatory scrutiny in Europe. This scrutiny, also affecting other Chinese platforms like Shein and Temu, stems from concerns about product safety, opaque business practices, and unfair competition. French authorities have launched inquiries into AliExpress and other platforms.
- Temu
- Temu, operated by PDD Holdings Inc., is one of the Chinese e-commerce platforms facing increasing regulatory scrutiny in Europe. Concerns include product safety and opaque business practices. Despite this, Temu ranked as France's 15th-largest fashion retailer in the first half of 2025. The EU Commission is investigating whether Temu receives Chinese state subsidies.
- AliExpress
- AliExpress, a unit of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., is one of the Chinese e-commerce platforms facing increased regulatory scrutiny in Europe. This scrutiny stems from concerns over product safety, opaque business practices, and unfair competition. French prosecutors initiated inquiries into AliExpress in early November as part of a broader investigation.
- Wish
- Inquiries into the U.S.-based e-commerce firm Wish were opened by Paris prosecutors on November 3. This investigation is part of a broader campaign targeting several e-commerce platforms, including Shein, Temu, and AliExpress, due to concerns about product safety, opaque business practices, and unfair competition.
- eBay
- A probe into eBay (易趣) by Paris prosecutors began in November, following inquiries into Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and Wish. This investigation is part of a broader campaign targeting e-commerce platforms over concerns about product safety, business practices, and competition.
AI generated, for reference only
What Happened When
- First half of 2025：
- Shein ranked as France’s fifth-largest fashion retailer, while Temu ranked fifteenth.
- July 2025：
- France fined Shein €40 million ($47 million) for using misleading discounts and making unsupported environmental claims.
- July 2025：
- The European Commission stated that Temu had failed to meet risk assessment requirements under the Digital Services Act.
- Early November 2025：
- Regulatory pressure on Shein intensified as allegations surfaced regarding illegal goods.
- Nov. 3, 2025：
- Paris prosecutors opened inquiries into Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and the U.S.-based e-commerce firm Wish.
- Nov. 6, 2025：
- A customs inspection of 320,474 Shein packages began in France.
- Nov. 6, 2025：
- Shein suspended its third-party marketplace in France.
- Early December 2025：
- The EU Commission raided Temu’s Dublin offices to investigate potential Chinese state subsidies.
- Dec. 19, 2025：
- A Paris court rejected a government lawsuit seeking to suspend Shein’s operations for three months.
- Dec. 19, 2025：
- PDD Co-CEO Chen Lei addressed regulatory scrutiny during a shareholder meeting.
AI generated, for reference only
- MOST POPULAR
Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook
Sign in with 财新