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World / Europe

France hits Shein with 22mn euros in new fines over consumer violations

Published: 03 Jun 2026 - 03:48 pm | Last Updated: 03 Jun 2026 - 03:49 pm
File photo

File photo

AFP

Paris, France: French authorities said Wednesday that they had imposed two fines on Shein totalling more than 22 million euros ($25.5 million), citing problems with product traceability, environmental labelling and delivery times.

The new penalties bring the total fines imposed by France against the fashion giant to more than 210 million euros.

Shein said it was contesting the "disproportionate" penalties, arguing that no consumer harm had been established.

Trade Minister Serge Papin said e-commerce platforms "avoid complying with our rules".

"This is unfair competition, and I am fighting against it," he said on X.

The government's consumer protection agency DGCCRF imposed the penalties following an investigation targeting several e-commerce platforms, primarily based outside Europe, including Shein.

The first fine of 5.77 million euros targets Infinite Style Ecommerce Co Ltd (ISEL), which handles sales for Shein.

The DGCCRF accuses Shein of failing to comply with a 14-day period required for consumers to be able to reconsider certain purchases and return them free of charge.

The watchdog also accuses the company of omitting mandatory traceability information, such as the countries where its clothing is woven, dyed and manufactured, and of failing to disclose the presence of microplastics in its fabrics.

Microplastics, primarily found in polyester, are released into the water with every machine wash, posing a serious environmental threat.

The agency also slapped a fine of 16.73 million euros on Shein's subsidiary Infinite Styles Services Limited (ISSL), accusing it of violations of consumer law.

"We dispute these findings and consider the fines manifestly disproportionate," Shein said.

"There has never been any doubt about the fairness of transactions on our platform, or the quality and safety of the products and services offered," it said.