France has called on the European Union to open a formal probe into Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein after authorities discovered that its online marketplace had listed child-like sex dolls and banned weapons for sale.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that Shein was "clearly" violating European laws and urged the European Commission to act immediately.

"I believe that the European Commission must take action. It cannot wait any longer," Barrot told Franceinfo radio, calling the situation unacceptable.

Following mounting criticism, France decided to ban Shein for selling illegal products. The company then suspended its marketplace operations in the country, saying it would "review and strengthen" how third-party sellers operate. Shein also announced a global halt on the sale of sex dolls.

In a joint letter to EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen, France’s finance minister Roland Lescure and digital minister Anne le Henanff said, "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."

The ministers also demanded that the Commission launch an investigation "without delay" to determine how such illegal items were allowed to appear on Shein’s platform.

A European Commission spokesperson confirmed receiving the letter and said that the matter was being reviewed to decide the next steps.

Shein has been classified as a "Very Large Online Platform" under the EU’s Digital Services Act, which gives the Commission powers to investigate and fine companies that breach the rules. Penalties can reach up to 6% of a company’s annual global revenue.

Earlier this year, the EU had already asked Shein to share internal documents about risks related to the sale of illegal products and harmful content on its marketplace.

Meanwhile, France has also launched investigations against other e-commerce platforms such as Temu, AliExpress, and Wish, alongside Shein, for allowing minors to access pornographic content through their platforms, the Paris prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday.