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Home > Finance > German cartel office bans Amazon from using price controls

German cartel office bans Amazon from using price controls

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on February 5, 2026

2 min read

Last updated: February 5, 2026

German cartel office bans Amazon from using price controls - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review

Tags:retail trade regulatory framework e-commerce financial community

Quick Summary

Germany's cartel office bans Amazon's price caps, citing anti-competitive actions. Amazon plans to appeal the 59 million euro fine.

Germany's Cartel Office Prohibits Amazon from Imposing Price Caps

Amazon's Price Control Ban by German Authorities

FRANKFURT, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Germany's cartel office has prohibited Amazon from imposing price caps on online retailers in its German marketplace and for the first time claimed several million euros that it said the U.S. firm obtained through anti-competitive behavior.

Regulatory Decision and Implications

"Amazon competes directly with other marketplace retailers on its platform," said cartel office president Andreas Mundt.

Amazon's Response and Future Actions

"Therefore, influencing competitors' pricing, even in the form of price caps, is only permissible in absolutely exceptional cases, such as price gouging," he added.

Similar Investigations in E-commerce

Since Amazon has so far stuck to its price practice, the office is using a new power it gained through 2023 reforms to initially demand 59 million euros ($69.54 million) from the Big Tech company. The company has one month to appeal the decision.

Rocco Braeuniger, the country manager for Amazon's German site, said the company would appeal "this unprecedented regulatory decision" and continue to operate as usual.

If Amazon is now solely obligated to "promote uncompetitive or even abusive prices in the store, this will lead to a poor shopping experience," he added.

In a similar case, the German watchdog in October started investigating whether China's Temu is influencing the pricing of third-party merchants on its e-commerce platform.

($1 = 0.8484 euros)

(Reporting by Hakan Ersen and Matthias InverardiWriting by Miranda MurrayEditing by Ludwig Burger)

Key Takeaways

•Germany's cartel office prohibits Amazon from imposing price caps.
•Amazon faces a fine of 59 million euros for anti-competitive behavior.
•The decision is based on new regulatory powers from 2023 reforms.
•Amazon plans to appeal the decision, citing potential negative impacts.
•Similar investigations are ongoing in the e-commerce sector.

Frequently Asked Questions about German cartel office bans Amazon from using price controls

1What is a cartel?

A cartel is a group of independent companies that collaborate to manipulate market conditions, often to control prices or limit competition.

2What is anti-competitive behavior?

Anti-competitive behavior refers to actions taken by companies to reduce competition in the market, such as price-fixing or monopolistic practices.

3What are price caps?

Price caps are regulatory limits set on the maximum price that can be charged for a product or service, aimed at protecting consumers from excessive pricing.

4What is e-commerce?

E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods or services using the internet, including online retail and electronic transactions.

5What is a regulatory framework?

A regulatory framework is a set of rules and guidelines established by authorities to govern the conduct of businesses and ensure compliance with laws.

Amazon's Price Control Ban by German Authorities

Regulatory Decision and Implications

"Amazon competes directly with other marketplace retailers on its platform," said cartel office president Andreas Mundt.

Amazon's Response and Future Actions

"Therefore, influencing competitors' pricing, even in the form of price caps, is only permissible in absolutely exceptional cases, such as price gouging," he added.

Similar Investigations in E-commerce

Rocco Braeuniger, the country manager for Amazon's German site, said the company would appeal "this unprecedented regulatory decision" and continue to operate as usual.

If Amazon is now solely obligated to "promote uncompetitive or even abusive prices in the store, this will lead to a poor shopping experience," he added.

In a similar case, the German watchdog in October started investigating whether China's Temu is influencing the pricing of third-party merchants on its e-commerce platform.

($1 = 0.8484 euros)

(Reporting by Hakan Ersen and Matthias InverardiWriting by Miranda MurrayEditing by Ludwig Burger)

Key Takeaways

•Germany's cartel office prohibits Amazon from imposing price caps.

•Amazon faces a fine of 59 million euros for anti-competitive behavior.

•The decision is based on new regulatory powers from 2023 reforms.

•Amazon plans to appeal the decision, citing potential negative impacts.

•Similar investigations are ongoing in the e-commerce sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is a cartel?

A cartel is a group of independent companies that collaborate to manipulate market conditions, often to control prices or limit competition.

2What is anti-competitive behavior?

Anti-competitive behavior refers to actions taken by companies to reduce competition in the market, such as price-fixing or monopolistic practices.

3What are price caps?

Price caps are regulatory limits set on the maximum price that can be charged for a product or service, aimed at protecting consumers from excessive pricing.

4What is e-commerce?

E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods or services using the internet, including online retail and electronic transactions.

5What is a regulatory framework?

A regulatory framework is a set of rules and guidelines established by authorities to govern the conduct of businesses and ensure compliance with laws.