Germany’s top antitrust authority has warned Amazon that its pricing system for third-party sellers may break competition laws.
The Federal Cartel Office said on Monday that Amazon’s pricing controls could unfairly harm sellers and mislead customers. According to their preliminary findings, Amazon limits product visibility using “non-transparent marketplace rules” that affect sellers’ freedom to set prices.
Amazon reportedly uses algorithms and statistical models to set price limits. If a product is marked as “too expensive” or “not competitive,” it may be hidden in searches, removed from the buy box, or excluded from advertising.
The buy box is key to sales. It is the first option shown when customers view a product and the default for the “Add to Cart” button.
Cartel Office President Andreas Mundt stated that Amazon’s influence over prices is especially concerning because it competes with the same sellers on its platform.
“If Amazon caps competitors’ prices, it raises serious concerns about fair competition,” he said.
The regulator also warned that Amazon’s rules might stop other retailers from offering lower prices, further hurting market competition.
Amazon strongly disagreed with the findings, arguing that changing its pricing system would worsen the shopping experience.
“If we can’t help people find good deals, they may end up with overpriced products,” a spokesperson said.
Amazon will have a chance to respond before a final decision is made.
This comes as Amazon faces other probes in the EU and US, with a major US trial scheduled for October 2026.
