Amazon Hit with €59 Million Fine by German Antitrust Watchdog Over Marketplace Pricing Rules

In a landmark enforcement action, Germany's top competition authority has fined Amazon approximately €59 million ($69.6 million) for imposing unlawful pricing terms on independent sellers using its dominant online marketplace.

The Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) stated on Thursday that Amazon had violated antitrust rules by restricting how third-party merchants could set prices for products sold on its Amazon Marketplace platform. The regulator ordered the company to cease the practices immediately.

This decision represents the first financial penalty levied against Amazon by Germany's competition watchdog. The company holds an estimated 60% share of the country's online retail sector, with its Marketplace platform alone generating roughly 60% of Amazon's revenue in Germany.

Based in Bonn, the Cartel Office has increasingly focused on the market power of major U.S. tech firms. While it has previously mandated behavioral changes from Amazon and others to protect competition, this substantial fine signals a more assertive phase of enforcement. Analysts view the move as part of a broader European effort to ensure a level playing field in digital markets dominated by a few giants.

The ruling underscores the tension between platform operators and the independent businesses that rely on them. By dictating sellers' pricing, platforms can potentially stifle competition and limit consumer choice, regulators argue.

Klaus Berger, Small Business Owner in Berlin: "This is a long-overdue correction. For years, we've felt powerless against Amazon's algorithms and terms. This fine, while a drop in the ocean for them, is a vital signal that the rules apply to everyone."

Dr. Elena Schmidt, Competition Law Professor, Frankfurt: "The Bundeskartellamt is using its tools precisely. The fine is significant, but the mandated change in conduct is more critical. It sets a precedent for how dominant platforms must interact with business users."

Markus Vogel, Tech Industry Analyst (Sharply Critical): "It's pure regulatory theater. €59 million is a parking ticket for Amazon. This won't change their model—it just adds a minor cost of doing business in Europe. German regulators are fighting yesterday's battle while the real competitive dynamics evolve elsewhere."

Sophie Weber, Consumer Advocate, Hamburg: "When platforms control prices, consumers ultimately lose. This enforcement is a win for market fairness. We need sustained vigilance to ensure these giants don't find new ways to circumvent the spirit of the law."