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Germany’s Cartel Office Ends DHL Antitrust Investigation Following Ownership Exit

By  |  July 7, 2025

Germany’s antitrust authority has concluded a long-running investigation into Deutsche Post DHL Group, bringing an end to scrutiny over potential anti-competitive practices in the country’s postal services sector, according to Reuters.

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    The Federal Cartel Office had spent two years examining DHL’s involvement in the mail consolidation market, particularly through its subsidiary Deutsche Post InHaus Services. This business unit collects and processes bulk letters from various corporate clients, enabling them to receive volume-based postal discounts. The regulatory concern stemmed from overlapping interests between DHL and a competing firm, Max-Ventures, in a third player operating in the same market niche.

    Per Reuters, both DHL and Max-Ventures previously held stakes—26% and 74% respectively—in Compador, a company also active in mail consolidation. The ownership overlap raised questions about whether DHL’s influence in the sector could stifle competition.

    Source: UK Competition Watchdog Eyes Potential Evri-DHL Merger Over Market Concerns

    In response to the investigation, DHL divested its shareholding in Compador, transferring full ownership to Max-Ventures. The company also terminated service contracts with Max-Ventures related to processing letter volumes, allowing for future negotiations free of any shareholder entanglement, Reuters reported.

    The Cartel Office confirmed that these actions adequately addressed its concerns and that the ownership changes would support fair competition going forward.

    DHL welcomed the regulator’s decision to close the case. In a statement, the company reaffirmed its longstanding position, stating that neither Deutsche Post AG nor Deutsche Post InHaus Services had breached competition law.

    Source: Reuters