Courier service Aramex faces a $700,000 penalty, while GoSweetSpot has been hit with a $525,000 fine following two distinct cartel investigations by the Commerce Commission.
Both Aramex and GoSweetSpot admitted to contracts that divided customers between themselves and a rival. Aramex also confessed to embedding fixed prices in its contract. The separate breaches did not involve agreements between the two firms.
ComCom is also warning nine other courier services over behaviour it views as potential cartel conduct under the law.
“The freight and courier sector has been an area of ongoing concern and focus for us, with the commission taking five court cases in the last 15 years,” Commerce Commission chair Dr John Small said.
Small anticipates that the penalties and warnings will prompt a change in behaviour within the courier sector.
He stressed that the courier sector must stay highly competitive, free from secretive backroom deals.
“Companies engaging in cartel conduct should expect to be on the receiving end of enforcement action.”
Small said, “This outcome sends a strong message that we will not tolerate it.”