Aramex, GoSweetSpot face penalties of $700,000 and $525,000, respectively
After separate hearings, the Auckland High Court ordered courier companies Aramex New Zealand Holdings Limited and Sweetspot Group Limited, trading as GoSweetSpot (GSS), to pay penalties of $700,000 and $525,000, respectively, for engaging in cartel conduct.
“Stamping out cartel conduct is an enforcement priority for the Commission - this outcome sends a strong message that it will not be tolerated,” said Dr John Small, Commerce Commission chair, in a news release.
The Commerce Commission noted that it investigated Aramex and GSS. In its news release, the commission provided more information regarding the proceedings involving the two courier companies.
Aramex was a carrier offering courier transportation services to customers. In 2025, it admitted to entering into and giving effect to a contractual arrangement, which allocated customers and fixed prices between itself and a fellow competitor in the courier services market.
On the other hand, GSS was a reseller brokering courier transportation services to customers. It admitted to entering into and giving effect to contractual arrangements, which allocated customers between itself and another competitor within the courier services market.
Aramex and GSS negotiated their contractual arrangements in the context of reseller/carrier arrangements. The Commerce Commission noted that the two couriers did not execute agreements including cartel provisions with one another.
The Commerce Commission acknowledged that it agreed to settle the proceedings with both courier companies before the penalty hearings in the High Court of New Zealand.
In its news release, the Commerce Commission shared its plan to soon issue warnings to nine courier services/businesses for participating in conduct potentially amounting to cartel conduct in violation of the Commerce Act 1986.
“We expect these penalties and warnings to bring about a change of behaviour in the courier sector,” Small said.
“The courier industry plays a critical strategic role in New Zealand’s economy, given the importance of transport for the movement of goods,” Small said in the Commerce Commission’s news release.
He acknowledged the Commerce Commission’s focus on the freight and courier sector, an area giving rise to continuing concern. He stressed the importance of a highly competitive courier industry without harmful arrangements made behind closed doors.
Small noted that the Commerce Commission has taken on five court cases in connection with the courier sector over the past 15 years.
“Companies engaging in cartel conduct should expect to be on the receiving end of enforcement action,” he said in the news release.
