Proceedings initiated against Temu: suspicion of influencing marketplace sellers’ pricing
The Bundeskartellamt has initiated proceedings against Whaleco Technology Limited (Temu), based in Dublin, Ireland. The purpose of the proceedings is to examine the terms and conditions for sellers used by Temu on its German online marketplace under the domain temu.com, and other practices used by Temu when dealing with these sellers.
Ongoing investigation
Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt: “ (…)We are investigating the suspicion that Temu may have set illegal requirements for the sellers’ pricing on its German marketplace. Such requirements could significantly restrict competition and ultimately also lead to price increases in other sales channels.”
15.7 million monthly active users in the European Union
Temu operates various trading platforms, including in Germany since 2023, without itself acting as a seller on them. In May 2024 Temu was designated as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and has since been required to submit transparency reports to the European Union. In its reports, Temu has stated to have had an average of 115.7 million monthly active users in the European Union in the first half of 2025, and to have 19.3 million active users in Germany.
Possibly influencing the sellers’ pricing
The Bundeskartellamt’s examination of the terms and conditions for sellers wishing to sell their products to consumers in Germany relates to Temu possibly influencing the sellers’ pricing on its German online marketplace, including through possibly setting the final selling prices itself. The Bundeskartellamt has also received a complaint from the German Trade Association (Handelsverband Deutschland – HDE – e.V.) against Temu in this regard.