BRNO, April 23, 2026 — The chairman of the Úřad pro ochranu hospodářské soutěže (ÚOHS) has confirmed a 2.1 million Czech koruna (€85,000) fine against Lorenc Logistic s.r.o. for participating in a cartel related to public procurement contracts for parcel transport services.
The decision follows renewed proceedings after the case was returned to the authority by the Nejvyšší správní soud. The ruling is now final.
Cartel in railway contracts
According to the authority, Lorenc Logistic colluded with EXPRES VAN s.r.o. in tenders organized by the Czech railway infrastructure manager for the transport of commercial parcels.
The cartel operated in two tender periods between 2014–2016 and 2016–2018, with the aim of ensuring that EXPRES VAN would win the contracts.
Fine reduced for cooperation
During the original investigation, Lorenc Logistic applied for a reduction of its fine and met the required conditions, resulting in a 20% reduction and a final penalty of 2.1 million CZK. The company was also not banned from participating in public tenders.
However, the company later appealed the amount of the fine, arguing that the sanction was excessive and disproportionate compared with the penalty imposed on EXPRES VAN.
Court ruling prevents increase in penalty
The chairman of ÚOHS, Petr Mlsna, had initially rejected the appeal and even increased the fine to 2.413 million CZK, arguing that the sanction should be calculated using more recent turnover data.
But the Supreme Administrative Court ruled that where a company has admitted the infringement and applied for a fine reduction, the authority cannot increase the penalty during the appeal process beyond the level previously agreed during the statement of objections.
Following that ruling, Mlsna dismissed the appeal and confirmed the original fine of 2.1 million CZK.
The case is registered under reference 26/061 – R0115/2026.
