China’s Market Regulator Summons Lalamove Over Antitrust Concerns
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Lalamove holds about 63% of China's intracity freight market. Photo: VCG
China’s top market regulator has summoned freight platform giant Lalamove over potential antimonopoly violations, demanding that the company overhaul its business practices.
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced on Sept. 23 that it recently met with Lalamove, ordering it to comply with the country’s Anti-Monopoly Law, ensure fair market competition, and protect the rights of drivers and consumers.
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- China’s SAMR summoned Lalamove over potential antimonopoly violations, urging compliance and fair competition; concerns include high commission fees and opaque algorithms.
- Lalamove commanded 63.1% of China’s intracity freight market in 2024, has faced multiple regulatory summons, and reported $501 million adjusted profit in 2024.
- Despite transparency efforts and announced commission cuts totaling 230 million yuan in 2025, some drivers report little earnings improvement.
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Who’s Who
- Lalamove
- Lalamove (快狗打车) is a freight platform giant that holds 63.1% of the Chinese mainland's intracity freight market in 2024. The company has faced scrutiny from China's market regulator for potential antimonopoly violations, high commission fees, and opaque algorithms. Despite efforts to improve transparency and reduce driver commissions, some drivers remain skeptical. Lalamove is seeking a public listing in Hong Kong, having been profitable for two consecutive years.
- Lalatech Holdings Ltd.
- Lalatech Holdings owns Lalamove, which dominates 63.1% of China's intracity freight market. The company faces scrutiny over alleged monopolistic behavior, high fees, and driver welfare. Lalatech is pursuing a public listing in Hong Kong, its fifth attempt, after reporting adjusted profits of $501 million in 2024.
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What Happened When
- 2021：
- Lalamove's bid to list in the U.S. failed.
- Between 2021 and 2023：
- A multiagency body for new transportation formats summoned Lalamove several times over issues related to commission rates and algorithms.
- 2023：
- Lalamove reported an adjusted profit of $391 million.
- 2024：
- Lalamove commanded 63.1% of the Chinese mainland’s intracity freight market.
- 2024：
- Lalamove reported an adjusted profit of $501 million.
- March 2025：
- Lalamove published its dispatch algorithm rules.
- April 2025：
- Lalamove's parent company, Lalatech, updated its prospectus with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for its fifth IPO attempt.
- As of April 2025：
- On the Chinese mainland, Lalamove covered 363 cities and had 1.2 million monthly active drivers and 14 million monthly active users.
- May 2025：
- Lalamove announced further algorithm optimizations and additional commission-reduction initiatives.
- August 2025：
- A Lalamove driver in Shenzhen reported average trip rates and complexity of commission rules.
- Sept. 23, 2025：
- State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced it had recently met with Lalamove, demanding antimonopoly compliance and business practice overhaul; Lalamove responded that evening, fully accepting the demands and promising immediate rectification.
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