The freight forwarding industry has become caught up in an international investigation which is believed to focus on fuel surcharge fixing. A number of companies have confirmed that their offices have been raided by authorities including Kuehne + Nagel, Panalpina, EGL and Expeditors. News reports also mention UTi Worldwide and Schenker.

In a press statement, Kuehne + Nagel revealed that the inspection encompassed, amongst others, offices in Switzerland, in the USA, and in the UK. Panalpina stated that Swiss Federal Competition Commission (Weko) had conducted a search of its premises in Basel and a similar investigation by US anti-trust authorities was conducted in the company's headquarters in the USA. It added that the investigation was aimed at the Association of Swiss Forwarders (Spedlogswiss) and several other forwarding companies, Panalpina included.

Meanwhile Expeditors International said they were the recipient of a subpoena issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) ordering the company to produce certain information and records relating to an investigation of air cargo freight forwarders.

Both Kuehne + Nagel and Panalpina say that they have no reason to suspect that there is any evidence of any anti-competitive behaviour. K+N went further to say that it considered the inspections 'excessive'. Not all forwarders have been caught up in the probe. Danish operator DSV said that it had not been involved.

Back in 2006 the EU and US competition authorities commenced an enquiry concerning allegations of collusion on prices and fuel surcharges for airfreight on trans-Atlantic routes. At the time this involved several major airlines: United, American, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa and British Airways. The suspicion is that this investigation has now been extended to include the major air cargo forwarders.