Tax and GST shopping 'off airport'

Off airport tax and duty free retailers

One of the best benefits of international travel is the ability to buy goods at duty and tax free prices from retailers 'off airport' (i.e. your everday retailers on the high street) before you fly. You can often get the goods and services tax (GST) off your purchases, saving you at least 15% on your shopping.

If you are in the market for engagement rings, electronics or scuba gear and suits, duty and tax free goods can be bought at a large number of shops across New Zealand.

How does it work?

When you want to buy at duty and tax free prices before you fly, check which retailers are registered as tax and GST free retailers. You will need to show your international airline ticket (flight number, date and time of travel) when making your purchases.

The items you buy will be sent to Auckland Airport and will remain there until your departure from Auckland Airport. On the day of your departure you will  collect the items from the The Collection Point (located after passport control/security) at Auckland Airport.

Which retailers are tax and GST free?

There are many retailers across New Zealand that you can shop tax and GST free from - either check the list below or ring your favourite stores to see if they provide the tax and GST free shopping service for travellers.

Download the list of participating tax and GST free retailers in New Zealand.

Goods and services tax (GST) and visitors to New Zealand

As a visitor, you might wonder if you are required to pay goods and services tax (GST) during your stay in New Zealand.

Inland Revenue advises that the answer, in nearly all cases, is yes.

You will pay GST (at 15%) on your purchases, just like a New Zealand resident does. Under our laws, you will not be able to get a refund of GST when you depart from the country.

However, GST is not charged on goods that are exported from New Zealand. You may be able to avoid having GST charged on purchases if you don’t take possession of those goods while you are in New Zealand. There are two ways of doing this:

1. Ask the retailer to mail the goods directly to your overseas address; or
2. Ask about the “sealed bag” system.

You can use the “sealed bag” system if you’ll be leaving New Zealand within five days of the sale, and the retailer is authorised to offer the service. Under this system, the retailer puts your purchase in a sealed bag which is then sent to the airport. You pick up the goods at The Collection Point as you pass through Customs.

The sealed bag system is most likely to be available through large retailers (like national jewellery stores), and businesses in the more popular tourist spots such as Queenstown and Rotorua.

GST is not charged on goods purchased from duty free shops which operate at international airports.

Become a New Zealand tax and GST free retailer

If you would like to offer GST free products to your customers, contact our retail operations manager for more information.