Return your item

If you return an item that cost less than NZ$1000, the company you purchased it from is responsible for issuing any refund.

If your item cost more than $1000 and you return an item to the supplier and they repair the item, you don’t need to pay duty and GST on return except for any cost incurred by the importer for the repair and the associated freight costs (free repairs incur no costs). You will need to provide proof of the cost of repairs such as an invoice showing that it is the same item returning and any cost involved with the repairs.

Warranty replacements sent from the supplier are treated as a new import and incur full importation costs.

You can apply for a refund for the original import provided it meets the below criteria and sufficient evidence can be supplied.

If you paid duty at the time of importation, you may request a refund of duty, provided the item is returned to the supplier. You must provide evidence of the return.

However, GST can only be refunded if:

If you return the item/s to the supplier or destroy under direction from Customs due to:

• the item being faulty
• your item was damaged, destroyed, stolen or deteriorated before it was released by Customs
• the item is not what you ordered.

You are not eligible for a refund of GST if you have imported goods from overseas, they have been received but you then decide you don't want all or some of them.

To request a refund, please email service.delivery@customs.govt.nz with the details of your refund application.

For businesses, please refer to the Commercial refunds and drawbacks page for refund information.