Tax refund in New Zealand ?

Question

I understand that there is a tax of 12.5 % on goods in New Zealand. If I am a tourist, can I get a tax refund at the airport (the very last one where I exit and head for international flight back home) like most European countries ? How are the procedures and requirerments ?

Answer 1

The short answer to this question is no.

The tax you are referring to is called 'Goods and Services Tax' (GST). New Zealand does not operate a refund scheme like those in Europe. The only way you can avoid paying GST is to buy from a duty free shop or have the shopkeeper export/ship the goods to you in your home country. For such transactions the seller is not obliged to add GST.

Relevant NZ Customs website page listed below.

Answer 2

go to www.ird.govt.nz.

Everything you use or consume in NZ has the tax on it, there's no way round this.

Anything you purchase but don't take delivery of, that is, have it forwarded to your home address or the "foreign" side of the Airport Departure Lounge, is tax free. Many shops will do this for you.