EXPORTER FAQS
FAQ
As a Māori business customer, you’ll get all of the usual NZTE services from our Māori export customer team, who have the cultural and commercial competencies to support your goals.
We work with iwi holding and operating companies, Māori land trusts and incorporations, whānau-owned companies, companies with Māori shareholders and Māori values, and companies that rely on Māori resources. We are accustomed to working alongside Māori entities with complex ownership structures and unique cultural, political, environmental and social drivers.
If you are an NZTE Focus customer, we can help you connect with in-market partners and distributors.
Tips for finding a distributor
Contact trade associations in your target market.
Connect with New Zealand business networking agencies, such as Kea, and business councils linked to regions or countries.
Find out who your mentors, competitors and other businesses work with, and seek recommendations. ExportNZ is a membership-based organisation that provides great networking opportunities and practical support programmes.
Attend in-market trade shows or find out online who participated. 10Times is the world's largest business event platform where you can search for what's coming up.
Look for contacts in your target market's online directories, such as local Yellow Pages equivalents.
If you're growing an international business from New Zealand and want to raise growth capital, you can learn more about this on myNZTE.
NZTE also manages the International Growth Fund, a contestable co-investment programme that supports high-impact international growth projects. Investment is limited, with priority given to initiatives that deliver clear benefits to New Zealand, such as job creation, increased domestic spending, and stronger shareholder returns. Only NZTE Focus customers may be invited to apply, and projects must go well beyond business as usual to be considered.
Other support
Callaghan Innovation R&D funding (transitioned to Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment)
To qualify for NZTE support, you need to be a New Zealand business or Māori entity with a New Zealand Business Number.
Ideally, you will already be generating sales in New Zealand or overseas, and exporting or planning to in the next 12–18 months.
If this sounds like you, the next step is to sign up to become an NZTE customer.
It doesn't cost anything to be an NZTE customer. We do offer some resources and programmes that require co-payment, but these are optional.
Although we don't charge anything, we call the businesses we work with 'customers' to reflect our focus on adding value.
We recommend you seek professional advice when navigating the legal and tax obligations in international markets.
NZTE's market guides can help you understand some of the basic tax and legal considerations involved in entering a new market.
If you are an NZTE Focus customer, your customer manager can work with our international teams to identify trusted local service providers.
All customers can also browse our International Service Provider Directory (NZTE customer login required).
NZTE's International teams are actively involved in contributing market knowledge and insights on myNZTE. It's free to register and you can explore market guides, market research reports and other information relevant to exporters.
If you're an NZTE Focus customer, please contact your customer manager about accessing our international teams.
The New Zealand Customs Service has detailed information and advice on how to get clearance to export, as well as the fees, costs and documentation required, and rules of origin.
Our market guides on myNZTE cover other countries' importing rules and which overseas customs authorities you might need to engage with.
For an explanation of Incoterms®, the international rules that govern who’s responsible for the costs, risks, insurance and regulatory compliance of cargo, consult the International Commercial Terms Guru or DHL's basic overview of Incoterms (PDF, 1.18 MB).
Use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Tariff Finder to find and compare tariffs in export markets.
MFAT also provides extensive information about New Zealand's free trade agreements and benefits
US tariffs
Other FAQs
Immigration New Zealand is the government agency that looks after New Zealand's immigration rules and laws, including work visas.
NZTE works with New Zealand businesses wanting to grow internationally, rather than overseas suppliers wanting to sell their products in New Zealand. For support with exporting your products or services to New Zealand, we suggest you contact:
Your country's national trade promotion agency
The New Zealand Customs Service is responsible for clearing commercial items for sale or use in New Zealand. Its contact centre can answer questions about importing issues.
Importing food
New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries governs New Zealand's food standards and food import and export.
NZTE doesn't provide a business matching service, but if you're looking for a particular New Zealand product, these industry bodies are a good place to start.
Dairy and honey
Meat and seafood
Wine
Natural products (including skincare)
Forestry products
Online directories – NZ companies
Chambers of Commerce
New Zealand's Chambers of Commerce know about the local business environment and companies in their region.
New Zealand is the easiest place in the world to start a business according to the World Bank, which estimates the process will take half a day.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has tools and advice for starting a business in New Zealand.
Business Mentors New Zealand offers 12 months of support from an experienced businessperson, for a one-off registration fee.
The Regional Business Partner Network offers advice to help your business grow, including 1:1 support.
Contact our Customer team
For more information about how we can help support your exporting goals, send us a message and one of our team will be in touch with you shortly.