Learn when New Zealand consumer laws apply to online purchases, when they may be harder to enforce, and what to consider before buying from New Zealand or overseas sellers.
Buying online gives you many of the same rights as buying in-store. However, your rights can vary depending on who you buy from and where the business is based.
In many cases, the same consumer laws apply as if you bought in person – including the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) and the Fair Trading Act (FTA).
When New Zealand consumer law applies
If you buy from a business trading in New Zealand, your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) apply.
Under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA), products must:
- be of acceptable quality
- match the description provided by the business
- be fit for purpose
- be delivered within a reasonable time – the seller is responsible for making sure your item arrives.
When this doesn’t happen, you have the right to request a refund, repair, or replacement.
The Fair Trading Act (FTA) also protects you from misleading or deceptive conduct.
When buying from overseas sellers
New Zealand consumer law applies to all businesses that offer goods and services to New Zealand consumers. However, it can be more difficult to enforce these laws against overseas sellers.
Your protection usually comes from:
- platform dispute systems
- your payment provider (for example, chargebacks).
If a problem arises, you may need to rely on these options to resolve it.
When your rights do not apply
Your rights under consumer law can vary depending on who you buy from and the circumstances of your purchase. You may not have the same protections if:
- you change your mind about a purchase
- you buy from a private seller (for example, an individual on Trade Me), as the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) and Fair Trading Act (FTA) generally do not apply.
This can make resolving issues more difficult if something goes wrong.
What to check before you buy
- Carefully read the full description of products sold online.
- Check that the size, materials, and instructions are suitable for how you plan to use the product.
- Read customer reviews to see what other people say about the product and the business.
- Check refund and return policies.
- Make sure delivery timeframes are acceptable for you.
Extra costs to check before you buy online
When buying online, especially from overseas, you may be charged:
- GST (often added at checkout)
- border processing levies (per parcel)
- currency conversion fees.
Before you buy, check the total cost, including delivery charges, fees, and any currency conversion costs. If the price is shown in another currency, make sure you understand how much you'll be charged in New Zealand dollars.
Learn more about online shopping and potential extra costs for overseas purchases:
Duty and GST(external link) – New Zealand Customs Service