Why am I being charged tax for orders going to Australia and New Zealand?

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We recommend that you consult a qualified legal professional for any legal advice or questions you may have.

If you’re sending orders to Australia or New Zealand, you’ll likely notice GST (Goods and Services Tax) added at checkout. This article explains when and why GST applies, how we calculate it, and how to submit your business registration to avoid these charges if you’re eligible.

How GST works for Australia and New Zealand orders

Both Australia and New Zealand require GST on goods sold by foreign online retailers:

Australia: 10% GST
New Zealand: 15% GST

These taxes apply to all goods valued under 1,000 AUD or 1,000 NZD.

Here’s how we calculate GST:

Australia (fulfilled outside of Australia):
(Retail price + shipping + services) × 10%
Australia (fulfilled within Australia):
(Printful price + shipping + services) × 10%
New Zealand:
(Retail price + shipping + services) × 15%

Note

“Services” include things like embroidery file digitization.

When GST won’t be charged

Your business is GST-registered

If your business is registered for GST in Australia or New Zealand, you can submit your registration details to us. Once approved, we won’t charge GST on your orders. Instead, you’ll collect and remit GST directly to the government.

Your marketplace already charges GST

Platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon already collect GST on orders going to Australia and New Zealand. GST only needs to be collected once, so if your marketplace charges it, we won’t.

How to submit your ABN or NZBN

If your business is registered for GST, you can avoid these charges by adding your tax information to the Printful Dashboard.

Go to your Printful Dashboard
Go to Billing → Tax information → AU and NZ GST
Click Add certificate
Enter your details, including your ABN (Australian Business Number) or NZBN (New Zealand Business Number), address, and confirmation of your GST registration
Click Submit.

We’ll review your certificate within about 2 business days and let you know if it’s approved.

Note

You’ll only be exempt from GST on orders placed after we approve your certificate.

If you have questions, get in touch through our contact form or chat with us. You can also visit the Australian Taxation Office or the New Zealand Inland Revenue websites for more information.