How to start selling online in New Zealand

Hello to everyone. Im from NZ & Im going to start up a drop shipping online store.
Im wanting to start slow & steady & build up over time, but I also need to be careful of fees etc as Im on a limited budget.

Due to the exchange rates & fees I would love some advice on:

1/ NZ Bank Accounts – whats the best way to get $s to me & what bank do you or don’t you recommend as we are dealing with exchange rates & some NZ banks would bankrupt me within 2 months with all their fees

2/ do we pay/charge GST on items? – any easy to read links would be appreciated that apply to online stores selling internationally, or even a NZer bookkeeper on international rules (that doesnt break the bank)

3/ whether its cheaper & easier to start off that I use 1 company to do all, name, host & run store – I know its not ideal but Im on a limited budget & there are exchange rates & fees etc to consider & I would love any recommendations that you are happy with


Any information on dos & donts would be very much appreciated as I would like to make money for me not the banks.

Thanking you : )


PS, sorry I cant change my profile picture

Hi Chrissy,

Welcome i am also from New Zealand i would not worry so much about having a new zealand bank account as most supplier accept paypal as a payment so you would not need to worry about opening a bank

2. Gst as far as i know you only pay gst once you are earning a minimum of $5k a month in sales i dont do any book-keeping myself but i have been told godaddy bookkeeping is good source for keeping on top of taxs

3 if you want to setup a store that can be done however you can easilly setup an ebay account for selling items on ebay having an ebay store is not really worth it for the first couple of sales.

As far as getting paid you will want to look at a payonner mastercard and virtual us bank account to transfer funds from your paypal accounts into your us bank account which you will be able to get cash out from the payonner mastercard

if your needing help feel free to msg me and i can assist you further..

I think William has covered all those points for you Chrissy, all I can really add to that is that I completely agree with his assessment.

Welcome to the forum BTW, nice to have you with us :)