# Sourcing from India and China for New Zealand brands > NZ duty on goods from India, China and Vietnam as of September 2026, the NZ–India FTA from 20 October 2026, product safety standards and electrical rules. Source: https://sourcesquid.co/markets/new-zealand/ Market guide · New Zealand # Sourcing from India and China for New Zealand brands. Most goods enter New Zealand duty-free already, and the gap is closing for India: the NZ–India FTA has been ratified by both countries and enters into force on 20 October 2026. Chinese goods use the NZ–China FTA, and Vietnamese goods use CPTPP, AANZFTA or RCEP. [Get a free teardown in 48 hours](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=market-nz) See the duty picture 20 Oct 2026 NZ–India FTA enters into force 5–10% tariffs on some textiles, footwear, plastics FOB basis for NZ customs value Duty snapshot · checked 28 September 2026 **Goods into New Zealand** * _IN_ India **MFN now · FTA from 20 Oct 2026** Enters into force soon * _CN_ China **NZ–China FTA preferences** In force * _VN_ Vietnam **CPTPP · AANZFTA · RCEP** In force Full duty picture and sources ↓ 1. Duty 2. Compliance 3. Shipping 4. India or China 5. How we help 6. Sources 7. FAQ The short answer ## What New Zealand buyers need to know. As of 28 September 2026. Checked against official sources. 1. 01 Most goods imported into New Zealand have **no tariff** ; rates of **5% or 10%** apply to some textiles, footwear, processed foods, machinery, steel and plastic products. 2. 02 The **NZ–India FTA** enters into force on **20 October 2026**. The Government of India reports duty-free access for all Indian exports; until then Indian goods pay NZ’s normal tariff. 3. 03 **China** uses the **NZ–China FTA** ; **Vietnam** uses **CPTPP** , **AANZFTA** or **RCEP**. Compliance centres on eight **mandatory product safety standards** and electrical supplier declarations. 1 · Duty picture ## What you pay at the border. As of 28 September 2026. Every rate depends on the product’s HS code, so treat this as the map and check your own codes before you order. ### How duty works in New Zealand * NZ customs value is calculated on an FOB basis: international freight and insurance are excluded. GST of 15% is charged at import. * Most goods are tariff-free. Where tariffs apply, they are typically 5% or 10%, on some textiles, footwear, processed foods, machinery, steel and plastic products. * Preferential rates need origin evidence under the relevant agreement. In flux · watch this * The NZ–India FTA is ratified but not yet applying. Shipments entered before 20 October 2026 pay the normal tariff; check NZ Customs guidance on origin documents before the first claim. IN From India ### FTA from 20 October 2026 * Enters into force soon The NZ–India FTA has been ratified by both countries and enters into force on 20 October 2026. The Government of India reports that 100% of Indian exports will get duty-free access. * In force Until 20 October 2026, Indian goods pay NZ’s normal tariff: zero for most goods, 5% or 10% for some textiles, footwear, plastics and machinery. CN From China ### NZ–China FTA * In force The NZ–China FTA gives preferential rates to Chinese-origin goods; RCEP is an alternative route. VN From Vietnam ### CPTPP · AANZFTA · RCEP * In force Three agreements cover Vietnamese goods; importers use the one whose rules of origin the product meets. ### Agreements and measures that apply * **NZ–India FTA** New Zealand and India Enters into force soonFrom 20 Oct 2026 Ratified by both countries. Duty-free access for Indian exports, according to the Government of India. * **NZ–China FTA** New Zealand and China In forceIn force Preferential rates for Chinese-origin goods. * **CPTPP, AANZFTA and RCEP** New Zealand, Vietnam and others In forceIn force Three preference routes for Vietnamese goods. Model it for your product: [Find the HS code](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/hs-code-finder/) [Compare landed cost](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/landed-cost/) 2 · Product compliance ## The rules your product has to meet. New Zealand’s product rules are few but strict, and non-compliant goods can be seized at the border. Safety ### Mandatory product safety standards Eight products have mandatory standards: baby walkers, bicycles, children’s nightwear, children’s toys (up to 36 months), cigarette and utility lighters, household cots, multipurpose ladders and sunscreen. Non-compliant goods are prohibited imports and can be seized. Electrical ### Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 Declared medium-risk electrical articles need a supplier declaration of conformity before sale, and high-risk articles need approval. Many products also carry the RCM shared with Australia. Labelling ### Consumer information standards Clothing and textiles need fibre content, care and country-of-origin labels under the Fair Trading Act consumer information standards. Packaging ### Wood packaging and biosecurity Timber packaging must meet biosecurity import rules; ask your supplier for ISPM 15-marked pallets and crates. 3 · Getting goods there ## Sea lanes, transit times and Incoterms. Indicative port-to-port planning ranges, not a carrier schedule. Transhipment, blank sailings and routing change them; confirm with the carrier at booking. * Ningbo / ShanghaiAuckland **18–28** days Direct or via Australia * Nhava Sheva / MundraAuckland **30–45** days Transhipped in South-East Asia * ChennaiAuckland / Tauranga **28–40** days Transhipped at Singapore or Port Klang ### Incoterms norms * FOB (named port) suits New Zealand because customs value is FOB; freight and insurance are outside the duty base. * FCA for LCL, which is common for smaller NZ orders; avoid EXW in India, where the Indian exporter must clear the goods for export. * Consolidating LCL through an Australian or Singapore hub can cut cost for small volumes; check the effect on transit time. [Pick a term with the Incoterms advisor](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/incoterms-advisor/) 4 · India or China ## Which country suits which product. For small NZ volumes, consolidation and minimum order quantities often matter more than duty. We plan both. IN ### Strong from India [About sourcing from India](https://sourcesquid.co/india/) * **Apparel and home textiles** Where NZ tariffs of 5% or 10% apply today, the FTA removes them from 20 October 2026. * **Metal parts and agricultural equipment components** Castings, forgings and fabrications from Indian engineering clusters. * **Décor, rugs and furniture** Handcrafted ranges from specialist clusters, with biosecurity-ready packaging. CN ### Strong from China [About sourcing from China](https://sourcesquid.co/china/) * **Electronics and electrical goods** Broad supplier base; supplier declarations and RCM evidence prepared before shipping. * **Household and hardware goods** Fast sampling and tooling for private label ranges. * **Toys and children’s products** Test to the mandatory standards before shipping; non-compliant goods are seized at the border. Running both? [Plan a China + 1 second source](https://sourcesquid.co/sourcing/china-plus-one/) 5 · How SourceSquid helps ## From duty map to landed container. Our teams in Bengaluru and Ningbo find, audit and inspect factories for New Zealand brands buying from India and China, and collect the evidence your market asks for. USD 390 · named factories ### [Supplier shortlist](https://sourcesquid.co/sourcing/) Named manufacturers in India and China, checked by calls, matched to New Zealand requirements. Free tool ### [Landed cost calculator](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/landed-cost/) Factory price, freight, duty and taxes side by side, so you compare lanes, not quotes. Free tool ### [HS code finder](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/hs-code-finder/) Find the likely HS code first; every duty rate on this page depends on it. USD 490 per supplier ### [FTA duty-saver audit](https://sourcesquid.co/services/fta-duty-saver/) Rules of origin checked at the factory, up to 5 HS lines, so your zero-duty claim is defensible. From USD 229 per person-day ### [Inspections and audits](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/book-an-inspection/) In-line, pre-shipment and loading inspections by our own team in India and China. Compliance ### [Test advisor](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/test-advisor/) The New Zealand rules above turned into a supplier evidence list, collected at the factory. Sources ## Where these facts come from Checked on 28 September 2026 and refreshed monthly. Official government, customs and EU sources first; commentary is named as such. This page explains the rules in plain English. For a view on your own products, ask our team or your customs broker. 1. [MFAT: New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement (ratified; entry into force 20 October 2026)](https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/free-trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements-concluded-but-not-in-force/new-zealand-india-free-trade-agreement) 2. [IBEF: 100% of Indian exports to get duty-free access from 20 October 2026](https://www.ibef.org/news/india-new-zealand-fta-finalised-100-of-indian-exports-to-get-duty-free-access-from-october-20-2026) 3. [MBIE: tariffs in New Zealand](https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/business/trade-and-tariffs/tariffs-in-new-zealand) 4. [NZ Customs: customs import value](https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/import/valuation-for-import/customs-import-value) 5. [Product Safety NZ: mandatory product safety standards](https://www.productsafety.govt.nz/for-businesses/making-sure-products-are-safe/mandatory-product-safety-standards) 6. [WorkSafe: supplier declaration of conformity (electrical)](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/electricity/appliances-and-fittings/high-and-medium-risk-products/medium-risk-product-list/supplier-declaration-of-conformity/) 7. [Commerce Commission: product safety standards](https://www.comcom.govt.nz/business/your-obligations-as-a-business/product-safety-standards/) New Zealand buyer questions ## Straight answers. Checked on 28 September 2026. We update this guide when duties or rules move. [anirudh@sourcesquid.co](mailto:anirudh@sourcesquid.co) ### When does the New Zealand–India FTA start? On 20 October 2026. New Zealand and India have both ratified the agreement. The Government of India reports that all Indian exports will get duty-free access to New Zealand from that date, subject to the agreement’s rules of origin. ### What duty do goods from India pay in New Zealand now? Until 20 October 2026, New Zealand’s normal tariff applies. Most goods have no tariff; rates of 5% or 10% apply to some textiles, footwear, processed foods, machinery, steel and plastic products. GST of 15% applies at import. ### Which products have mandatory safety standards in New Zealand? Baby walkers, bicycles, children’s nightwear, children’s toys up to 36 months, cigarette and utility lighters, household cots, multipurpose ladders and sunscreen. Goods that do not comply are prohibited imports and can be seized by NZ Customs. ### Is NZ customs duty calculated on FOB? Yes. New Zealand calculates customs value on an FOB basis, so international freight and insurance are excluded from the duty base. ### How long does shipping take from China to Auckland? As a planning range, about 18 to 28 days from Ningbo or Shanghai, depending on whether the service is direct or calls in Australia first. From India, allow about 30 to 45 days with transhipment. Other market guides ## Selling in more than one market? [AU · Oceania**Australia** Since 1 January 2026, every Australian tariff line is duty-free for Indian goods under ECTA.](https://sourcesquid.co/markets/australia/)[UK · Europe**United Kingdom** India–UK CETA has been in force since 15 July 2026: zero duty on about 99% of tariff lines for Indian goods.](https://sourcesquid.co/markets/united-kingdom/)[CA · North America**Canada** India and China pay MFN; Vietnam has CPTPP. Steel faces quotas and surtaxes, and India–Canada CEPA talks aim to close by end-2026.](https://sourcesquid.co/markets/canada/) Start here ## Your New Zealand landed cost, in 48 hours. Send one drawing, photo or quote. We return the process chain, the right clusters in India and China, and a landed-cost comparison for your market. [Get a free teardown](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=market-nz)[Talk to a principal](https://sourcesquid.co/contact/)