"Hong Kong has no sales tax, so the iPhone must be cheaper." Every launch season, friends in New Zealand ask us exactly that.
The answer: not necessarily. It depends on why you are buying it.
10–12% cheaper, but over NZ$1,000 you pay GST
iPhones really are 10–12% cheaper in Hong Kong. But New Zealand Customs charges 15% GST on goods valued over NZ$1,000, and the recipient needs a Customs Number.
Flagship models cost well over NZ$2,000; add GST and clearance fees and the gap mostly disappears. If price is the only reason, it is rarely worth it. We would rather tell you now than have you find out from a tax bill.
Two kinds of buyer still do well
| ① You need two physical SIM cards | Living in New Zealand but still need your mainland or Hong Kong number for bank codes, WeChat or work? The Hong Kong iPhone 17 range keeps two physical SIM slots. The New Zealand model does not — you are buying a feature, not a discount |
|---|---|
| ② AirPods, Apple Watch, accessories | Under NZ$1,000 the saving survives. But if several items arrive together, Customs adds them up, and crossing the line means tax. We work out how to split or combine (see consolidation maths) |
You are in New Zealand, we are in Hong Kong
- We buy: tell us the model, colour and storage and we buy it in Hong Kong
- We receive: or order online yourself and send it to our warehouse under "your name + member number"
- We ship: phones, earbuds and watches contain batteries and not every forwarder takes them — we do, 2–4 working days door to door on priority service
- We check the tax: we confirm the declared value with you before it ships, so there are no surprises
Not sure yet? Just ask
Tell us what you want to buy and we will tell you whether it is worth it and roughly what it costs landed. If it is not worth it, we will say so.
WhatsApp us Hong Kong to NZ live quoteFrequently asked questions
Does a Hong Kong iPhone work in New Zealand?
Yes. The iPhone 17 range supports New Zealand networks, and the Hong Kong model adds a second physical SIM slot.
Do I pay tax shipping an iPhone to New Zealand?
Goods valued over NZ$1,000 attract 15% GST and the recipient needs a Customs Number. At NZ$1,000 or less, nothing is usually payable at the border.
Can you buy it for me in Hong Kong?
Yes. Tell us the model and we buy, check and ship it.
New Zealand Customs value rules: customs.govt.nz. Apple, iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch are trademarks of Apple Inc.; Forever Gain is not affiliated with Apple.