An online marketplace is an electronic platform, like a website, app or internet portal, that sellers use to market and sell their goods and services. If customers buy low value goods from sellers through your website, you operate an online marketplace.
Operators of non-electronic marketplaces can apply to register and return GST on behalf of underlying sellers. Apply by emailing us.
What an online marketplace is not
You are not operating an online marketplace if you only:
- provide a carriage service (such as those operated by internet service providers and telecommunication companies)
- provide access to a payment system or processing payments
- provide advertising that makes customers aware of products and links them to a seller's website.
Some online marketplaces may provide a service of selling ‘face value’ vouchers (such as a gift voucher that can be used for a choice of items up to a particular value). However, an electronic communication service provider will not be considered to operate an online marketplace just because it sells face value vouchers.
When an online marketplace is responsible for GST
You will generally be responsible for GST on a sale made by a seller through your marketplace if:
- you are registered or required to be registered for GST
- it is a sale of low value goods by a non-resident seller to a consumer in New Zealand
- either you or the seller help get the goods to New Zealand.
If you do not do any of these, you need an agreement between you and the seller that the seller is responsible for the GST. The documentation with the consignment must identify the seller as the supplier and not you.
If neither of these requirements are met, you will be responsible for returning GST on supplies made by the seller through your marketplace.
Accounting for your GST
You will need to count these sales, plus any other sales you make that GST applies to towards your GST turnover. If your turnover meets the NZ$60,000 threshold in a 12-month period, you will need to register and return GST on these sales.
Broadly, your GST turnover is your gross consumer sales revenue that GST applies to from supplies made in your business to consumers in New Zealand. Once you register, you will need to work with your underlying sellers to make sure certain information is given to customers and included on customs documents.
The seller is not responsible for any GST payable on the sale.
Tide operates an online marketplace that allows consumers to buy goods from sellers.
Tide is registered for GST in New Zealand, as they meet the NZ$60,000 threshold. They determine that they are responsible for GST on the sales of low-value goods made to consumers through their website.
Ellie uses Tide's website to buy a tablet device from All Co, a seller in China, for NZ$805 including GST. All Co arranges for the tablet device to be shipped to New Zealand.
Tide is treated as the supplier for GST purposes. They return GST of NZ$105 on the sale to Inland Revenue in their GST return.
As Tide is treated as the supplier for GST purposes, All Co does not:
- return GST to Inland Revenue on the sale
- count the sale when determining if they are required to register.