New Zealand · NZBN / IRD / GST
New Zealand NZBN Checker
Look up a New Zealand Business Number in the official register, or check an IRD (GST) number’s format and check digit.
What is an NZBN?
The NZBN (New Zealand Business Number) is a 13-digit identifier that every New Zealand business can hold, issued by the NZBN Registrar under the New Zealand Business Number Act 2016. It starts with 94 and ends in a GS1 check digit — for example 9429041926024 for Inland Revenue. It is not a tax number: GST is reported under the IRD number.
NZBN format
A GS1 Global Location Number — 13 digits.
prefix
digit
Example: 9429041926024 (Inland Revenue, as printed on its own “invoicing us” page).
- Check digit: GS1 modulus 10, the same check used on barcodes.
- IRD / GST number: 8 or 9 digits (e.g. 049-091-850) with a mod-11 check digit published by Inland Revenue, between 10,000,000 and 200,000,000.
- No prefix: There is no “NZ” prefix on any of these numbers.
- What we check: An NZBN is looked up in the official register (name, address and status). An IRD/GST number gets a check-digit test only, because Inland Revenue offers no public lookup.
How to check an NZBN
- 1 Ask the supplier for its NZBN, or find it on its invoices or eInvoicing details.
- 2 Enter the 13 digits above. The checker tests the check digit and looks the number up in the official register.
- 3 Compare the returned name and status with the supplier’s details.
- 4 For more ways to verify a New Zealand business, see our NZBN verification guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an NZBN look like?
Thirteen digits, starting with 94, with no letters or separators — for example 9429041926024 for Inland Revenue. Every NZBN is a GS1 Global Location Number, so the last digit is a GS1 check digit.
Is the NZBN the same as a GST or IRD number?
No. The NZBN is a public business identifier. A GST number is the same as the business’s IRD number: 8 or 9 digits, issued by Inland Revenue. Inland Revenue has no public lookup for it; some companies choose to show their GST number on the NZBN register. See our New Zealand IRD number guide.
What is the difference between an NZBN and a company number?
Only companies have a company number (Air New Zealand’s is 104799). Any business can have an NZBN (Air New Zealand’s is 9429040402543), including sole traders, partnerships and trusts.
Who gets an NZBN?
Companies and other entities registered with the Companies Office, and public sector bodies, were allocated one automatically. Sole traders, partnerships, trusts and unincorporated charities can apply for one; it is voluntary for them.
Do I have to put an NZBN on invoices?
No. For supplies over $200 the seller must show its GST number. For supplies over $1,000 to a GST-registered buyer, the buyer’s NZBN is one of several identifiers that can be used. The NZBN is the identifier used to route eInvoices.
Can I check a charity registration number (CC…)?
Yes. Enter the number, for example CC21860 for New Zealand Red Cross, and this checker looks it up in the official register. Incorporated charities also have an NZBN.
Last reviewed: , against official sources.
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