Why the New Zealand Business Number is essential for eInvoicing

NZBN and eInvoicing go hand in hand

Your buyer’s New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) is the unique identifier that ensures you send eInvoices to the right place.

Having your own NZBN and eInvoicing-ready software means you can participate in eInvoicing and enjoy the benefits of receiving eInvoices yourself. 

Unlike an email or postal address, a NZBN doesn’t change. This means you can be assured your eInvoice will reach your buyers and won’t get lost.

To receive eInvoices you’ll need to have an NZBN, and register to receive eInvoices through your eInvoicing-ready software provider. You may already have an NZBN but don’t realise it - check now by searching the NZBN directory.

Find my NZBN(external link) — New Zealand Business Number

Confirm your NZBN records are set to ‘Public’ before registering for eInvoicing

Before you register for eInvoicing, you need to ensure the following NZBN data fields are set to ‘Public’:

• Business entity name (legal business name and trading name)
• Entity type
• Registered or postal address, including postcode.

Having this data set to ‘Private’ means you can’t register for eInvoicing, and your suppliers can’t search for you in the NZBN directory. Consequently, you won’t be able to experience the benefits eInvoicing can bring to your business.

Log in to MyNZBN(external link) — New Zealand Business Number

Ways to find your customers’ NZBNs

Keeping a record of your buyers’ NZBNs is crucial when getting setup for eInvoicing. Along with other information you generally record for your buyers, you’ll need to have their NZBN in your accounting or invoicing system you’ll use to send eInvoices.

Here are some easy ways to get your buyers’ NZBNs:

1. You may have it already when you first setup their record
2. Ask next time you’re talking to them, or it might already be on purchase orders or remittance advices they’ve sent you
3. Search the NZBN directory. You can search by their business name. Top tip: search 5 to 10 customers a day to break it down to manageable chunks
4. If you’ve got lots of buyers, use the free NZBN business data match service.

NZBN services(external link) — New Zealand Business Number

Registering is easy if you’re using Xero or MYOB

Xero Business Edition and MYOB Business users can easily send and receive eInvoices now, and it’s free! Check out their websites on how to get started.

Register to receive via Xero(external link) — Xero Central

Send an eInvoice(external link) — Xero Central

eInvoicing(external link) — MYOB

Don’t use Xero or MYOB? A wide range of other software providers support eInvoicing. 

Getting set up for eInvoicing