New Zealand businesses looking at overseas expansion have a lot to be excited about.
However, there are many important factors to explore before making the move. These include tariff and the broader tax implications that come from operating in overseas territories.
Below we explore some of the key considerations for business owners and leaders when building their business abroad.
Staying on top of tariffs
While New Zealand often feels relatively isolated, geopolitical issues can still have a significant impact on local businesses. This is highlighted in the May 2025 BDO Business Wellbeing Index, which shows that political factors are among the business performance issues that leaders feel least positive about.
This sentiment is likely exacerbated by tariff announcements from US President Donald Trump, which are having a major impact on the global trade landscape. As the US is New Zealand’s second-largest export market, these changes carry significant implications – but there are some actions business leaders can take to help mitigate them.
“There are immediate and long-term considerations when responding to these tariffs. Businesses need to look at their supply chains and whether there’s an opportunity to negotiate contracts with suppliers and customers. They should also perform detailed analysis and forecasts to understand how they may be impacted,” said Divya Pahwa, BDO National Retail Sector Leader.
Read more in the latest issue here
