If your business uses petrol off-road – in farming, construction, landscaping, or other machinery – then you could be entitled to a fuel excise duty refund of up to 76c per litre + GST. But most business owners don’t know how to claim it, or assume their accountant already has.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through exactly how to claim your petrol refund in New Zealand and how PRC (Petrol Refund Claims) can help make the process quick, simple, and cost-effective.
What is Petrol Excise Duty?
Petrol sold in NZ includes a government-imposed tax called excise duty, used to fund the road network.
- If you’re using fuel off the public road, such as in:
- Farm vehicles or generators
- Construction site machinery
- Lawn and garden equipment
- Boats or chainsaws
…you’re not using the roads – so you may be eligible for a refund.
Excise duty is currently 76 cents per litre + GST and applies to all petrol sold. It’s designed to maintain public roads — but if you’re not using those roads, why pay the tax?
How Much Can You Claim?
As of June 2025, the current excise rate is 76 cents per litre + GST.
You can:
- Claim up to two years of past use
- Claim ongoing refunds quarterly
- Even claim for small amounts (e.g., 10–20L per week)
Even small refunds add up fast. For example, 1,000 litres over a year = $760 + GST in potential refunds.
How to Claim Your Petrol Refund – The 3-Step Process
✅ Step 1: Register for Free
Visit our Sign Up page and enter your basic info:
- Name
- Phone number
- Select Subject whether you’re a new Registration or Transfer from another provider
✅ Step 2: Submit Your Documents
Once registered, your dedicated Account Manager will guide you through sending:
- Proof of GST registration
- Signed declaration forms
- A deposit slip for your refund
- A list of off-road machinery you use
- Fuel receipts or invoices (we can help collect these from suppliers)
This only needs to be done once. After that, we handle ongoing submissions.
✅ Step 3: Get Paid & Repeat Quarterly
PRC submits your claim to NZTA directly. Once approved:
- Your refund is deposited into your bank account
- We deduct a flat 15% + GST service fee (minimum $50 + GST per quarter)
- You continue to get refunds every quarter without lifting a finger
We do all the work — so you can focus on running your business.
Why Use PRC?
- ✅ No upfront fees
- ✅ No refund? No fee.
- ✅ Lowest commission in NZ
- ✅ Hands-free paperwork
- ✅ Ongoing quarterly claims
We specialise in one thing only: helping Kiwi businesses get their petrol excise refunds quickly and correctly.
Ready to Claim?
If you think you qualify, don’t wait.
Every litre of petrol could mean dollars back in your business — and PRC makes claiming it simple.
