Bought an Electrical Appliance from AliExpress, Temu or Overseas? Can You Use It in New Zealand?
Online shopping has made it easier than ever to purchase electrical appliances and equipment directly from overseas.
Websites such as AliExpress, Temu, Alibaba and other international marketplaces offer everything from kitchen appliances and lighting to power tools, battery chargers and electronic equipment.
But there's an important question that's easy to overlook:
Just because an electrical appliance plugs into a New Zealand power socket and works, does that mean it's suitable for use here?
Not necessarily.
New Zealand Has Its Own Electrical Requirements
New Zealand operates on a nominal 230-volt, 50 Hz electrical supply, and electrical equipment used here needs to be suitable for our electrical system.
Equipment designed for countries operating on different voltages or frequencies may not be suitable for use in New Zealand.
Even if an appliance is marked 220–240 V, that alone doesn't establish that the product meets the electrical safety requirements applicable in New Zealand.
This is particularly important for businesses purchasing equipment directly from overseas suppliers, where the purchaser may effectively be importing equipment that wasn't originally manufactured or supplied for the New Zealand market.
What About the Plug?
New Zealand uses the familiar flat-pin plug configuration covered by AS/NZS 3112.
Electrical equipment purchased overseas may arrive with European, American, British, Chinese or other plug configurations.
Sometimes the seller simply includes a travel adaptor so the appliance can be connected to a New Zealand socket.
But there's an important distinction:
A travel adaptor changes the physical connection. It does not make an overseas appliance compliant with New Zealand electrical safety requirements.
It also doesn't change the appliance's operating voltage, frequency or electrical construction.
Chinese ‘Upside-Down’ Plugs That Look Like New Zealand Plugs
One of the more confusing issues with electrical equipment purchased from China is the so-called “upside-down” Chinese plug.
At first glance, it can look very similar to an Australian/New Zealand plug — and it may fit perfectly into a New Zealand socket — but that doesn't necessarily mean it complies with New Zealand requirements.
Two common warning signs are:
The cord exits from the top of the plug when it is inserted into a New Zealand socket.
The active and neutral pins are not insulated.
Requirements for insulation on the active and neutral pins were introduced into AS/NZS 3112 in 2004 to reduce the risk of contact with live pins when a plug is partially inserted or withdrawn from a socket.
Older or overseas-manufactured plugs without this insulation can still physically fit a New Zealand socket, but that doesn't mean they meet the applicable requirements of AS/NZS 3112.
Just because the plug fits doesn't mean it complies.
Does the Appliance Have the Appropriate Electrical Safety Compliance?
The plug is only one part of the picture.
Depending on the type of electrical equipment and how it is being supplied, New Zealand electrical safety regulations may require particular evidence of compliance, approvals, certification or markings.
The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) is one marking commonly seen on electrical equipment supplied within Australia and New Zealand, although the exact compliance requirements depend on the type of product and how it enters the market.
This is why simply finding a CE mark or another overseas certification mark shouldn't automatically be taken as evidence that the product meets all requirements applicable in New Zealand.
Battery Chargers and Power Supplies Deserve Particular Attention
Battery chargers and plug-in power supplies are among the electrical products commonly purchased directly from overseas websites.
This includes chargers for power tools, electronic equipment, rechargeable batteries and other devices.
Before connecting one to the New Zealand electrical supply, check that its input voltage and frequency are suitable and consider whether the product has appropriate electrical safety documentation.
A cheap charger isn't much of a bargain if its electrical construction creates an electric shock, overheating or fire risk.
Can I Just Replace the Overseas Plug?
Replacing an overseas plug with a New Zealand plug doesn't automatically make the appliance compliant.
For some equipment, fitting an appropriate plug may be possible, but changing the plug doesn't alter the design or construction of the appliance itself.
There may be other electrical safety or product-compliance issues that cannot be determined simply by replacing the plug.
Importantly:
Passing an electrical safety test is not the same as establishing full product compliance.
What About Travel Adaptors?
A suitable travel adaptor can have a legitimate purpose for travellers temporarily using compatible equipment while visiting New Zealand.
That's quite different from purchasing an overseas appliance and using an adaptor as a permanent means of connecting it to the New Zealand electrical supply.
There are also important differences between legitimate travel adaptors and universal or all-in-one adaptors, including types that are prohibited in New Zealand.
You can read more about this in our article:
Imported Electrical Equipment in New Zealand Workplaces
Businesses are increasingly able to purchase electrical tools, machinery, chargers and equipment directly from overseas manufacturers and online marketplaces.
But equipment shouldn't automatically be placed into service simply because it arrives with something that fits a New Zealand socket.
Before introducing imported electrical equipment into a workplace, businesses should establish that the equipment is suitable for the New Zealand electrical supply and meets the electrical safety requirements applicable to that product.
This becomes particularly important where equipment will be used regularly by employees or connected to the electrical supply for extended periods.
There is another important distinction for workplace equipment:
Passing an AS/NZS 3760 electrical safety test does not automatically establish that an imported electrical product complies with New Zealand product safety requirements.
A Test & Tag inspection can assess relevant aspects of the electrical safety of equipment, but a pass label isn't a substitute for product approval, certification or other compliance requirements where these apply.
What Should You Check Before Buying?
Before purchasing mains-powered electrical equipment from AliExpress, Temu, Alibaba or another overseas supplier, consider:
Is it designed for 230 V, 50 Hz operation?
Is it supplied with an appropriate New Zealand/Australian-style plug?
Are the active and neutral plug pins appropriately insulated?
Does the cord exit from the plug in the correct direction?
Is there appropriate electrical safety and compliance information available?
Is the equipment actually intended for the New Zealand market?
Are appropriate operating and safety instructions supplied?
Has the product been subject to a safety recall?
If something doesn't look right, it's better to investigate it before plugging it in.
Can MegaTest Check Imported Electrical Equipment?
MegaTest can provide electrical safety inspection and testing of suitable electrical appliances and equipment.
However, it's important to distinguish electrical safety testing from product certification.
An electrical safety inspection can identify many defects and safety concerns, but it does not automatically establish that an imported product meets every New Zealand product approval or regulatory requirement.
Where equipment has questionable construction, unsuitable plugs, missing identification or unclear compliance information, further investigation may be required.
MegaTest – Appliance Electrical Testing
MegaTest, a division of NZ Test Group, provides appliance electrical testing and compliance solutions throughout Christchurch and Canterbury.
If you've purchased electrical equipment from overseas and aren't sure whether it is suitable for use in New Zealand, contact us to discuss the appropriate next step.
MegaTest | Appliance Electrical Testing
NZ Test Group – Verification • Compliance • Solutions
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