Bill of Sale — Equipment (New Zealand)
BILL OF SALE — EQUIPMENT (NEW ZEALAND)
This Bill of Sale (the “Agreement”) is made on [Sale Date] by and between:
[Seller Name], [Seller Type], NZBN: [Seller NZBN], of [Seller Address], [Seller City], [Seller Region] [Seller Postcode], New Zealand (the “Seller”); and
[Buyer Name], [Buyer Type], NZBN: [Buyer NZBN], of [Buyer Address], [Buyer City], [Buyer Region] [Buyer Postcode], New Zealand (the “Buyer”).
The Seller wishes to sell the Equipment (as defined below) to the Buyer, and the Buyer wishes to purchase the Equipment from the Seller, on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.
IN CONSIDERATION of the payment of the Purchase Price by the Buyer to the Seller, and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties agree as follows:
1. DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT
1.1 The Seller agrees to sell and transfer to the Buyer, and the Buyer agrees to purchase from the Seller, the following equipment (the “Equipment”):
- Type: [Equipment Type]
- Manufacturer / Make: [Equipment Make]
- Model: [Equipment Model]
- Year of Manufacture: [Equipment Year]
- Serial Number / PIN: [Serial Number]
- Quantity: [Quantity]
- Operating Hours / Odometer: [Operating Hours]
- Additional Description / Accessories Included: [Equipment Additional Description]
1.2 The Equipment is sold in the following condition: [Equipment Condition].
2. PURCHASE PRICE AND GST
2.1 The total purchase price for the Equipment is NZD $[Purchase Price] (the “Purchase Price”), which is [Gst Treatment].
2.2 Where the supply of the Equipment is a taxable supply under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 and the price is stated exclusive of GST, the Buyer must pay to the Seller, in addition to the Purchase Price, an amount equal to 15% of the Purchase Price, subject to receipt of a valid tax invoice from the Seller.
2.3 The Buyer shall pay the Purchase Price [Payment Method].
2.4 Time is of the essence in respect of payment of the Purchase Price.
3. TRANSFER OF TITLE AND RISK
3.1 Title to and ownership of the Equipment shall pass from the Seller to the Buyer upon payment of the full Purchase Price and delivery of the Equipment to the Buyer, in accordance with Part 1 (Sale of Goods) of the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 (CCLA).
3.2 Risk of loss, damage, or destruction to the Equipment shall pass to the Buyer at the same time as title passes under clause 3.1.
3.3 From the date risk passes, the Buyer bears all risk of loss or damage to the Equipment and is responsible for maintaining appropriate insurance and ensuring the Equipment is operated safely in compliance with all applicable New Zealand health and safety laws, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
4. DELIVERY
4.1 Delivery of the Equipment shall be by: [Delivery Method].
4.2 Until the Equipment is delivered to the Buyer or collected by the Buyer, the Seller shall take reasonable care of the Equipment and shall not encumber, modify, or transfer the Equipment to any third party.
5. SELLER’S WARRANTIES AND TITLE
5.1 The Seller warrants that:
- the Seller has full legal right, title, and authority to sell the Equipment in accordance with section 15 (implied condition as to title) of Part 1 of the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 (CCLA);
- the Equipment is free from any mortgage, charge, lien, encumbrance, or registered security interest on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) maintained under the Personal Property Securities Act 1999 (PPSA), except as disclosed in writing to the Buyer;
- the serial number of the Equipment stated in clause 1.1 is, to the best of the Seller’s knowledge, accurate;
- the operating hours or odometer reading stated in clause 1.1 is, to the best of the Seller’s knowledge, accurate as at the date of this Agreement; and
- there are no actions, claims, or proceedings threatened or pending in respect of the Equipment.
5.2 Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. The Seller acknowledges that, where the Equipment is supplied in trade to a consumer, the Buyer may be entitled to statutory guarantees under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA), including guarantees of acceptable quality (section 7) and fitness for a particular purpose (section 8). Nothing in this Agreement limits, excludes, or modifies any rights or guarantees the Buyer may have under the CGA that cannot lawfully be excluded.
5.3 Where the Buyer acquires the Equipment for business purposes and both parties are in trade, the parties may agree to contract out of the CGA guarantees in accordance with section 43 of the CGA.
6. PERSONAL PROPERTY SECURITIES REGISTER (PPSR)
6.1 The Seller warrants that there are no security interests registered on the PPSR in respect of the Equipment as at the date of this Agreement, except as disclosed in writing to the Buyer.
6.2 The Buyer is strongly encouraged to conduct a PPSR search at ppsr.govt.nz using the Equipment’s serial number before completing the purchase to verify that the Equipment is free from any registered security interests. A failure to search the PPSR may result in the Buyer taking the Equipment subject to an undisclosed security interest under which a secured creditor may be entitled to repossess the Equipment under the Personal Property Securities Act 1999.
7. HEALTH AND SAFETY
7.1 The Buyer acknowledges that the Equipment must be operated and maintained in accordance with all applicable New Zealand health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and any relevant WorkSafe New Zealand guidelines, codes of practice, and regulations.
7.2 Where required by applicable law, the Buyer is responsible for ensuring that the Equipment is inspected, certified, and registered for use in New Zealand before operation, and that all operators are appropriately trained and (where required by law) licensed to operate the Equipment.
8. GENERAL PROVISIONS
8.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the sale of the Equipment and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, and agreements (whether written or oral).
8.2 Amendments. This Agreement may only be varied by a written document signed by both parties.
8.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is void, voidable, or unenforceable, that provision shall be severed and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
8.4 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by the laws of New Zealand, including the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 and (where applicable) the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. The parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New Zealand.
8.5 Dispute Resolution. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall first be submitted to mediation in good faith before either party commences court proceedings.
EXECUTED as an agreement on the date first written above.
SELLER
Full name: [Seller Name]
Address: [Seller Address], [Seller City], [Seller Region] [Seller Postcode]
NZBN: [Seller NZBN]
BUYER
Full name: [Buyer Name]
Address: [Buyer Address], [Buyer City], [Buyer Region] [Buyer Postcode]
NZBN: [Buyer NZBN]
Seller
________________
Signature
Buyer
________________
Signature
What Is a Bill of Sale — Equipment (New Zealand)?
A Bill of Sale — Equipment in New Zealand transfers ownership of the goods from seller to buyer, records the price and any warranties, and provides the buyer with proof of title under the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017.
Equipment sales are a common and significant transaction in New Zealand’s commercial economy. Construction equipment (excavators, bulldozers, cranes, and compactors), agricultural equipment (tractors, harvesters, spray units, and irrigation systems), manufacturing plant (lathes, CNC machines, and pressing equipment), IT and office equipment, catering and hospitality equipment, marine equipment, and workshop tools are regularly bought and sold between businesses, individuals, and dealers. A Bill of Sale provides essential documentary evidence of the transaction, supports the issue of GST tax invoices, records PPSR warranties and disclosures, and establishes clear terms for the transfer of title and risk.
The legal framework for equipment sales in New Zealand includes several key statutes. The Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 (CCLA) governs the sale of goods (including equipment) and sets out the rules for the transfer of title and risk and the implied conditions applicable to the sale. The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA) provides statutory guarantees for goods supplied in trade to consumers, but section 43 of the CGA permits the parties to agree in writing to contract out of those guarantees in business-to-business transactions. The Personal Property Securities Act 1999 (PPSA) governs registered security interests in personal property, and a PPSR search is essential before any significant equipment purchase. The Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 determines whether GST of 15% applies to the sale. The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) imposes obligations on the Buyer to confirm the equipment is operated safely in compliance with New Zealand health and safety law.
For high-value equipment purchases, the serial number (or PIN) is the primary identifier for PPSR searches and asset tracking. A Bill of Sale that accurately records the serial number provides a clear chain of title and protects the Buyer against undisclosed security interests.
When Do You Need a Bill of Sale — Equipment (New Zealand)?
A New Zealand Equipment Bill of Sale is needed whenever equipment is sold and the parties want a clear written record of the transaction and the transfer of ownership. A written Bill of Sale is particularly important in the following situations.
Business-to-business equipment sales. When a business sells surplus, end-of-life, or traded-in equipment to another business, a Bill of Sale records the transaction, supports the issue of a GST tax invoice under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985, and provides a written record of the agreed terms including the serial number, operating hours, condition, and any accessories included.
Construction and plant equipment. For high-value construction plant and equipment (excavators, cranes, bulldozers, compactors), a Bill of Sale is essential to record the serial number for PPSR verification, the operating hours, the condition, and the delivery terms.
Agricultural equipment. In New Zealand’s significant agricultural sector, tractors, harvesters, spray units, and irrigation equipment change hands regularly. A Bill of Sale provides a written record of the transaction for both GST and general business record-keeping purposes.
Equipment dealer sales. When an equipment dealer sells equipment to a business or individual, a Bill of Sale records the transaction and supports the application of CGA statutory guarantees to consumer purchasers, or the section 43 opt-out for business purchasers.
PPSR discharge and clean title transfers. Where equipment has been financed, a Bill of Sale that records the PPSR warranty confirms for the Buyer that the Seller has warranted the equipment is free from encumbrances, creating a basis for recourse if an undisclosed security interest emerges after the sale.
Health and safety documentation. For plant and equipment subject to health and safety obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, a Bill of Sale records the transfer of ownership and establishes that the Buyer (as the new duty-holder) has taken on responsibility for confirming the equipment is operated safely.
What to Include in Your Bill of Sale — Equipment (New Zealand)
A well-drafted New Zealand Equipment Bill of Sale should address several key elements to be legally effective and protect both parties.
Precise identification of the equipment. The equipment should be identified by type, manufacturer, model, year of manufacture, serial number or PIN, and quantity. Operating hours or odometer readings should be recorded for machinery and vehicles. A precise description prevents disputes about which equipment was sold and is essential for PPSR searches.
Accessories and inclusions. All attachments, accessories, manuals, service records, and other items included in the sale should be itemised. A vague reference to included accessories can lead to disputes.
Condition disclosure. The condition of the equipment (new, used, fair condition with disclosed defects, or as-is) should be specified. The Seller should disclose all known defects to protect against misrepresentation claims under Part 8 of the CCLA 2017.
Purchase price and GST. The price must be stated in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) with a clear GST treatment under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985: GST-inclusive (15% included in the stated price), GST-exclusive (15% payable in addition), GST-exempt (private sale), or zero-rated (e.g. going concern).
Delivery terms. The parties should agree on whether the Buyer collects or the Seller delivers, who pays freight costs, and the timeframe for collection or delivery.
Title and risk transfer. Title and risk should pass upon payment in full and delivery, consistent with Part 1 of the CCLA 2017. The Seller should maintain the equipment in its current condition until delivery.
PPSR warranty and search. The Seller should warrant that the equipment is free from PPSR encumbrances, and the Buyer should conduct an independent PPSR search at ppsr.govt.nz before completing the purchase.
CGA compliance. For consumer sales, the CGA statutory guarantees apply. For business-to-business sales, a written section 43 opt-out should be included if the parties wish to exclude CGA guarantees.
Health and safety acknowledgment. The Buyer should acknowledge responsibility for operating the equipment safely in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Governing law. The Agreement should state that it is governed by the laws of New Zealand, including the CCLA 2017, the CGA 1993, and the PPSA 1999. The forms-legal.com Bill of Sale — Equipment (New Zealand) provides a ready-to-use template that meets New Zealand legal requirements.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Bill of Sale — Equipment (New Zealand) (New Zealand) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/new-zealand/personal/bills-of-sale/bill-of-sale-equipment-new-zealand
"Bill of Sale — Equipment (New Zealand) (New Zealand)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/new-zealand/personal/bills-of-sale/bill-of-sale-equipment-new-zealand.
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author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Bill of Sale — Equipment (New Zealand) (New Zealand)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/new-zealand/personal/bills-of-sale/bill-of-sale-equipment-new-zealand}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
A New Zealand equipment Bill of Sale should include the full legal names, addresses, and NZBNs (New Zealand Business Numbers) of both the Seller and the Buyer; a precise description of the equipment including the type, manufacturer or make, model, year of manufacture, serial number or PIN (Product Identification Number), quantity, and operating hours or odometer reading (for machinery and vehicles); a list of all attachments, accessories, manuals, and other items included in the sale; the purchase price in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) with the GST treatment clearly stated; the payment method and timing; the delivery or collection terms; the condition of the equipment and any known defects; the terms for the transfer of title and risk under Part 1 of the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 (CCLA); the Seller’s warranty as to title and freedom from PPSR encumbrances under the Personal Property Securities Act 1999; and any express warranty provided by the Seller. The serial number is particularly important as it is the primary identifier for PPSR searches and asset tracking purposes.
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA) applies to goods (including equipment) supplied in trade to consumers in New Zealand. A consumer is a person who acquires goods for personal, domestic, or household use, or for use in a small business. Where a business sells equipment to an individual consumer not acquiring it for business purposes, the CGA statutory guarantees of acceptable quality (section 7), fitness for a particular purpose (section 8), and correspondence with description (section 9) apply and cannot be excluded. However, section 43 of the CGA provides that where goods are supplied and acquired in trade and the Buyer is acquiring the goods for a business purpose, the parties may agree in writing to contract out of the CGA guarantees. This business-to-business opt-out is available for equipment sales where both parties are in trade. For the opt-out to be effective, the agreement must be in writing, both parties must be in trade, and the Buyer must be acquiring the equipment for a business purpose. The as-is Bill of Sale and the equipment Bill of Sale both include provisions for the CGA section 43 opt-out in appropriate business-to-business transactions.
GST of 15% is payable on the sale of equipment by a GST-registered person in the course of a taxable activity under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985. A GST-registered business (such as an equipment dealer, construction company, or manufacturer) selling equipment in the course of its taxable activity must charge GST of 15% on the supply and issue a valid tax invoice to the Buyer. Where both the Seller and Buyer are GST-registered and the Buyer is acquiring the equipment for a taxable purpose, the Buyer can claim an input tax credit for the GST paid. A private individual who is not GST-registered and is selling personally owned equipment does not charge GST. Where equipment is sold as part of the sale of a business as a going concern and the conditions of section 11(1)(mb) of the GST Act are satisfied, the supply may be zero-rated for GST. The equipment Bill of Sale should clearly state whether the purchase price is GST-inclusive, GST-exclusive, GST-exempt, or zero-rated.
Searching the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) before purchasing equipment is strongly recommended and is standard practice in New Zealand commercial equipment transactions. The PPSR records security interests in personal property (including equipment) that have been registered by secured creditors such as banks, finance companies, and equipment financiers. If a security interest is registered over the equipment and the Seller has not discharged it before the sale, the secured creditor may be entitled to repossess the equipment from the Buyer after the sale, under the Personal Property Securities Act 1999, even if the Buyer had no knowledge of the security interest and paid full value. A PPSR search should be conducted using the equipment’s serial number at ppsr.govt.nz. The cost is minimal and provides significant protection. The equipment Bill of Sale records the Seller’s warranty that the equipment is free from PPSR encumbrances and encourages the Buyer to conduct an independent PPSR search before completing the purchase.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) imposes obligations on persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) in New Zealand to manage risks to workers and other persons arising from plant and equipment. When a business purchases equipment, the Buyer (as a PCBU) takes on responsibility for ensuring the equipment is operated safely in accordance with the HSWA and any applicable WorkSafe New Zealand codes of practice, guidelines, and regulations. This includes conducting a pre-operation risk assessment, ensuring all operators are trained and (where required by law) licensed to operate the equipment, maintaining the equipment in a safe condition, and complying with any registration, inspection, or certification requirements. For high-risk plant and equipment (such as pressure vessels, cranes, scaffolding, and forklifts), specific requirements may apply under the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 and the Health and Safety at Work (Major Hazard Facilities) Regulations 2016. The equipment Bill of Sale records the Buyer’s acknowledgment of these health and safety obligations.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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