What is the Tyrewise fee, and can a shop charge for disposal too?
The Tyrewise fee is a regulated tyre stewardship fee charged on new tyres to pay for collecting and recycling them at the end of their life. It's $6.65 plus GST for a standard passenger tyre and must be shown separately on your invoice. Because of it, tyre shops can no longer add separate disposal fees.
What does the fee pay for?
Tyrewise is New Zealand's regulated product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres. The fee funds collecting and transporting old tyres and encourages processors and manufacturers to turn them into new products, instead of tyres being stockpiled, dumped or sent to landfill.
How much is it for bigger tyres?
The fee depends on the tyre's type and weight. It's based on a standard passenger tyre of about 9.5 kg, which carries $6.65 plus GST. Larger and heavier tyres, such as 4WD, light truck and commercial tyres, carry a higher fee set in the regulations.
Can a tyre shop still charge a disposal fee?
No. Since the scheme became fully operational in 2024, retailers can't charge ad-hoc disposal fees on tyres covered by it. The stewardship fee replaces them.
Why is it listed separately on my invoice?
The rules require the fee to be disclosed separately from the tyre price, so you can see exactly what you're paying. Retailers aren't allowed to mark it up.
Not sure what you need?
Call in for a free tyre safety check at 18 Durham Street South, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. We'll tell you straight if it needs work.
Common questions
Can the shop mark up the Tyrewise fee?
No. Tyrewise rules don't allow markups on the stewardship fee. It's passed through to you at the set amount and shown separately on the invoice.
Do I pay the fee on imported second-hand tyres?
Yes. Imported second-hand tyres have attracted the stewardship fee since 1 March 2024, the same as new imported tyres.
Do I pay again when I get rid of the old tyre?
No. If the stewardship fee was paid when the tyre was bought, the retailer can't charge a disposal fee for that tyre.
