Japan’s tax-free shopping process is changing for purchases made on or after November 1, 2026. Instead of buying eligible items at a tax-exclusive price, travelers will pay the tax-inclusive price first. A refund equivalent to the consumption tax will be processed after Customs confirms at departure that the goods are being taken out of Japan.
The change affects more than checkout. You will need to complete the Customs procedure before checking your luggage with the airline, and the shop or its refund provider will handle the refund. Here is what to expect, what to keep with you, and what to confirm at the shop.
What changes on November 1, 2026?
The date that matters is the purchase date. Purchases made through October 31, 2026 follow the current system. Purchases made on or after November 1 follow the Refund Method. There is no overlap period for a single purchase.
| Purchases through October 31, 2026 | Purchases from November 1, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| At the shop | Eligible items are generally sold at a tax-exclusive price; some shops process a refund at an in-store counter | You pay the tax-inclusive price |
| At departure | Under the current process, Customs checks have been conducted in the restricted area after security at some airports | Complete the tax-free procedure before airline baggage check-in |
| Refund | Tax is exempted at purchase or handled by the shop | The shop or its refund provider processes a refund after Customs confirms export |
| Consumables | Special packaging rules apply | Special packaging is abolished, but consumables used in Japan are not eligible for a refund |
See the Japan Tourism Agency’s overview of the Refund Method and its traveler leaflet comparing the old and new systems.
Who can use tax-free shopping?
The system is for people who meet Japan’s requirements for eligible tax-free goods purchasers, such as qualifying non-residents. Being a visitor to Japan does not automatically make every traveler eligible. The documents you need to show at a shop depend on your status and circumstances. Check the Japan Tourism Agency’s eligibility information if you are unsure.
As a general purchase condition, eligible items must total ¥5,000 or more before tax at the same shop on the same day. The goods must be for export from Japan, and you must be able to present them at departure. Some goods are excluded, so confirm the details with the tax-free shop.
How the new process works
1. Pay the tax-inclusive price at the shop
At checkout, you will pay a price that includes consumption tax. The shop may ask you to register or choose a refund method at this point. Available methods and any steps or fees depend on the shop or its refund provider, so ask before you leave the store.
Keep your passport and all tax-free goods from each purchase transaction accessible. Customs checks are handled by purchase transaction, such as a receipt. If even one item from a transaction is missing when you are asked to show it, the goods associated with that receipt may not qualify for the Customs check or refund.
2. Complete the departure procedure within 90 days
You must leave Japan within 90 days of the purchase date and complete the Customs procedure at an airport or seaport. Present your passport at a tax-free procedure terminal in the international departure area. The terminal will indicate whether you need to proceed to a Customs inspection area with your goods.
The terminal and inspection area are located before airline baggage check-in. Keep your tax-free purchases out of checked luggage until the procedure is complete. Once a bag has been checked in, you cannot retrieve it just to show its contents to Customs.
The passport scan and initial result may take only a few seconds, but an additional inspection takes longer. Arrive with enough time before your flight or ship departure. If you connect from a domestic flight to an international flight, complete the procedure at your final departure point from Japan.
At Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose, and Naha airports, eligible travelers may also be able to complete the procedure online through Visit Japan Web in designated areas of the international departure lobby. Availability is limited to areas with the dedicated wireless network. Check the airport instructions and the Japan Tourism Agency’s current guidance before relying on this option.
3. Receive the refund from the shop or its provider
After Customs confirms that the goods are being exported, the tax-free shop or a refund service provider entrusted by the shop processes the refund equivalent to consumption tax. The terminal does not necessarily dispense cash, and the same refund method or timing is not used by every store.
Possible methods described by the Japan Tourism Agency include a bank transfer, a credit-card transfer, an app-based transfer, or cash at an airport or seaport. Ask the shop which method it uses, when the money will arrive, and whether you need to register payment details or pay a fee. See the official traveler FAQ for the Refund Method.
Important things to keep in mind
Keep the goods with you until Customs has finished
Do not pack tax-free purchases into checked luggage before completing the procedure. If Customs selects your transaction for inspection, you may need to show the actual goods. Keep items from each receipt together when possible, and make sure you can present every item linked to that purchase.
Do not use consumables in Japan if you expect a refund
Special packaging for consumables will be abolished under the new system, but that does not mean you can use them in Japan and still receive a refund. If you consume all or part of food, drinks, cosmetics, or other consumables before departure, you cannot complete the tax-free procedure for that purchase. The Japan Tourism Agency advises travelers to tell a Customs officer rather than proceed at the terminal when this happens.
Confirm the refund method before completing your purchase
Refund procedures, timing, and any fees can differ by shop or provider. Check the requirements at checkout and save any instructions or confirmation you receive. Do not assume the refund will be issued in cash or immediately at the airport.
Frequently asked questions
Do purchases made in October 2026 use the new system?
No. The system depends on the purchase date. Purchases made through October 31, 2026 follow the current system; purchases made on or after November 1 use the Refund Method.
How long does the airport procedure take?
The passport scan and initial terminal result take only a few seconds according to the Japan Tourism Agency. If Customs requests an inspection, you will need to show the goods, so allow extra time and complete the procedure before checking your luggage.
Can I put tax-free items in my checked suitcase?
Only after the Customs procedure is complete. Keep the goods accessible until then. You cannot retrieve checked baggage to present an item for inspection. For more on planning luggage for Japanese trains, see our guide to bringing a suitcase on Japanese trains.
Will I receive the full amount in cash at the airport?
Not necessarily. The shop or its refund provider issues the refund after Customs confirms export. Refund options and timing vary, so ask the shop when you buy the goods.
A simple departure-day checklist
- Keep your passport and tax-free purchases accessible.
- Keep each purchase transaction’s items together, and bring all of them to the procedure.
- Complete the procedure before checking bags with the airline.
- Allow time for a possible Customs inspection.
- Follow the refund instructions given by the shop or its provider.
- Check the latest official guidance and your departure airport’s instructions before you travel.
Japan’s new system separates payment from the tax refund: you pay the tax-inclusive price at the shop, then receive a refund after Customs confirms the goods are leaving the country. The key departure-day step is to keep your purchases with you until the procedure is complete. For another practical travel tip, read our guide to suitcase rules on Japanese trains.
Official sources
- Japan Tourism Agency: Refund Method information for travelers
- Japan Tourism Agency: Frequently Asked Questions for travelers
- Japan Tourism Agency: Refund Method leaflet for travelers (English PDF)
Information checked against the Japan Tourism Agency’s published guidance on October 5, 2026. Procedures and airport arrangements may change; confirm the latest official instructions before departure.
コメント