Japan tax-free shopping from 1 November 2026: the new refund system
From 1 November 2026, tax-free shops in Japan charge the full price including 10% consumption tax. You get the tax back after customs confirms, when you leave Japan, that you are taking the goods with you.
Updated 11 October 2026
Key facts
- StartsPurchases made on or after 1 November 2026.
- WhoShort-term visitors. Show your passport at the till.
- Minimum spend¥5,000 before tax, per store, per day.
- DeadlineCustoms must confirm export within 90 days of purchase.
- RefundPaid by the store to the method you register at checkout. Card, other cashless or cash, depending on the store.
What changes
- Until 31 October 2026: tax-free stores take the tax off at the till.
- From 1 November 2026: you pay the full price, then get the tax back after customs checks your goods at departure.
- Simpler rules: cosmetics, food and medicine no longer go in sealed bags, consumables and general goods are treated the same, and the ¥500,000 cap on consumables is removed.
At the store
- Show your passport and say you want tax-free.
- Spend at least ¥5,000 before tax in that store on that day.
- Choose how you want the refund paid, and ask when it arrives.
- Keep every receipt. Customs checks each one separately.
At the airport or port
- Arrive earlier than usual. Airlines and customs do not compensate missed flights.
- Before you check in your bags, find the tax-free terminal in the departure lobby and scan your passport.
- Green: you are done. Red: take your purchases to the customs inspection area.
- At Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose, Naha you can start online with Visit Japan Web in the designated area before security.
- Do this at your final departure point from Japan, even after a domestic connection.
Mistakes that cost you the refund
- A missing item: if one item from a receipt is missing, nothing on that receipt is refunded.
- Checked bags: once a bag is checked in, you cannot get it back for the check. Keep purchases with you until the terminal.
- Used items: anything used or opened in Japan does not qualify. Tell a customs officer instead of using the terminal.
- Too late: more than 90 days after purchase.
- Too much: only quantities you can carry out yourself. Posting goods home through Japan Post for tax-free ended on 31 March 2025.
Tips
- Keep each receipt with its items in one bag, so a customs check is quick.
- Big purchases like cameras: carry them in your hand luggage until the check is done.
- Ask each store how it pays refunds. It varies by store and by their tax-free operator.
Questions visitors ask
Do I still need my passport to shop tax-free?
Yes. Show it at the till so the store can confirm you are a short-term visitor, and again at the airport terminal.
Do cosmetics and snacks still come in sealed bags?
No. From 1 November 2026 the special sealed packaging ends. But anything you use or eat in Japan is not eligible for a refund.
What happens if I lose one item?
Customs checks each receipt as a whole. If any item from a receipt is missing, none of the items on that receipt are refunded.
When do I get my money back?
After customs confirms export, the store or its tax-free operator pays the refund to the method you chose at checkout. Timing depends on the store, so ask when you pay.