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Money · 發布 2026-09-29 · 更新 2026-09-29

事實最後確認 2026-09-29 · 下次檢視 2026-11-15

Tax-free shopping in Japan changes on November 1, 2026: how the new refund method works

From November 1, 2026 you pay the full price including tax, then get the tax back after a customs check when you leave Japan. Here is the new process from the Japan Tourism Agency, and the mistakes that cost you the refund.

Japan is changing how tax-free shopping works for visitors. If you shop on or after November 1, 2026, the old habit of paying the tax-free price at the till no longer applies. You pay the full price, including consumption tax, and get the tax back later.

Everything below comes from the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) page for travelers and its leaflet, checked on 2026-09-29. Because the system has not started yet, we will re-check it after launch.

Old system vs new system

Until October 31, 2026From November 1, 2026
At the shopYou pay the price without consumption taxYou pay the price with consumption tax
When you leave JapanCustoms checkCustoms check, then refund
Where the check happensAfter security (restricted area)Before checking in your luggage (public departure lobby)

The refund is paid by each tax-free shop, or by a refund service the shop uses. How you receive it is explained at the shop, so ask when you buy.

What counts as tax-free (from November 1, 2026)

  • Purchases totaling 5,000 yen or more (before tax) per store per day.
  • You must take the goods out of Japan.
  • Only as much as you can personally carry out when you leave.
  • Gold and platinum bullion, and items that are already exempt from consumption tax, are excluded.
  • The special sealed packaging for food, drinks and cosmetics is abolished. But if you eat, drink or use them in Japan, you cannot get the refund for them.

What to do at the airport or seaport

  1. Within 90 days of purchase, go to a tax-free procedure terminal (kiosk) in the international departure lobby, before you check in your luggage.
  2. Present your passport. The terminal shows either:
    • Green: no inspection needed. The customs step is complete.
    • Red: take your tax-free goods to the customs inspection area to be checked.
  3. Then check in your bags and receive your refund as the shop explained.

At seven major airports (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha), you can also do this step online through Visit Japan Web, inside the departure lobby areas that have Wi-Fi provided for this procedure (up to the security checkpoint).

The mistakes that cost you the refund

These come straight from the JTA's notes:

  • Checking in your bag first. You must have all your tax-free goods with you at the terminal. You cannot do the procedure after checking in, and you cannot get checked luggage back to do it.
  • Arriving late. The check must be finished before boarding procedures. If you give up because you are short of time, it counts as not completed, and neither the airline nor customs will compensate you if you miss your flight.
  • Missing one item from a receipt. Inspection is done per purchase (per receipt). If even one item from a receipt is missing, nothing on that receipt is eligible.
  • Using the goods in Japan. If you consumed some goods, do not use the terminal for them; tell a customs officer at the counter.
  • Connecting from a domestic flight. Do the procedure at the airport where you actually leave Japan.

If goods that passed inspection are not taken out of Japan, the JTA says the tax will be collected and penalties apply.

A simple plan

  • Keep tax-free purchases and their receipts together, in your carry-on, until you have done the check.
  • Add extra time at the airport on the day you leave.
  • Ask each shop how their refund is paid (card, cash or other), before you pay.

Sources