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#Q&A How is Japan's tax-free shopping changing… Answer ↓

How is Japan's tax-free shopping changing from November 2026? Can I still buy tax-free at the register?

Updated 7 sources

No. What counts is the purchase date: anything bought on or before October 31, 2026 is still tax-free at checkout, but from November 1, 2026 Japan switches to a refund system. You pay the tax-included price in store, get customs confirmation at a kiosk at the airport before checking your bags when you leave Japan within 90 days of purchase, and the store or its refund agent then refunds the consumption tax (usually 10%). The threshold is still 5,000 yen excluding tax at one store on one day; the split between consumables and general goods, the 500,000-yen cap on consumables and the sealed packaging all go away.

How to get your tax back under the new rules: 5 steps

  1. Shop at a tax-free store and pay the tax-included priceShow your original passport (copies or photos are not accepted). You qualify once you spend 5,000 yen or more excluding tax at one store on one day. You pay the tax-included price, and the store sends the purchase record to customs.
  2. Register a refund method as the store instructsEach store decides how it refunds you (credit card, bank transfer, an app, cash at the departure airport, etc.) and explains it when you buy. The official advice: ask the store at the time of purchase.
  3. Leave Japan within 90 days with all the goodsDepart within 90 days of the purchase date and carry every item on the same receipt. If even one is missing (say, you ate a box of sweets), nothing on that receipt is refunded.
  4. At the airport, get customs confirmation before checking bagsIn the international departures hall, before the check-in counters, scan your passport at a tax-free kiosk or e-terminal. Green means you're done; red means you show the goods at the customs inspection point. At Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha you can instead connect to a dedicated Wi-Fi network in the departures hall (before security) and do it online with Visit Japan Web. You can't do it after checking a bag, and checked bags can't be retrieved.
  5. Receive the refund from the store or its refund agentCustoms sends the confirmation to the store, and the store or its refund agent pays back the consumption tax by the method you registered. How long it takes depends on the store.

Key dates

Date What happens
March 31, 2025 Mailing tax-free goods out of Japan yourself (別送) was abolished
October 31, 2026 Last day of the old rules: purchases up to this day are tax-free at checkout
November 1, 2026 New rules start: from this purchase date you pay the tax first and get it back after customs confirmation at departure
Within 90 days of purchase You must leave Japan and complete customs confirmation at the airport or seaport, or no refund

These dates follow the Japan Tourism Agency and National Tax Agency announcements. For how things work on the ground after November 1 (kiosk locations, when refunds arrive), follow what each airport and store tells you.

Old vs. new rules

Item Old rules (purchases through Oct 31, 2026) New rules (purchases from Nov 1, 2026)
What you pay at checkout Price excluding tax (tax-free on the spot) Tax-included price (you pay consumption tax first)
Minimum spend 5,000 yen excluding tax at one store on one day 5,000 yen excluding tax at one store on one day (unchanged)
General goods / consumables Counted separately; 500,000-yen cap on consumables No longer separated; 500,000-yen cap removed
Consumables packaging Special sealed bag, not to be opened before leaving Japan Special packaging abolished, but consumables eaten or used in Japan aren't eligible
When you leave Customs may spot-check after security Customs confirmation at a kiosk is required before you check bags
When you get the money At checkout After customs confirmation, from the store or a refund agent
Deadline Short-term visitors in Japan less than 6 months Leave Japan and complete customs confirmation within 90 days of purchase
Not eligible Gold and platinum bullion, non-taxable items, etc. Gold and platinum bullion, gold and platinum coins, non-taxable items, etc.

Things to watch out for

  • Allow extra time: if you're flagged for inspection you'll queue to show your goods. The official guidance says neither airlines nor customs will compensate you if the tax-free procedure makes you miss your flight, so arrive earlier than usual. For kiosks and cash refund machines at Narita, Haneda and Kansai, see Tax refunds at Japanese airports.
  • Refund methods differ by store: if you shop at several stores you may have to register and receive refunds separately. Keep every receipt and the instructions each store gives you.
  • Take confirmed goods out promptly: goods confirmed by customs that aren't taken out of Japan are charged the consumption tax and may be penalized.
  • Only buy what you can carry: quantities are limited to what you can take out of Japan yourself.

Is it still worth it?

To see how much you save after the refund, use the tax refund calculator with the tax-included price. Every model page also shows the price under both the old and new rules, for example the Panasonic EH-NA0K hair dryer, SK-II Facial Treatment Essence 230 mL, Nintendo Switch 2 (multi-language) and Zojirushi NP-BQH10 rice cooker (overseas model). For how much you'll get back, read How much is Japan's tax refund?; for where to shop, see the store map; before checking a large appliance, see Checking appliances in your luggage.

After you leave Japan

Japan refunds Japanese consumption tax only. When you arrive at your next destination or back home, that country's customs allowance and import rules still apply; see Duty-free allowances by country. If you're bringing food or medicine, see Bringing Japanese food souvenirs home and Bringing Japanese OTC medicine home.

Old vs new tax-free rules (data)

Old rule: tax exempted at the store

— to 2026-10-31 · minimum: JP¥5,000 excl. tax

Show your passport at a tax-free shop and pay the tax-exclusive price at checkout. General goods: at least ¥5,000 (excluding tax) at the same store on the same day; consumables (drugstore items, food, etc.): ¥5,000–500,000, sealed in special packaging that must not be opened before you leave Japan.

  1. Shop at stores displaying the Japan Tax-free Shop logo
  2. Show your original passport at checkout (short-term visitors who entered Japan less than 6 months ago)
  3. Pay the tax-free (tax-exclusive) price; the store submits the purchase record electronically to customs
  4. Consumables are sealed in a special bag; don't open it before leaving Japan
  5. Customs may inspect your purchases when you depart

Sources: Japan Tourism Agency: tax-free system

New rule: pay tax first, refund on departure (refund system)

2026-11-01 to present · minimum: JP¥5,000 excl. tax

From November 1, 2026, you pay the tax-inclusive price at checkout. When you leave Japan, customs at the airport or seaport confirms the goods are being taken out of the country, and then the store (or a refund agent) refunds the consumption tax to you. The distinction between general goods and consumables is abolished, as are the ¥500,000 cap on consumables and the special packaging requirement; purchases of at least ¥5,000 (excluding tax) at the same store on the same day qualify.

  1. Show your passport at checkout and pay the tax-inclusive price; the store registers the purchase record
  2. Take the goods out of Japan within 90 days of purchase
  3. Have them confirmed by customs when you depart (you may need to show the goods); customs sends the confirmation to the store
  4. The store or refund agent refunds the consumption tax by the agreed method (credit card, e-payment, etc.); a handling fee may be deducted
  5. No refund if the goods aren't taken out of Japan or are found not to qualify

Sources: Japan Tourism Agency: tax-free system, National Tax Agency of Japan: revision of the tax-free shop system to the refund method

Try the tax refund calculator

Frequently asked questions

I bought something on October 31 but leave Japan in November. Which rules apply?

The purchase date decides. Purchases made on or before October 31, 2026 follow the old rules (you already paid the tax-free price at checkout); only purchases from November 1, 2026 use the refund system. Consumables bought under the old rules should stay in their sealed packaging.

How much do I get back, and are there fees?

You get back the consumption tax you paid: 10% on most goods, 8% (the reduced rate) on food and drinks other than alcohol. The law doesn't set a refund method; each store or its refund agent handles it, and whether a fee is deducted depends on the store, so you may receive less than the full tax. Estimate first with the tax refund calculator.

Can I use some of the snacks or cosmetics in Japan and still get a refund?

No. Consumables eaten or used in Japan aren't eligible, and customs checks per receipt: if one item on a receipt is missing, nothing on that receipt is refunded. If you've used something, tell a customs officer instead of using the kiosk.

My bags are already checked in. Can I still do the customs confirmation?

No. The official guidance says the kiosk procedure can't be done after you check a bag, and checked bags can't be retrieved. Do the customs confirmation first, then go to the airline counter.

Is there still a purchase limit?

The 500,000-yen cap on consumables is gone, and consumables and general goods are no longer counted separately. But you may only buy as much as you can carry out of Japan yourself, and you may be asked to show it to customs.

Can I mail my tax-free purchases home?

Mailing tax-free goods out of Japan yourself (別送) was abolished on March 31, 2025. Whether a store can ship overseas for you varies; ask the store.

I'm connecting from a domestic flight to an international one. Where do I do it?

At the last airport (or seaport) you depart Japan from.

Anything special for very expensive items?

For items priced at 1,000,000 yen or more excluding tax, customs may ask to see a certificate of authenticity or warranty card with the item, so keep them with you.

Related categories and models

Sources

Updated 2026-10-24Prices are for reference only; check in store.Markdown