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From 1 November 2026, Japan’s tax-free shops will charge the tax first. Eligible visitors receive a refund after Customs confirms they are taking the purchases out of Japan. Keep the goods accessible: the departure check happens before you hand over checked luggage.
Rules checked on 16 October 2026. The November system is not yet in effect.
Which rules apply to your trip?
| Purchase date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Through 31 October 2026 | Eligible purchases are tax-exempt at the shop or its tax-free counter, under the existing rules. |
| From 1 November 2026 | Pay including tax, complete the departure check, then receive the shop’s refund. |
The purchase date decides the system, not your arrival date. If your trip crosses November, keep October and November receipts organized separately. The Japan Tourism Agency’s traveler guidance explains the change.
Before paying
- Check eligibility: Most overseas tourists qualify as non-residents with Temporary Visitor status and fewer than six months since entry. A foreign passport alone is not enough. Bring your original passport; other statuses and Japanese nationals living abroad have separate document requirements.
- Choose a participating shop: Ordinary purchases do not become refundable simply because you take the receipt to the airport. Ask the shop to process a tax-free purchase.
- Meet the minimum: Spend at least ¥5,000 before tax, per store, per day. Purchases from unrelated stores do not add up to this threshold.
- Ask about the refund: Confirm the method, any fee and expected timing before paying. The shop or its refund provider pays you, not the Customs officer.
The National Tax Agency’s reform summary confirms that November removes the separate general-goods/consumables categories, consumables’ upper limit and special packaging requirement. You must still take eligible goods out of Japan. Snacks, drinks and cosmetics consumed in Japan do not qualify.
Watch out: One missing item can make every tax-free item on the same receipt ineligible. Buy snacks you intend to eat during the trip separately from souvenirs you plan to take home.
Five steps from shop to departure
- At the shop: Show your passport, complete the tax-free purchase procedure and pay the tax-inclusive price. Follow the shop’s refund-registration instructions.
- Before packing: Match all purchases to their receipts and keep them available for inspection. Do not bury them in luggage you will check through on a domestic connection.
- Before baggage check-in: At your final departure airport or seaport in Japan, present your passport at a tax-free procedure terminal. Complete Customs confirmation within 90 days of purchase.
- Read the result: Green means no physical inspection is needed. Red means take the goods to the designated Customs inspection area before proceeding.
- After confirmation: Follow the shop or refund provider’s instructions to receive your money. Keep the receipts and refund contact until it arrives.
In the app: Bookmark this guide in Goshuin Atlas before your shopping day. On iPhone or iPad, choose More → Add to Reminders to export the departure checklist, then set your own reminder before baggage check-in. Customs confirmation and refunds happen through the official procedure and the shop.
On iPhone or iPad, use the menu at the top of the guide. The first-trip guide is shown here; the tax guide has the same menu.
- 1. Open More (•••). Tap the button at the top right of the guide, beside the bookmark.
- 2. Choose Add to Reminders. Review the tasks before saving; set deadlines in Apple Reminders.
Avoid an airport surprise
- Connecting within Japan? Do the check at the airport where you leave Japan. Ask your airline how to keep the goods accessible before checking a bag through.
- Already checked your suitcase? It cannot be retrieved just to complete the tax-free procedure. Speak to Customs; do not assume a receipt can replace the goods.
- Used a consumable? Tell a Customs officer rather than completing the terminal procedure for those purchases.
- Short of time? Allow extra time for queues and a possible inspection. The terminal result may be quick, but the whole process has no guaranteed duration.
At Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha, Visit Japan Web is an alternative to the terminal within the dedicated departure-lobby Wi-Fi area before security. It is not a departure check you can finish from your hotel. See the official refund FAQ for baggage, connections and refund methods.
Prefer a demonstration? Watch the Japan Tourism Agency’s English refund explainer.
Other taxes on your trip
The November change concerns shopping refunds. Japan’s separate departure tax is generally ¥3,000, collected by the airline or cruise line. Eligible tickets issued by 30 June 2026 can retain the previous ¥1,000 rate; exemptions also apply. Check the National Tax Agency’s departure-tax rules.
Accommodation taxes depend on the destination and booking. Check your hotel’s total and any amount payable on arrival. A tax-free shopping refund does not cover your hotel bill.
Related guides: Money, Cash, Cards and ATMs in Japan (Pro); Visit Japan Web and Arrival Setup.
