Japan's tax-free shopping changes on November 1, 2026
Japan is replacing in-store tax-free shopping with a refund at departure. What changes, what stays, and what travelers should do differently — by purchase date.
On 2026-11-01, Japan switches how tourists get their consumption tax back. Today you pay the tax-free price at the register. From November 1, you pay the full price including tax, and get the tax refunded when you leave Japan. Which system applies is decided by your purchase date — not your departure date.
What changes on November 1
| Until Oct 31, 2026 | From Nov 1, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you get the benefit | At the register (tax-free price) | At departure (refund after customs check) |
| What you pay in store | Price without tax | Full price including tax |
| Consumables (cosmetics, food) | ¥5,000–¥500,000 pre-tax, sealed bag required, no use in Japan | Cap and sealed bags abolished — but still no consuming in Japan |
| Minimum purchase | ¥5,000 pre-tax, same store, same day | Same: ¥5,000 pre-tax, same store, same day |
| Inspection at exit | Show your passport to customs when you leave; goods may be inspected | Scan your passport at a tax-free terminal; per receipt — if one item on a receipt is missing, that whole receipt gets nothing |
| Deadline | Leave Japan while eligible | Depart within 90 days of purchase (the day after purchase counts as day 1) |
Shopping after November 1 — the new habits
- Show your passport at the register and register how you want the refund paid (card, bank, app) — the shop explains this when you buy
- Budget the full tax-included price at the register; the refund comes later
- Keep every receipt — the refund is processed per receipt
- Don't eat, drink or use consumables (food, drinks, cosmetics, medicine) in Japan, not even partly; general goods like clothes or electronics may be used
- Do the refund procedure at your departure airport before checking your bags
- Depart within 90 days of each purchase
- Expect the refund amount to vary — stores and refund operators may deduct fees
Who qualifies
Tax-free is for non-residents: foreign visitors on short-stay status (Temporary Visitor and similar) who entered Japan less than six months ago. Japanese nationals must have lived abroad continuously for two years or more, be within six months of re-entry, and present the required proof. Residents generally do not qualify; special categories such as diplomatic or official status have different conditions.
At the airport, in short
Before you check any bags, scan your passport at a tax-free procedure terminal in the international departure lobby. A green result means you are done; a red result means a customs officer checks the goods, so keep everything with you. At seven major airports (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose, Naha) you can do this step through Visit Japan Web after advance registration, in the dedicated Wi-Fi area before security. If you ate or used part of a consumable, skip the terminal and tell the customs counter. Our airport step-by-step guide covers the details.
What stays the same
The eligibility threshold does not move: ¥5,000 or more pre-tax, added up per store, per day. Gold and platinum bullion, non-taxable goods, and quantities beyond personal use remain excluded either way.
- Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) — new refund-style tax-free system
- Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) — traveler page for the refund method (procedure at departure)
- Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) — traveler FAQ for the refund method
- National Tax Agency — refund-method tax exemption
- National Tax Agency — current tax-free system overview