Japan tax-free shopping changes on 1 November: what to do

Japan’s tax-free shopping system changes on 1 November 2026. For purchases made from that date, eligible visitors will pay the price including tax. The shop will arrange the refund after Customs confirms that the goods are leaving Japan.

The key step is at departure: complete the tax-free procedure before checking in any bag that contains your purchases. You must leave Japan with the goods within 90 days of buying them.

What changes on 1 November?

The new system applies to purchases made on or after 1 November 2026. Until 31 October, the current system remains in place. The Japan Tourism Agency’s traveller guidance sets out the change.

• Pay the tax-inclusive price at an authorised tax-free shop.
• Keep the goods available for inspection when you leave Japan.
• Complete the departure procedure within 90 days of purchase.
• Receive the refund through the shop or its refund provider after export is confirmed.

This means you will need to cover the tax upfront. A tax-free purchase will no longer mean an immediate saving at the till.

Who can use tax-free shopping?

The scheme is for eligible non-residents. It does not cover every foreign passport holder living in Japan. The official list of eligible shoppers and documents includes temporary visitors and several other entry categories.

Japanese nationals who live abroad have separate rules. They must show that they have lived outside Japan for at least two continuous years and have been back in Japan for less than six months. From November, a My Number Card showing that the holder has moved abroad, including its smartphone version, joins the accepted supporting documents. Check the full list before travelling.

What can you buy?

Qualifying purchases must total at least ¥5,000 before tax at one store on one day. Gold and platinum bullion, goods already exempt from consumption tax, and quantities beyond what you can personally carry out of Japan are excluded.

Special sealed packaging for food, drinks, cosmetics and other consumables will end. This does not mean you can use those goods in Japan and still claim a refund. Customs must be able to confirm that you are taking them out of the country.

Complete the checks before baggage drop

Take your passport and all qualifying goods to a tax-free procedure terminal in the international departure lobby. The terminals and inspection areas are before baggage check-in. Do this before handing over any suitcase that contains your shopping.

What the result means

• Green: no physical inspection is needed. The Customs procedure is complete.
• Red: take your purchases to the designated Customs inspection area.

Checks cover each purchase transaction. If even one item on a receipt is missing, the other goods on that receipt will not qualify for a refund. If you have used some or all of a consumable item, report this to a Customs officer instead of completing the terminal procedure.

The official traveller leaflet explains the departure steps. At Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha airports, Visit Japan Web is also available in designated departure-lobby areas using the dedicated Wi-Fi. Follow the result and any inspection instructions.

How will the refund arrive?

The shop or its refund provider handles payment. The official traveller FAQ says possible methods include bank or card transfers, app payments and cash at the departure port after Customs confirmation. The choices vary by shop.

Before buying, ask how to register for your refund, how long payment may take and whether there is a service fee. Keep the receipt and refund instructions until the money arrives. Do not assume every airport offers an instant cash refund.

Your departure checklist

1. Allow extra time for Customs before your flight or sailing.
2. Keep your passport, goods and receipts within reach.
3. Complete the tax-free checks before baggage drop.
4. Follow the terminal result and any Customs instructions.
5. Take the checked goods out of Japan without delay.

If you take a domestic flight before your international flight, complete the procedure at the airport where you leave Japan. Plan your baggage arrangements with this in mind.

More Japan travel guides

• Japan Taxes Explained: VAT, Corporate Tax & More
• Trains in Japan: The Essential Guide to the World’s Most Efficient Rail System

Information checked on 18 October 2026. Check the Japan Tourism Agency’s current guidance and your retailer’s refund terms before travelling.

Featured photograph: Nakano Sunmall shopping arcade, Tokyo, by Charlie fong, 28 August 2023. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped for display; the image remains under the same licence. An illustrative photograph of shopping in Japan.