TAX-FREE GUIDE
Tax-Free Procedure Information
Who is eligible for Tax-Free Shopping?
- Customers who do not live in Japan (excluding diplomats, government officials, and U.S. military personnel)
- Japanese citizens who have lived outside Japan for 2 years or more and are on a temporary trip to Japan for less than 6 months.
Effective November 1, 2026, Japan’s tax-free system will change to a refund-based model.
Tax-free procedures vary depending on the date of purchase. Please confirm the details for the period corresponding to the date of purchase.
Current tax-free system (tax-free at point of purchase)
Learn more↓Tax-free goods
General goods
To qualify, the total amount of eligible purchases must be ¥5,000 or more (before tax) and all items must be bought on the same day.
Packaging
None specified
Attention
All purchased items must be taken out of Japan within six months of your entry date.
Consumables
General goods
Consumables
To qualify, the total amount of eligible purchases must be from ¥5,000 to ¥500,000 (before tax), and all items must be bought on the same day.
Tax-free
Packaging
(1) Items will be packaged in a tax-free bag.(2) The packaging must remain sealed until you leave Japan.
Attention
Purchased items must be taken out of Japan within 30 days. If the tax-free packaging is opened and items are consumed within Japan, consumption tax will be charged upon your departure. Please note that consumable items will be packaged and sealed to prevent opening before departure.
Tax Refund Procedures
Effective November 1, 2026, Japan’s tax-free system will change to a refund-based model. The purchase price of the item, including consumption tax, will be paid at the store, and the consumption tax amount will be refunded after you clear customs upon departure from Japan.
STEP 1
Pay the price including consumption tax at the store
Please show your passport at the tax-free counter in the store. The purchase price will include consumption tax.
STEP 2
Verification by customs when leaving Japan
Scan your passport using the dedicated terminals at airport or port customs offices, or via Visit Japan Web. If your declaration result is green, the procedures are complete; if it is red, please present your purchased items to customs.
*Please complete the necessary procedures before checking your luggage.
STEP 3
Consumption tax refund
After verification by customs, the consumption tax amount will be refunded by a tax-free shop or a tax refund provider.
Tax-free goods
General goods
Consumables
Total purchases of 5,000 yen or more (before tax) at the same shop on the same day. There is no upper limit to purchases, and general merchandise and consumables can be combined.
Packaging
No specifications (no special packaging required)
Attention
Please have your purchased items verified by customs when you leave Japan within 90 days of the date of purchase. Any items not verified within this period will not be eligible for refunds. Procedures cannot be performed after you have checked your luggage. Please keep your purchased items with you until they have been verified by customs. Any items consumed or used in Japan (food, drinks, cosmetics, etc.) are not eligible for tax refunds. For individual items with a purchase price of 1 million yen or more (before tax), the brand name, model number, serial number, and any other relevant information will be recorded.
Until 10/3111/1 onwardItems in these categories vary depending on the date of purchase.
Applicable goods
- Goods purchased for personal use. (goods for business or sales are not applicable)
- Until 10/31Goods that will be taken with you when leaving Japan. (General goods must be taken out of Japan within 6 months of your entry date, and consumables within 30 days from the date of purchase)
- 11/1 onwardItems taken out of Japan that are subject to verification by customs within 90 days of the date of purchase
Purchase conditions
- The purchaser must present the following items (no agents or proxies)
- Purchaser's passport
- Copies not accepted.
- Japanese residents living abroad must present their passport and other required documents.
- Purchased items
- Applies only to items bought on the day of purchase.
- Receipts
- Receipts from different purchase dates cannot be combined.
- Credit card
- Only when a credit card is used for the purchase.
- The name on the passport and credit card must be identical.
- Corporate cards are not accepted.
When leaving Japan (verification by customs)11/1 onward
- Before checking your luggage, please scan your passport using the dedicated terminals at airport or port customs offices, or via Visit Japan Web.
- If your declaration result is red, please have your purchased items verified by customs.
- Please have your purchased items inspected by customs within 90 days of the purchase date.
Refund11/1 onward
- After verification by customs, the consumption tax amount will be refunded by a tax-free shop or a tax refund provider.
- Refund methods (credit card, QR Code payment, bank transfer, etc.) and the timing of refunds vary by shop.
Until 10/31Some stores charge a fee for tax exemption procedures. Please check the store information.
11/1 onwardA service fee may be deducted from the refund amount. Please check the information at each shop.