Tax-free shopping in Japan: what changed on 1 November 2026

Used some food or cosmetics in Japan? That receipt is not refunded. Looking for the duty-free allowance when you enter Japan? → Duty-free allowances when entering Japan

• Non-residents with a foreign nationality who entered Japan less than 6 months ago, with the status of residence “Temporary Visitor”, “Diplomat” or “Official” (and some landing permissions, such as a port-of-call or cruise-ship landing permit), showing a passport

  Other papers and exceptions

  — some landing permissions also need the permit itself (for example the cruise-ship sightseeing or crew landing permit), and Trusted Traveler Program users the registration card. The 6-month condition does not apply to diplomats, officials and US forces personnel
• Japanese nationals living abroad: less than 6 months since the temporary return, and proof of an address outside Japan for 2 years or more (an Individual Number Card with the overseas move recorded, a certificate of residence, or a copy of the family register attachment)
• The online procedure through Visit Japan Web (below) is only for “Temporary Visitor”, “Diplomat” and “Official” — Japanese nationals cannot use it

• Purchases of 5,000 yen or more (excluding tax) at one shop on one day qualify. When the shop uses a tax-free counter, purchases at several shops on the same day can be added together at the counter to reach 5,000 yen
• Show your passport. You pay the price with tax, and register how you want the refund (for example a credit card) — the shop explains the steps
• You can buy only as much as you can personally carry out of Japan; everything on the receipt must be with you at Customs when you leave
• Not covered: gold and platinum bullion, gold and platinum coins, and goods exempt from consumption tax
• Shipping the goods abroad straight from the shop (direct shipping) is a separate arrangement and not every shop offers it — ask the shop
• Items priced 1,000,000 yen or more (per item, excluding tax): Customs may ask to see an appraisal certificate or a warranty together with the item

• Go to the Customs Tax Refund Kiosk terminals in the international departure lobby before you check in your bags — after bag drop the procedure cannot be done, because all the goods must be with you. Arrive early
• The terminal reads your passport and shows green (done) or red (an officer checks the goods)
• Connecting from a domestic flight to an international one: do the procedure at the last airport before you leave Japan
• Visit Japan Web: at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, New Chitose, Fukuoka and Naha you can do the procedure online instead of the terminal, but only inside the departure-lobby area covered by the dedicated procedure Wi-Fi (before security). Japan Customs: where the kiosks and inspection areas are — the kiosks are not permanent at some airports and seaports
• Customs checks per receipt: if even one item on a receipt is not with you, nothing on that receipt is refunded. If you have used some of a consumable, do not use the terminal — tell a Customs officer at the counter
• Non-consumables you used in Japan (the Japanese page says “items other than consumables”) can still be confirmed, as long as you take them out of Japan
• Receipts are not always required at the terminal or the inspection, but Customs may ask to see them
• If goods confirmed by Customs are then not taken out of Japan, the tax is collected and penalties apply

• In principle, the refund is paid by the shop (or the refund operator it works with) after the Customs confirmation
• How you get it (card, cash or another way) differs by shop — the shop tells you at the time of purchase. The official pages do not say whether a fee is charged