Japan's Tax-Free Shopping Changed in November 2026: How the New Refund System Works

Since November 1, 2026, tax-free shopping in Japan works differently: you now pay the full price including consumption tax at the store, and the tax is refunded after Japan Customs confirms at departure that you are taking the goods out of Japan. You must complete the customs check within 90 days of purchase and before checking in your baggage.

What Changed on November 1, 2026

The biggest change is when the tax comes off. Under the old system (purchases up to October 31, 2026), stores removed the tax at the register. Under the new “refund method,” you pay first and get the money back later.

• At the store: you pay the tax-inclusive price.
• When you leave Japan: Customs confirms you are carrying the goods out.
• After that: the store (or its refund agent) refunds the tax.
• Sealed bags for consumables are gone: the special packaging for food, cosmetics and other consumables has been abolished.
• The purchase date decides the rule: items bought on or after November 1, 2026 follow the new system.

Who Can Use It and How Much You Need to Spend

The system is for eligible tax-free purchasers such as foreign visitors. (The exact eligibility rules are on the Japan Tourism Agency’s website.)

• Minimum: purchases totaling ¥5,000 or more (tax excluded) per store, per day.
• No set maximum amount, but you may only buy as much as you can personally carry out of Japan.
• Very expensive items: for goods of ¥1,000,000 or more per item (tax excluded), Customs may ask to see an appraisal or warranty certificate, so keep it with you.

Step 1: Shopping at a Tax-Free Store

Look for stores displaying the tax-free sign, and tell the staff you’d like tax-free shopping before you pay.

• Show your passport (see the table below for what you need).
• Pay the tax-inclusive price.
• The store will explain how you’ll receive your refund (refund methods differ by store) — follow their instructions to register.
• Keep your receipts together with your passport.

What to show at the store

According to the Japan Tourism Agency, the documents for purchases from November 1, 2026 are as follows. Foreign visitors must be within six months of entering Japan.

For most visitors, your original passport is all you need — carry it with you when you go shopping.

Step 2: The Customs Check When You Leave Japan

This is the most important step — without it, there is no refund.

• When: at your departure airport or seaport, within 90 days of the purchase date.
• Where: at the tax-free procedure terminal (kiosk) or Customs inspection area in the international departure lobby, before you check in your baggage.
• What to bring: your passport and all the goods you bought tax-free, in your possession.
• How it works: scan your passport at the terminal. A green result means you’re done. A red result means you need to go to the Customs inspection area with your goods.
• Online option: at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu Centrair (Nagoya), Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha airports, you can complete the procedure online through Visit Japan Web instead of the kiosk — set it up in advance.
• Allow extra time: the check must be completed before boarding. If you run out of time, neither the airline nor Customs will compensate you.

Step 3: Receiving Your Refund

Once Customs has confirmed your goods, the tax-free sale is complete and the store or its refund agent sends your refund. Whether you receive it by card or another method depends on the store, so check when you buy.

When You Won’t Get a Refund

• Consumables used in Japan: food, drinks, cosmetics or medicine that you ate, drank or used in Japan can’t be confirmed, so the tax is not refunded. Tell the Customs counter rather than using the kiosk.
• One missing item affects the whole receipt: if you no longer have even one item from a receipt, none of the items on that receipt will be refunded.
• Goods already in checked baggage: once a bag is checked in, it can’t be retrieved for the customs check.
• After 90 days, or purchases under ¥5,000 (tax excluded) per store per day.

Tips for Flying Home from Nagoya (Chubu Centrair)

Centrair is one of the airports where the online procedure via Visit Japan Web is available. Whichever method you use, do the customs check first, then check in your suitcase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do tax-free stores still take the tax off at the register? No. For purchases from November 1, 2026, you pay the tax-inclusive price and receive the tax back after the customs check at departure.

What documents do I need at the store? For most tourists, just your passport. Cruise passengers, TTP users and Japanese nationals living abroad need an extra document — see the table above.

How long do I have to complete the customs check? Within 90 days of the purchase date, when you leave Japan.

Can I pack tax-free items in my checked suitcase? Only after the customs check is done. Complete the check before checking in your baggage — checked bags can’t be retrieved for inspection.

I bought snacks tax-free and ate some. What happens? Consumables used in Japan aren’t refunded, and a missing item affects the whole receipt. Tell the Customs counter. If you plan to eat some snacks during your trip, it’s simpler to buy them separately from the items you’ll take home.

How will I actually receive the money? It depends on the store — some use card refunds, others different methods. The store explains the method when you buy.

In Summary

• From November 1, 2026: pay tax at the store, get it back after the customs check.
• Do the check within 90 days, before checking your bags, with your passport and all goods in hand.
• Ask each store how your refund will be paid.