The tax-free shopping system is something you’ll want to take advantage of when purchasing souvenirs, cosmetics, electronics, and more during your trip to Japan. Starting with purchases made on or after November 1, 2026, the system will switch to a refund-based system, where you will receive the equivalent of the consumption tax at a later time.
Under the new system, you will first pay the tax-inclusive price at the store, and then receive a refund after customs has confirmed that you are taking the goods out of Japan at the airport or port when you leave Japan. The refund method, timing, and fees will vary depending on the store or refund service you use.
This article introduces key points to keep in mind about the new system, as well as information announced by various companies. Use this information to help plan your shopping before your trip and prepare for departure. Information for each company will be added as it becomes available.
Japan’s Tax-Free Shopping System Will Switch to a Refund Method from November 2026
Pay the Tax-Included Price at the Store, Get a Refund After Customs Inspection
Let’s first compare the differences before and after the revision.
| Item | Until October 2026 (Current System) | From November 2026 (New System) |
| At Purchase | Purchase at a tax-free price (or receive a refund at an in-store tax-free counter) | Purchase at a tax-inclusive price (Register refund details, such as credit card information) |
| At Departure | Customs inspection after security check (restricted area) | Customs confirmation for tax-free goods before security check (public area) *Within 90 days from purchase date |
| Refund | (Completed at store) | Refund after customs inspection |
Under the previous system, you could shop at a tax-free price after completing the tax-free procedure at the store. Under the new system, even for items eligible for tax-free shopping, you will pay the tax-inclusive price at the time of purchase.
When you leave Japan within 90 days of the purchase date, you must have customs confirm that you are taking the goods out of the country. The refund will be processed by the tax-free store where you made your purchase or by a designated refund service provider.
It is not an automatic refund just because you purchased at the tax-inclusive price. Be sure to inform the store that you wish to use the tax-free system and follow their instructions to complete the necessary procedures. It’s also a good idea to confirm how and when to register your refund destination at the time of purchase.
Minimum Purchase Amount: ¥5,000 (Excluding Tax); Special Packaging for Consumables Abolished
Under the new system, the basic condition remains that the total amount of tax-free eligible items purchased at the same store on the same day must be at least 5,000 yen (excluding tax).
On the other hand, the distinction between general goods and consumables will be eliminated, along with the previous upper limit of 500,000 yen per day per store for consumables and the requirement for special sealed packaging for consumables.
However, even though special packaging is no longer required, this does not mean you can eat or use up the items during your trip. Be sure to keep tax-free items available for customs confirmation at departure. If you consume food, beverages, or cosmetics in Japan, you will not be eligible for customs confirmation or a refund.
Note that there are also conditions for purchasers to use the tax-free system. In principle, foreign nationals who enter Japan with “Temporary Visitor” status for tourism, etc., must have been in Japan for less than six months. The system is not available to foreign nationals living in Japan for study or work simply because of their nationality.
Tax-Free Procedures to Know Before Departure
Source: Tax-Free Shopping System
1. Confirm Tax-Free Procedures and Refund Method at the Store
At checkout, inform the staff that you wish to shop tax-free and present your passport or other required documents. Even after paying the tax-included price, make sure to check the registration and instructions necessary for your refund.
Refund methods may include refunds to credit cards, bank transfers, transfers to apps, or cash pickup at designated airports or ports, but the available options vary depending on the tax-free store. Be sure to also check when the refund will be processed and whether any handling fees apply.
It is recommended to keep your receipts and any instructions provided by the store until you have confirmed your refund.
2. Get Customs Confirmation Before Checking in Your Luggage
When you arrive at the airport or port for departure, complete the tax exemption procedures before checking your luggage with the airline or other carrier.
By presenting your passport at a tax-free procedure terminal located in the international departure lobby or similar area, you will be notified whether a customs inspection is required. If no inspection is needed, customs confirmation is complete. If an inspection is required, present your items at the designated location for verification.
If you check your suitcase containing tax-free items in before completing the procedures, you will not be able to retrieve your luggage for the process. Be sure to bring all items in a way that they can be inspected, and allow plenty of time to get to the airport or port in case an inspection is required.
If you are transferring from a domestic flight to an international flight within Japan, complete the procedures at the last airport before leaving Japan. Also, check in advance with your airline about how to check in luggage containing tax-free items.
3. Confirm Your Refund According to Store or Refund Operator Instructions
After customs confirmation, the equivalent of the consumption tax will be refunded by the tax-free store or refund operator.
Customs confirmation and receiving your refund are separate procedures. You will not necessarily receive cash on the spot after customs confirmation, so please check your refund status using the method explained at the time of purchase.
At Some Airports, Procedures Can Also Be Completed via Visit Japan Web
At Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose, and Naha airports, you can use the Visit Japan Web online procedure instead of the tax-free procedure terminal.
This service is available only in areas of the international departure lobby where you can connect to the dedicated Wi-Fi network for the procedure, and before entering the security checkpoint. You cannot complete customs confirmation for departure in advance at your hotel or elsewhere. Even with the online procedure, if an inspection is required, you must present your items.
👀 Click here for instructions on how to use Visit Japan Web!
New Tax-Free System: Responses by Store
Refund methods, handling fees, and in-store instructions vary by company. Be sure to check in advance about the stores you plan to visit.
Many stores, such as Don Quijote and Bic Camera, have announced that they will not charge handling fees for refund applications, but if you choose to receive cash at the airport, a handling fee set by the refund operator will apply.
*Information as of October 28, 2026. "Details coming soon" indicates that details are not yet provided in this article and does not reflect each company's response to the new system.
Don Quijote and Other PPIH Group Stores｜No Handling Fee for Refund Applications
The PPIH Group, which operates Don Quijote and other stores, has announced that, in line with the transition to the new system from November 1, 2026, there will be no handling fee for refund applications.
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👉Check here for detailed information on Don Quijote's tax-free procedures!
BicCamera｜No Fee for Refund Applications
BicCamera has also announced that, in line with the new system starting November 1, 2026, there will be no fee for refund applications.
Matsumoto Kiyoshi｜Detailed Guidance on the New System Coming Soon
Details regarding in-store procedures, refund methods and fees, and eligible stores for Matsumoto Kiyoshi under the new system will be added to this article after confirming official information. We also plan to introduce tips on what to prepare before shopping and information on available coupons.
3 Points to Check Before Shopping
Check Refund Methods and Fees
In addition to the available refund methods and the time required to receive your refund, be sure to check whether any fees apply when you receive it. Even at the same store, conditions may differ depending on the method of receipt. For example, the PPIH Group has announced that a handling fee applies to cash refunds collected at the airport.
Separate Items for Use in Japan and for Taking Home
Customs checks are conducted per purchase transaction, that is, per receipt. If you do not have even one of the tax-free items listed on the same receipt at the time of departure, you will not be able to receive customs confirmation or a refund for any of the other items on that receipt.
For example, if you buy souvenir snacks as tax-free items and eat some during your trip, it will affect the other items on the same receipt. If you plan to consume some items during your trip, it is a good idea to ask the store whether you can pay separately for the items you wish to purchase tax-free.
Check Coupon Usage Conditions Under the New System
When using coupons, check the expiration date, eligible products, eligible stores, when the discount is applied, and whether it can be combined with tax-free purchases. Even if you have used a coupon before, be sure to check the conditions after November 2026 before using it again.
Frequently Asked Questions About the New Tax-Free System (FAQ)
Q. If I make a purchase in October and leave Japan in November, does the new system apply?
A. In principle, whether the old or new system applies is determined by the purchase date, not the departure date. Items purchased on or before October 31, 2026, are subject to the old system, while items purchased on or after November 1, 2026, are subject to the new system. If you are staying in Japan during the transition period, please check the guidance at the time of purchase.
Q. Can I use the tax-free system if I pay in cash?
A. Please check separately the payment methods available at the time of purchase and the methods for receiving your refund. Regardless of whether you pay in cash, check with the store about available payment and refund methods and any necessary registration. Not all stores offer cash refunds.
Q. Can I open the packaging of snacks or cosmetics?
A. The special packaging requirement for consumables will be abolished. However, items consumed in Japan are not eligible for customs confirmation or refunds. The removal of packaging requirements does not mean you are free to consume items in Japan.
Q. Will I receive my refund immediately after customs clearance?
A. Refunds are processed by the tax-free store or the refund operator. The timing and method of receiving the refund vary by store, so please check the guidance at the time of purchase.
Q. Do I have to use Visit Japan Web to use the tax-free system?
A. For customs confirmation at departure, you can use the terminals for tax-free procedures installed at airports and ports. Online procedures via Visit Japan Web are one of the available methods at the seven airports mentioned above.
*This article is based on official information as of October 28, 2026. Information by company will be updated as it becomes available. Please check the latest information at each store and at the airport or port you will be departing from before your visit.
References:
- National Tax Agency "Q&A on the Export Sales Store System (Refund Method / Overview)", Japan Tourism Agency "Special Page for Travelers"
- Japan Tourism Agency "Special Page for Travelers", "Frequently Asked Questions for Travelers (Refund Method)"
- Japan Tourism Agency "List of Eligible Tax-Free Shoppers (Refund Method)"
- Japan Tourism Agency "Frequently Asked Questions for Travelers (Refund Method)"
- Pan Pacific International Holdings Corporation "Corresponding to New Tax-Free System Refund Applications with No Refund Handling Fee" (October 5, 2026)
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