Quick answer: From November 1, 2026, tax-free shopping in Japan works as a refund. You pay the full price including the 10% consumption tax at the store, show your passport, and keep the goods unopened in your carry-on or easy to reach. When you leave Japan, go through the tax-free check before you check in your bags. After customs confirms you’re taking the goods out, the tax is refunded by the method the store offers.
What Changes on November 1, 2026
| Until October 31, 2026 | From November 1, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| At the register | Pay the price without tax | Pay the full price with tax |
| Tax back | Already removed at the store | Refunded after customs checks at departure |
| General goods vs. consumables | Different rules and packaging | One set of rules |
| Upper limit for consumables | Yes | Removed |
There is no overlap period: anything bought from November 1 follows the new system.
Who Can Shop Tax-Free
- Visitors to Japan on a short-term stay, with their passport
- At stores that display the “Japan. Tax-free Shop” sign
- A minimum spend applies: ¥5,000 before tax at one store (check how the store counts it)
- Items must be for personal use and taken out of Japan, generally within 90 days of purchase
Step by Step from November 2026
- Shop: tell the staff you want tax-free and show your passport. Pay the full price
- Ask how the refund is paid: credit card, app, bank transfer or another method. It depends on the store or refund provider
- Keep everything together: receipts and the goods themselves. Don’t use or give away the items
- At the airport, before check-in: use the tax-free procedure terminal in the departure area and show your passport. Customs may ask to see the goods
- Get your refund: timing depends on the method. Card refunds can take a week or two
Tips So You Don’t Lose Your Refund
- Do customs before checking in your suitcase. Once a bag is checked in, you can’t show the items inside
- Pack tax-free items where you can reach them
- Leave extra time at the airport, especially during the first weeks of the new system
- Big stores (department stores, electronics, drugstores) usually handle tax-free smoothly
FAQ
I bought something on October 30. Which rules apply?
The old rules. You get the tax removed at the store.
Can I combine purchases from different stores to reach ¥5,000?
Generally no. The minimum is counted per store.
Will I get the money back in cash?
It depends on the store or refund provider. Ask which methods they offer when you pay.
Recommended Articles
- Japan’s Departure Tax 2026: What Changed and What You’ll Pay
- Japan’s Second-Hand Treasures: Book-Off, Vintage Shops and Thrift Culture
- Where to Buy Pokémon Cards in Japan: The Complete Guide (2026)
Planning a trip to Japan? We share one practical Japan tip every day on Threads: local restaurants most visitors walk past, culture explained, and what to do when things go wrong.
