Tax-free shopping calculator
From 1 Nov 2026, Japan's tax-free shopping works as a refund. Check whether a purchase qualifies and how much consumption tax is involved.
Result
Meets the ¥5,000 minimum.
- Consumption tax on this purchase
- ¥800
- Refund you could claim
- ¥800
The refund shown is the tax amount itself. A store or refund operator may deduct a handling fee, so the amount you receive can be lower. Under the system starting 1 Nov 2026, you pay the tax-inclusive price in the store and the tax is refunded after customs confirms the goods at departure.
- Source: [For travellers] New system (refund method) special page (Japan Tourism Agency) · Verified on · Start date, tax-inclusive payment, 5,000 yen per store per day (tax-excluded), 90 days, kiosk / GREEN-RED check, refund by shop or refund agent, consumables used in Japan, per-receipt rule.
- Source: Traveller Q&A on the refund method (Japanese) (Japan Tourism Agency) · Verified on · Refund method examples, Visit Japan Web at seven airports, 1,000,000 yen items.
- Source: Refund hoshiki kaishi ni mukete junbi wo shimasho (leaflet for tax-free shops) (Japan Tourism Agency) · Verified on · Abolition of the general/consumable split, the 500,000 yen consumables cap and special packaging; no transition period; Visit Japan Web Wi-Fi areas at seven airports.
- Source: Yushutsu buppin hanbaijo seido ni kansuru Q&A (refund hoshiki, gaiyo-hen) (National Tax Agency) · Verified on · Applies by date of sale; 5,000 yen judged on the tax-excluded amount with no category split; customs check before checked baggage; separately mailed goods not refunded; ineligible goods; refund methods not prescribed by law.
- Source: No.6303 Shohizei oyobi chiho shohizei no zeiritsu (Consumption tax rates) (National Tax Agency) · Verified on · Standard rate 10%; reduced rate 8% for food and beverages excluding alcohol and dining out.
How it works from 1 Nov 2026
- Buy at a tax-free shop and show your passport (or a Visit Japan Web QR code that holds your passport details). From 1 November 2026 you pay the tax-inclusive price at the till.
- The shop sends your purchase record to the National Tax Agency's tax-free sales system.
- When you leave Japan within 90 days of the purchase date, present your passport at a tax-free procedure terminal (kiosk or electronic terminal) at the airport or seaport. Do this before checking in your baggage, because customs cannot confirm items after they are checked in.
- At Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, New Chitose, Fukuoka and Naha you can also complete the step with Visit Japan Web in the international departure lobby area covered by the dedicated Wi-Fi.
- If the screen shows GREEN, the customs confirmation is finished. If it shows RED, customs inspects the items at the inspection area.
- After customs confirmation, the consumption tax amount is refunded by the shop or by a refund agent the shop has contracted. Export the confirmed goods without delay.
Caveats
- The refund system applies to goods sold on or after 1 November 2026 (the date of sale, not your departure date). Purchases up to 31 October 2026 follow the old system, where tax is exempted at the till.
- The 5,000 yen minimum is per store per day and is judged on the tax-excluded price. General goods and consumables are no longer separated, so they count together.
- The 500,000 yen per-day cap on consumables and the special sealed packaging for consumables are abolished.
- Food, drinks, cosmetics and other consumables used up in Japan cannot be confirmed by customs and are not refunded.
- Customs checks are done per purchase record (receipt). If even one item on a receipt is not with you at departure, none of the items on that receipt can be confirmed or refunded.
- You may only buy quantities you can carry out of Japan yourself at departure.
- Goods bought on or after 1 November 2026 and mailed abroad separately (e.g. by EMS) are not refunded. Direct shipping arranged by the shop at the time of purchase continues.
- How you are refunded is decided by each shop: examples given by the authorities include bank transfer, credit-card transfer, app transfer, or cash at the port after customs confirmation. Neither the Japan Tourism Agency nor the National Tax Agency pages we read mention refund fees; ask the shop.
- For items priced at 1,000,000 yen or more (tax-excluded, per unit), customs may ask to see a certificate of appraisal or warranty together with the item.
- Gold and platinum bullion and coins, and goods not subject to consumption tax, are not eligible.
- Source: [For travellers] New system (refund method) special page (Japan Tourism Agency) · Verified on · Start date, tax-inclusive payment, 5,000 yen per store per day (tax-excluded), 90 days, kiosk / GREEN-RED check, refund by shop or refund agent, consumables used in Japan, per-receipt rule.
- Source: Traveller Q&A on the refund method (Japanese) (Japan Tourism Agency) · Verified on · Refund method examples, Visit Japan Web at seven airports, 1,000,000 yen items.
- Source: Refund hoshiki kaishi ni mukete junbi wo shimasho (leaflet for tax-free shops) (Japan Tourism Agency) · Verified on · Abolition of the general/consumable split, the 500,000 yen consumables cap and special packaging; no transition period; Visit Japan Web Wi-Fi areas at seven airports.
- Source: Yushutsu buppin hanbaijo seido ni kansuru Q&A (refund hoshiki, gaiyo-hen) (National Tax Agency) · Verified on · Applies by date of sale; 5,000 yen judged on the tax-excluded amount with no category split; customs check before checked baggage; separately mailed goods not refunded; ineligible goods; refund methods not prescribed by law.
- Source: No.6303 Shohizei oyobi chiho shohizei no zeiritsu (Consumption tax rates) (National Tax Agency) · Verified on · Standard rate 10%; reduced rate 8% for food and beverages excluding alcohol and dining out.
FAQ
What is the minimum purchase for tax-free shopping?
¥5,000 or more, tax excluded, combined per store per day. General goods and consumables count together.
What changes on 1 Nov 2026?
Tax-free shopping becomes a refund system: you pay the price including consumption tax in the store, and the tax is refunded after customs confirms the goods when you leave Japan. The steps are listed on this page with their source.
How much tax do I get back?
The consumption tax on eligible goods: 10% on most goods, 8% on food and drinks other than alcohol. A store or refund operator may charge a handling fee, so the amount you receive can be lower.