Japan to change tax-free shopping system for tourists starting 1 November 2026

Under the new system, international visitors to Japan will pay consumption tax at the time of purchase and claim refunds at the airport.

Starting 1 November 2026, Japan will implement a new tax exemption system for international tourists, transitioning from the current immediate tax deduction at the point of sale to a refund-based model.

Under the new system, tourists will pay the full purchase price, including Japan’s 10% consumption tax, at retail stores.

Visitors must keep all receipts for eligible purchases, and scan QR codes on the receipts to register all necessary information on the J-TaxRefund website, including their passport information, contact details, and refund preferences. Registration is only required for the first purchase.

When they arrive at the departure points (such as the airport), travellers must complete the refund process via electronic kiosks by presenting their passport and having their purchases inspected by customs.

Refunds must be claimed within 90 days of purchase to verify that the goods are being exported. The amount equivalent to the consumption tax paid will then be reimbursed to the registered recipient.

In addition, effective 1 April 2025, tax exemption is no longer applicable to items shipped overseas via international parcels. To qualify for a refund, travellers must carry their purchases with them when departing Japan.

Meanwhile, Japan is relaxing several rules on spend limits, packaging, and goods categories alongside the transition, including:

• Removal of the ¥500,000 cap on consumable purchases (e.g., food, medicine), allowing unlimited tax-free buying.
• Elimination of special packaging requirements for consumables.
• Unification of product categories, removing the distinction between ‘general goods’ (e.g., clothing) and ‘consumables’ (e.g., cosmetics, food).

All these changes aim to eliminate fraud, streamline the tax refund process, and improve the shopping experience for international visitors. 

In Japan, purchases at the same store on the same day totaling ¥5,000 or more (excluding tax) are eligible for a tax refund.

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