Tax-Free Shopping in Japan 2026: The New Refund System From November 1

Short answer: from November 1, 2026, tourists in Japan pay the full price including the 10% consumption tax in tax-free stores, and get the tax back when leaving Japan, after a customs check at the airport or port. The minimum is ¥5,000 before tax per store per day, you have 90 days to take the goods out of Japan, and you must go through the tax-free kiosk before checking in your luggage. Open a single item from a receipt and you lose the refund on that whole receipt.

Tax-free in Japan: how much can you really save?

You save about 9% of what you pay at the till. Japan charges a 10% consumption tax on most goods (and 8% on food and non-alcoholic drinks). Tourists are entitled to get this tax back, so a ¥50,000 purchase (before tax) returns ¥5,000. On electronics, cosmetics, clothing and souvenirs, that's a significant saving.

Shelf prices already include tax, so the refund is calculated on the pre-tax price. Here's what you actually get back:

The actual refund can be slightly lower if the store's refund provider charges a handling fee. Ask at the till.

But note: from November 1, 2026, the system changes completely, and anyone who keeps shopping the old way could lose their refund.

What changed in Japan's tax-free system on November 1, 2026?

Japan moved from "exempt at the till" to "pay and get a refund". Until October 31, 2026, tourists were exempted from tax at the till and paid a tax-free price. For purchases from November 1, 2026 onward, Japan moves to a refund system: the tax is refunded only after a customs check at the airport or port confirms that the goods are leaving Japan. There is no transition period: every purchase from November 1 falls under the new system.

Put simply: you pay full price in the store and get the tax back when you leave Japan. The reason for the change is to fight abuse, such as reselling tax-free goods inside Japan.

Quick comparison: old vs. new

The distinction between general goods and consumables is abolished, so snacks, cosmetics and clothes now count toward the same minimum. The period for taking goods out of Japan is extended from 30 to 90 days, and the ¥500,000 cap that applied to consumables is abolished.

Who is eligible for tax-free shopping in Japan?

Israelis entering Japan as tourists are eligible. Eligible shoppers are foreign nationals who are non-residents and have been in Japan for less than six months since entry, including those with Temporary Visitor status (regular tourists). You need to show your passport in the store, and it has to be the passport of the person buying.

Japanese citizens who have lived outside Japan continuously for at least two years are also eligible, subject to showing supporting documents.

People working in Japan or staying six months or more are not eligible. You also can't buy on someone else's behalf or for resale: each traveler buys on their own passport and completes the airport process themselves.

Which purchases qualify for a refund?

Almost anything you take out of Japan, as long as your purchase at that store on that day reaches ¥5,000 before tax. The conditions from November 1, 2026:

1. A purchase of at least ¥5,000 before tax per store per day. In practice you need to pay at least ¥5,500 at the till for goods taxed at 10%. A ¥5,000 total including tax doesn't qualify.
2. The goods must leave Japan with you.
3. Gold and platinum bullion, gold coins and goods that are already tax-exempt are not included.
4. The quantity is limited to what you can carry yourself when you leave.

Consumables (food, drinks, cosmetics, over-the-counter medicines): the special packaging is abolished, but if you consume them in Japan, you won't be eligible for a refund.

Shipping abroad: the option to post the goods abroad yourself was abolished on March 31, 2025. Direct shipping abroad through the store depends on each store's policy, and it counts as an export, so those goods don't go through the airport kiosk.

Luxury goods: for an item priced at ¥1 million or more (before tax), the store records identifying details such as the serial number, and customs may ask for a certificate of authenticity or warranty. Prepare these in advance. The threshold applies per item, not per purchase.

How to shop tax-free in a store: step by step

The in-store process takes a few minutes, and it can't be done later at the airport. If you didn't ask for tax-free at the till, you won't get a refund.

1. Look for a store with a Tax Free sign. Only licensed stores take part. Large department stores usually have a central tax-free counter that handles all of that day's purchases.
2. Show your passport at the till. Your details are recorded electronically and sent to Japan's National Tax Agency system. If you've registered on Visit Japan Web, you can show a QR code with your passport details and save time.
3. Pay the full price including tax. When paying by card, choose to be charged in yen, not shekels, to avoid the terminal's expensive conversion rate.
4. Register your refund method. The store explains how at the time of purchase, sometimes through a QR code or an app.
5. Keep the receipt and all the items on it together. This is critical, as you'll see below. Keep the receipt until the money arrives.

What do you do at the airport when leaving Japan?

Go through a tax-free kiosk with your passport before checking in your luggage. Within 90 days of purchase, show your passport at a Tax Free counter (kiosk or electronic terminal) in the international departures hall.

How are the 90 days counted? The day after purchase is day 1. A purchase on November 1, 2026, for example, must be confirmed by January 30, 2027.

After your passport is scanned, you'll get one of two results:

• Green: no customs inspection is needed, and the process is complete.
• Red: an inspection is required, and you need to bring the goods to the customs inspection area before the refund can be completed.

The process at the kiosk itself takes a few seconds, but if an inspection is required you must show the goods to a customs officer. Some kiosks have an English menu, and staff are on hand to help.

Online option: at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha airports, you can also complete the process through Visit Japan Web, in dedicated areas with Wi-Fi in the departures hall, up to security screening.

Taking a domestic flight before your international one? Complete the process at the airport where you leave Japan on your international flight. Don't check your tax-free purchases in on the domestic flight.

Order of steps on departure day

1. Get to the airport at least 3 hours before an international flight, and 4 hours in busy seasons (cherry blossom, Golden Week at the end of April, late December).
2. Move your tax-free purchases into a separate bag while still at the hotel.
3. Scan your passport at the tax-free kiosk in the departures hall.
4. If you get red, take the goods to the customs officer.
5. Only then check in and drop your bags.

How and when do you get the money?

The money comes after customs confirms, through the method you chose in the store. The refund is paid by the store itself or by a refund provider on its behalf. Possible refund methods include bank transfer, credit card refund, refund through an app, or cash at the port of departure, and they vary from store to store. So ask at the till how you'll receive your refund.

Cash at the airport is fastest, but not every store offers it. A card refund or bank transfer can arrive days to weeks after your flight, and each store refunds on its own schedule. There's no uniform timeline.

The simplest route for Israelis: pay with a credit card in your own name and choose a refund to the same card. That way you don't hand over bank details or download an app for every store.

6 mistakes that will cost you your refund

1. Packing your purchases in a suitcase and checking it in. A bag can't be retrieved once it's been handed to the airline, so you must go through the kiosk before check-in.
2. One item missing from a receipt. The check is done per receipt, and if even one item is missing, every item on that receipt loses its refund eligibility. If you plan to open something, buy it on a separate receipt.
3. Opening the snacks or cosmetics. If you've consumed some of the goods, don't use the kiosk; report it to a customs officer at the counter instead.
4. Arriving at the airport late. If there isn't enough time to finish the process before boarding, you may not get a refund, and neither customs nor the airline will compensate you for a missed flight.
5. Going past 90 days. The refund depends on the check happening within 90 days of the purchase date.
6. Not taking the goods out of Japan after the check. In that case the refunded tax will be collected and a fine imposed.

Tips we've learned

• Group purchases in one store on one day. Big chains count the threshold per branch and per day. Three ¥2,000 purchases on three days get you nothing; one ¥6,000 purchase does.
• Each person buys on their own passport, but don't force it. If the family shop comes to ¥9,000, put it on one passport rather than splitting it across two and dropping below the threshold.
• Separate "opened on the trip" from "going home". Snacks for the hotel on one receipt, sealed souvenirs on another. That's what saves your refund if you open something.
• Check the voltage before buying appliances. Japan uses 100 V and type A sockets; Israel uses 230 V. Phone and laptop chargers usually handle 100 to 240 V, but hair dryers, rice cookers and many kitchen appliances are built for 100 V only.
• Watch out for Japanese-market versions. On phones sold in Japan the camera shutter sound can't be turned off, and some cameras and devices have Japanese-only menus. In the big electronics stores, ask for an international version.
• In department stores, ask the information desk about a tourist coupon. Some department stores offer tourists a discount with a passport, on top of the tax refund.
• Plan for customs when you land in Israel. The duty-free allowance at Ben Gurion is personal and limited (about $200 per traveler for goods that aren't personal effects, as of October 2026). An expensive laptop or camera may mean paying VAT on arrival, and family members can't combine allowances for one item.
• The departure tax is already in your ticket. From July 1, 2026, Japan's departure tax is ¥3,000 per traveler, collected in the airfare. It has nothing to do with tax-free, and you don't pay it at the airport.
• Make sure you have working internet throughout your trip. Registering your refund method, refund provider apps and Visit Japan Web all need a connection. The dedicated airport Wi-Fi only works in certain areas.

Why does mobile data matter for tax-free?

Because much of the new process is digital. At the till you scan a QR code to register your refund method, in the refund provider's app you track your money, and on Visit Japan Web you show your passport details. An eSIM for Japan gives you data from landing at Narita or Kansai to the kiosk on departure day, without hunting for Wi-Fi in the middle of a store. Tourist plans in Japan are usually data-only, and here's why tourists can't get a Japanese phone number. Before you fly, make sure your phone supports eSIM.

For the rest of your trip: our Suica card guide for transport and small purchases, one day in Osaka with the Shinsaibashi and Namba shopping areas, and one day in Kyoto.

Frequently asked questions

Has tax-free shopping in Japan been abolished?

No. It continues, but from November 1, 2026 you pay full price and get the tax back when you leave Japan.

What's the minimum purchase?

¥5,000 before tax, per store per day. In practice that's ¥5,500 at the till for goods taxed at 10%.

Is there a limit on quantity?

The quantity is limited to what you can carry yourself and show to customs on departure. The ¥500,000 cap on consumables has been abolished.

Can I get the refund in cash?

In some cases, yes, at the port of departure, but refund methods vary by store. Ask at the till before you pay.

I shopped in Japan before November 1. Which rules apply to me?

Purchases made until October 31, 2026 follow the old system, meaning tax exemption at the till. Purchases from November 1 onward follow the new refund system, even if you're in the middle of the same trip. If you shopped on both sides of the date, keep the new receipts separately so they're easy to show at the airport kiosk.

How long does the process take at the airport?

Scanning your passport takes seconds, but a customs inspection, if required, makes it longer. Arrive at least 3 hours before your flight.

I forgot the kiosk and checked my bag. What now?

If the goods are already in the hold, you can't show them to customs, and you won't get a refund on those purchases. That's why the kiosk is always your first step at the airport.

Can I buy tax-free for a friend or relative?

No. Each traveler buys on their own passport, takes the goods out personally and completes the airport check. Buying for others or for resale doesn't qualify.

Summary

Tax-free shopping in Japan is still very worthwhile, but from November 1, 2026 it takes planning: keep your receipts, don't open the goods, go through the kiosk before check-in and arrive early. Follow the rules and you get back 10% of the pre-tax price.

Flying to Japan? Stay connected from the moment you land, for navigation, bookings and registering your refund. See FlySim eSIM plans for Japan.

This information is current as of October 31, 2026. The official rules and full FAQ are on the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) website.