Quick answer: Japan’s tax-free shopping system is changing on November 1, 2026. Until then, tax is deducted at the register like normal (the current “immediate exemption” system). From November 1, 2026 onward, everyone pays the tax-inclusive price at the store and claims the consumption tax back at the airport when leaving Japan (a “pay first, refund later” system). Which rules apply to you depends on whether your shopping happens before or after that date.
Old System vs. New System
This is based on the government’s announced 2026 reform as of publication. Since the new system had not yet launched at the time of writing, confirm current procedures with the store and at the airport closer to your travel date.
| Before Nov 1, 2026 (current system) | From Nov 1, 2026 (new system) | |
|---|---|---|
| When tax is removed | At the register, immediately | Not removed at purchase — refunded later at the airport |
| Minimum purchase | ¥5,000 (before tax), per store per day | ¥5,000 (before tax), per store per day — unchanged |
| Item categories | Split into “general goods” and “consumables,” each with separate rules and caps | Categories merged — all eligible items combine toward the ¥5,000 threshold |
| Sealed packaging | Required for consumables (food, cosmetics, medicine) | Abolished — no more sealed bags for consumables |
| What you must do | Show your passport at checkout; exemption applied instantly | Pay full price, then complete an export/refund procedure at the airport before departure |
| Refund method | N/A (already tax-free at purchase) | Refunded to your registered credit card, e-money, or bank account after departure is confirmed |
| Purchase window | 30 days (consumables) / 6 months (general goods) before departure | Up to 90 days before departure, for all items |
What You’ll Need to Bring
Regardless of which system applies to your trip, bring your passport — both systems require it to register your purchase as a tax-free sale. Under the new post-November system, your purchases are also recorded digitally at the time of sale and linked to your passport/travel record, so you’ll need to complete an export confirmation (via an airport terminal or the Visit Japan Web service) before checking in for your flight, not after.
Practical tips for 2026:
- If your trip straddles November 1, keep receipts and be ready to follow either process depending on the purchase date — ask the store which system is in effect on the day you buy.
- Under the new system, since the refund isn’t instant, budget the tax-inclusive price into your spending at the register — the refund arrives after you’ve left Japan.
- Bring the items you bought to the airport yourself; under the new system, shipping tax-free purchases separately (e.g., having a store mail them home) is not compatible with claiming the refund.
- Arrive at the airport with extra time if you’re claiming a refund on multiple purchases — the export confirmation step happens before security/check-in, not after.
FAQ
- Does the ¥5,000 threshold include consumption tax? No — it’s calculated on the pre-tax price, and this stays the same under both systems.
- What happens if I forget to complete the refund procedure before departure? Under the new system, the refund is tied to completing export confirmation at the airport before you leave — skipping this step generally means forfeiting the refund, so don’t leave it for the last minute.
- Do I need a passport stamp, or is the digital record enough? Airlines and stores are moving toward digital verification (e.g., Visit Japan Web), but it’s still wise to carry your physical passport, since some retailers may rely on it directly.
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