16 Points to Make Sure You Receive Your Tax Refund
Note: Japan's refund-based Tax-Free system (pay the tax-inclusive price first, then receive a refund after customs confirmation) starts on November 1, 2026. Until October 31, 2026, the current Tax-Free system (tax-excluded price at the register) continues. The answers below describe the system from November 1, 2026 unless stated otherwise.
The consumption tax is no longer deducted at the time of purchase; it is refunded after you leave Japan.
If you make a mistake in the procedure, you may not receive your refund.
Check the conditions under which a refund cannot be received, so that you can be sure to get yours.
Refund registration2
Forgetting to register a refund destination (1)
To receive a consumption tax refund on goods bought at a tax-free shop, you need to register a refund destination.
Forgetting to register a refund destination (2)
Japan has several TROs (Tax Refund Operators), and different tax-free shops may use different TROs.
Using and keeping tax-free goods3
Consuming tax-free goods in Japan
Goods consumed in Japan are not eligible for tax exemption.
Not having all items on the receipt
Under Japan’s tax-free system, you must have the goods you bought tax-free with you when customs checks them at departure.
Giving away, consuming or losing goods after the customs confirmation
Under Japan’s tax-free system, goods that went through the customs confirmation at departure must be taken out of Japan.
Procedures at departure4
Checking in your baggage before the customs confirmation
Under Japan’s tax-free system, you must have all the goods you bought tax-free with you when you go through the customs confirmation at departure.
Not completing the procedure at the airport or port you depart from
Under Japan’s tax-free system, you must go through the customs confirmation with all the goods you bought tax-free when you leave Japan.
Arriving late at the port or airport
Under Japan’s tax-free system, you must go through the customs confirmation at the airport or port when you leave Japan.
Leaving Japan more than 90 days after purchase
Under Japan’s tax-free system, going through the customs confirmation and leaving Japan within 90 days of the purchase date is a mandatory condition for receiving the consumption tax refund.
When you buy4
Buying more than you can carry out yourself
Under Japan’s tax-free system, a condition for tax exemption is that the purchaser has all the goods with them at departure and that the quantity is one they can take out of Japan.
Delayed or incomplete data transmission by the shop
Under Japan’s tax-free system, information on the goods you bought (the purchase record) is registered in the National Tax Agency’s system, and the customs confirmation at departure is based on that information.
Missing information on high-value items
Under Japan’s tax-free system, for items with a unit price of 1 million yen or more excluding tax, detailed information to identify the item — such as the brand name, model number, features and serial number — must be registered.
Mailing goods abroad yourself
Under Japan’s tax-free system, goods bought tax-free must be carried out of Japan by the purchaser when leaving.
Other points3
Not reporting a reissued passport
If you lose your passport during your stay in Japan and have a new one issued, take care with the tax-free procedure when you leave.
Goods that cannot be identified
Under Japan’s tax-free system, customs must be able to match the goods you bought with the purchase record at the customs confirmation.
Refund registration deadline passed
Under Japan’s tax-free system, even if you completed the customs confirmation at departure, you cannot receive the consumption tax refund unless a refund destination is registered.
This page is general reference information based on Japan's refund-based Tax-Free system starting November 1, 2026. Procedures and rules may differ by store, refund provider, airport or port, and may change. Please check the latest information with the Japanese government or the store where you shop.