The process in 4 steps
Shop: pay the tax-included price
At a tax-free shop, show your passport and spend at least ¥5,000 before tax at that shop on the same day. You pay the normal price including tax. The shop sends your purchase record to the tax authority electronically.
Shinsaibashi, Osaka Register how you want to be refunded
The shop or its refund partner explains how the refund is paid (for example to a credit card, a bank account, an app, or in cash at the airport). Methods and fees differ by shop, so ask before you pay.
Tax-free counter, Naha Airport: customs check before you check in bags
Within 90 days of purchase, when you leave Japan, scan your passport at a tax-free kiosk in the departure lobby before handing your luggage to the airline. Green means done. Red means you show the goods to customs.
Haneda Airport, Tokyo Receive the refund
Once customs has confirmed the export, the shop or its refund company pays you the tax amount, minus any handling fee, by the method you chose.
Mt Fuji from the air
Choose your departure airport
Other airports with international flights
Official map
Useful before you fly
Airport transfer when you have a lot of shopping bags
Luggage storage in Tokyo for the hours before an evening flight
The rule that costs people the most money
Do the kiosk check before checking in your suitcase. Airlines will not return a bag that has already been checked in, and you cannot get the refund after the bag is gone.
90-day deadline
Purchases before 1 November fall under the old system: the tax was already taken off at the till, and this 90-day limit does not apply. Bought in October, leaving in November: which tax-free rules apply?
The rule is “within 90 days from the date of purchase”. We show a date one day early so you are covered however the days are counted.
How much tax is in the price?
This is the most you can get back. Refund companies may deduct a handling fee, so the amount you actually receive is usually lower.
Before you go to the airport
- Keep every item you bought tax-free, unopened and unused if it is food, drink or cosmetics.
- Keep the items from one receipt together. If one item is missing, the whole receipt is refused.
- Pack tax-free goods where you can reach them, in case you get a red result.
- Arrive at the airport earlier than usual. Missing your flight because of the refund check is not compensated.
- If you fly domestic first and then international, do the check at the last airport in Japan.
Read next
Get a reminder before you fly
We email you 2 days before your flight: kiosk first, then bag drop, with the 90-day limit for your purchases. One email, no spam.
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