JP Tax Refund

Haneda Airport Terminal 3 · Photo: MaedaAkihiko (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Claiming your tax refund at the airport

Under the new system the customs check is what makes your purchase tax-free. It happens at the airport or seaport where you leave Japan, and it must be finished before you check in your luggage.

On this page
  1. What happens at the airport
  2. Where to go at each airport
  3. Online check with Visit Japan Web (7 airports)
  4. Special cases
  5. Timing tips

What happens at the airport

  1. Find the tax-free kiosk

    Tax-free kiosks or electronic terminals are in the international departure lobby, before the airline baggage drop. The customs inspection area is next to them.

  2. Scan your passport

    Have all the goods you bought tax-free with you. Scanning takes a few seconds and the screen shows whether an inspection is needed.

  3. Green: you are done

    No inspection is needed. The customs check is complete and you can check in your bags.

  4. Red: show your goods to customs

    Go to the customs inspection area and show the items. Allow extra time for this. If you give up the inspection to catch your flight, the check does not count.

  5. Take the goods out of Japan

    After the check, you must take the goods abroad without delay. If you do not, the tax is collected from you and penalties can apply.

Where to go at each airport

At every airport the tax-free kiosks are in the international departure lobby, before the airline bag drop. Exact spots are published airport by airport; this is what is official so far.

Kansai International Airport (KIX)

Official map

Terminal 1, 4th floor (international departures)

ABCDEFGH↓ Entrance side
KIX Terminal 1, 4th floor (simplified)
  • Tax-free kiosks
  • Customs inspection
  • Wi-Fi area for Visit Japan Web
  • Check-in islands
  • Kiosks stand at two spots on the entrance side of the check-in hall: in front of check-in island B and in front of island E.
  • Customs staff and the customs inspection area are right next to each kiosk spot. Go there if the kiosk shows red.
  • The Wi-Fi area for the Visit Japan Web online check covers the whole check-in hall, islands A to H.

Terminal 2 (low-cost terminal, used by Peach; check your ticket for the terminal)

SecurityCheck-in lobby
KIX Terminal 2 (simplified)
  • Four kiosks in the check-in lobby, at the end next to the security checkpoint.
  • The customs inspection area is beside the kiosks.
  • The Wi-Fi area for the online check covers the check-in lobby.

Osaka Customs recommends the Visit Japan Web method on your phone because the kiosks may have queues.

Official guide with maps (Osaka Customs, PDF) · customs.go.jp

Narita (NRT) · Haneda (HND) · Chubu Centrair (NGO) · Fukuoka (FUK) · New Chitose (CTS) · Naha (OKA)

Not published yet

No official map yet. Look for the tax-free kiosks in the international departure lobby before the bag drop. The Visit Japan Web online check can be used at these airports.

Other airports and seaports

The kiosk or electronic terminal is in the international departure area, before you hand over baggage. At seaports, use the terminal at the last Japanese port before handing over baggage. Ask airport or port staff if you cannot find it.

Cash refund counters

Customs does not pay refunds. Any cash counter at the airport is run by the shop’s refund company, and none has published its counter locations yet.

Checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. We add each airport as soon as its official map is out.

Online check with Visit Japan Web (7 airports)

At Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu (Centrair), Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha you can also do the check online with Visit Japan Web instead of a kiosk. It works only inside the area covered by the dedicated Wi-Fi in the international departure lobby, up to the security check.

Special cases

Your tripWhere to do the check
Domestic flight, then international flightAt the last airport in Japan, where you actually leave the country
Cruise departing from Japan to a foreign port (not returning)At the last Japanese port, before handing over baggage, using the electronic terminal
Cruise from Japan that visits other countries and returns to Japan, then you fly homeAt the airport you fly home from. Nothing to do when the ship leaves Japan.
Item costing ¥1,000,000 or more (before tax) eachSame kiosk, but bring the certificate or warranty card in case customs asks for it

Timing tips

  • Arrive earlier than you normally would, especially in the first weeks of the new system.
  • Do the check before queuing for baggage drop, not after.
  • Pack tax-free goods together near the top of your bag or in your hand luggage.
  • If you consumed any food, drink or cosmetics from a receipt, do not use the kiosk for that receipt. Tell the customs officer at the counter.