Japan Tax Refund Rules 2026: Step-by-Step Guide from November 1 and Kansai Airport Departure

Updated: November 1, 2026 | Compiled by 龍行国際観光株式会社 (Ryuko Japan Transfer)From November 1, 2026, Japan's tax-free shopping system for visitors changes to pay the tax-inclusive price first, then receive a refund after export confirmation (the refund method). You must still complete tax-free purchase registration at the shop. Before leaving Japan, Customs must confirm that you are exporting the goods; the shop or its refund provider then handles the refund. This guide follows the journey from shopping to departure.

1. What changes under the new system?

The purchase date determines which system applies, not just the flight date. Purchases on October 31 and November 1 may fall under different systems even if you leave on the same day. Keep records for each purchase.

2. Who is eligible, and how much must you spend?

Ordinary visitors generally need to be eligible non-residents, for example foreign tourists entering with Temporary Visitor status. A foreign passport does not automatically establish eligibility: people living, working or studying in Japan cannot use the visitor system merely because they hold a foreign passport or take a trip abroad. Shops verify eligibility under official rules. Japanese nationals living overseas have separate evidence requirements. The basic threshold is that one purchaser buys eligible goods at the same tax-free shop on the same day, totalling at least JPY 5,000 before tax. Receipts from different shops generally cannot be combined by the customer. Ask staff about special combined arrangements such as department-store central counters. Removal of the consumables cap does not mean unlimited purchases: you must actually possess and export the goods yourself. Hotel, restaurant and private charter service charges are outside this shopping refund scheme.

3. Shopping day: register at the shop before paying

1. Check that the shop supports the new Tax-Free system. Ordinary tax-inclusive shopping does not automatically become a refundable purchase.
2. Present your passport and other required documents yourself. Where you are eligible and the shop supports it, the Visit Japan Web tax-free shopping QR code can be used. Carry your original passport as well.
3. Check the purchase details and pay the tax-inclusive price. The shop sends the purchase record to the tax-free sales management system.
4. Ask how the refund will work. Confirm any additional registration, available payout methods, expected timing, fees and enquiry contact. Arrangements differ between shops and providers.
5. Keep receipts and refund documents. Store them separately by shop and photograph important details for reference.

Useful phrase: 「返金方法と、手数料・返金時期を教えてください。」 — Please explain the refund method, fees and expected refund timing.

4. During your trip: do not consume or give away goods you intend to claim for

The end of special sealed packaging does not allow food, drinks, medicines or cosmetics consumed in Japan to remain eligible for a refund. Consuming all or part of a consumable purchase may prevent export confirmation. Using non-consumables such as cameras or clothing in Japan does not necessarily disqualify them, provided you export them and they can be identified as the purchased goods. Keep packaging, model details and identifying information.If goods have been consumed or are no longer in your possession, tell Customs staff rather than declaring that you are carrying everything. Shipping goods yourself through EMS or similar services does not allow a shipping receipt to replace personal export confirmation. Compliant direct overseas shipping arranged by a shop is a separate procedure to confirm at purchase.

5. Departure day: complete the procedure before baggage check-in

Suggested order: arrive at the airport with all goods → Customs confirmation → present goods for inspection if required → confirmation completed → check in baggage and continue departure procedures.This avoids having goods checked in when Customs asks to see them. Follow airport, airline and Customs instructions. Two methods are available: scan your passport at a dedicated tax-free procedure terminal at an airport or seaport, or use Visit Japan Web and the dedicated procedure Wi-Fi at a supported airport. The phone method is not available at every airport and cannot be completed early over ordinary mobile data at your hotel or in the car.

Phone procedure: Kansai and other supported airports

1. Register on Visit Japan Web in advance. Enter passport and landing permission information as requested.
2. At the departure airport's designated area, connect to the dedicated procedure Wi-Fi. Check the official Customs airport map and on-site signs for the SSID and coverage area. Ordinary airport Wi-Fi may not be the procedure network.
3. Sign in to Visit Japan Web and select the tax refund procedure.
4. Check your purchase records and tap Confirm. Verify that the records are yours. Contact the shop if a purchase is missing or an amount is incorrect.
5. Read the result and deal with records requiring inspection. Do not leave immediately after tapping the button.

At this update, the officially listed airports supporting online procedures are Kansai, Narita, Haneda, Chubu, New Chitose, Fukuoka and Naha. The online Customs procedure interface currently supports English only. If you cannot operate it, your battery is flat or the network fails, scan your passport at a dedicated terminal instead. Visit Japan Web registration is not required to use the terminal.

Understanding the result: green completed, red inspection required

• Completed: Customs confirmation is complete. Follow the shop's instructions for the refund.
• Not Completed: The procedure is incomplete. Take your passport and relevant goods to the designated Customs inspection point. Without completing the required inspection, those records cannot be refunded.
• Not approved or expired: The goods may not have been confirmed in your possession, or the deadline may have passed. The relevant record is not eligible for a refund.

Use History to check each record's status. If a record is missing, first check whether it has moved to History; if still missing, ask the shop whether it sent the record. Do not mistake your arrival declaration on Visit Japan Web for completion of departure tax refund procedures.

6. How is the 90-day deadline calculated?

Customs confirmation must take place when departing within 90 days of purchase. Counting starts on the day after purchase. The official example gives January 30 of the following year as the deadline for a November 1 purchase. This is the deadline for Customs confirmation; it does not guarantee refund arrival within 90 days or extend your permitted stay. Purchases made on different dates have separate deadlines. If you take a domestic flight before an international departure, complete the procedure at the airport where you actually leave Japan. For through-checked baggage, domestic-to-international connections or special baggage arrangements, consult the airline and Customs before handing over your luggage so the goods can still be presented.

7. How is the refund paid, and how much can you receive?

After receiving Customs confirmation information, the shop or its provider refunds the consumption-tax equivalent under its arrangements. Payment may be through a card, bank or app. Not all travellers receive cash at the airport, and there is no nationwide fixed payout time. Follow the method, fees and timing confirmed at purchase. Contact the shop or designated provider about missing refunds.

8. Checklist before your Kansai Airport transfer

• Keep your passport, flight documents and purchase records accessible.
• Bring all goods claimed for and organise them by shop or receipt for inspection.
• Charge your phone and confirm that you can sign in to Visit Japan Web.
• Check the terminal's dedicated terminals, procedure Wi-Fi and Customs inspection location.
• Allow for queues, unpacking for inspection and baggage check-in when planning airport arrival.
• Keep the shop's refund contact and continue checking progress after departure.

Ryuko reminder: the routes through Kansai Airport Terminals 1 and 2 may differ. Use Japan Customs' official airport/terminal location guide to check your departure location. When booking an airport transfer, tell us you need tax refund procedures and provide passenger and luggage counts so departure time can be planned. After the vehicle reaches the airport, the purchaser must complete Customs confirmation personally. Related travel information: Kansai Airport transfers, terminals and luggage guide. Contact Ryuko Japan Transfer through the official website for airport transfers or itinerary planning.

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Official sources and update notes

This guide is based on National Tax Agency and Japan Customs information available on November 1, 2026. Domestic tax-free shopping and Duty-Free shopping in airport departure areas have different rules and procedures. This article focuses on the new refund process for purchases at tax-free shops in Japan. Equipment, terminal routes and shop refund arrangements can change; follow the latest official guidance and the information given at purchase.

• National Tax Agency | New refund system, Q&A and Chinese notices
• National Tax Agency | Chinese online Customs confirmation guide (source of article images)
• National Tax Agency | Online procedure FAQ in Chinese
• Japan Customs | Departure tax refund procedures