Tax-Free Shopping in Tokyo: What Changes in November 2026

Japan’s tax-free shopping system is changing on November 1, 2026.

If you are visiting Tokyo on or after this date, the biggest difference is simple: you will pay the full price including consumption tax when you shop, and receive the tax refund after completing customs procedures when leaving Japan.

Here’s what travelers need to know.

What Is Changing?

Until October 31, 2026, eligible international visitors can generally purchase tax-free items without paying consumption tax at participating tax-free stores.

From November 1, 2026, Japan will switch to a refund system.

The new process will be:

Buy eligible items at a tax-free store.
Pay the full price including consumption tax.
Present your passport or other required documentation at the store.
Keep the purchased items with you until you leave Japan.
Complete the tax-free customs procedure when departing Japan.
After customs confirms that the items are being taken out of Japan, the refund will be processed by the tax-free store or its designated refund provider. The timing and method of the refund may vary by store.

You Must Take the Items Out of Japan

Under the new system, customs must be able to confirm that your tax-free purchases are leaving Japan with you.

You must leave Japan within 90 days of the purchase date.

Make sure you still have the purchased items when completing the customs procedure.

If you plan to put tax-free items in your checked luggage, complete the required tax-free procedure before checking your luggage.

What Happens at the Airport?

Before checking in your luggage, go to the Tax-Free Procedure Terminal in the general departure area before security.

Scan your passport at the terminal. If no customs inspection is required, your tax-free customs procedure is complete.

If an inspection is required, follow the instructions and take your tax-free purchases to the designated customs inspection area.

Complete this procedure before checking any luggage containing tax-free purchases, as customs may need to inspect the items.

At major airports including Haneda and Narita, travelers may also be able to use Visit Japan Web in designated areas of the international departure lobby instead of using a Tax-Free Procedure Terminal.

Allow extra time at the airport, especially if you have made several tax-free purchases.

The ¥5,000 Minimum Still Applies

Tax-free purchases must total at least ¥5,000 before tax at the same store on the same day.

This minimum does not disappear under the new refund system.

No More Special Sealed Bags for Consumables

Another major change concerns consumable items such as:

• Food
• Drinks
• Cosmetics
• Medicine

The special sealed packaging currently used for tax-free consumables will be abolished from November 1, 2026.

However, this does not mean you can use or consume these products in Japan and still receive the tax refund.

If you eat, drink, use, or consume the items while in Japan, they will not be eligible for the tax refund.

The ¥500,000 Limit for Consumables Is Being Removed

Under the current system, tax-free consumable purchases are generally limited to ¥500,000 per store per day.

From November 1, 2026, this upper limit will be abolished.

The distinction between general goods and consumable goods will also be removed for this purpose.

The minimum purchase amount of ¥5,000 before tax will remain.

Keep Your Purchases Accessible

Don’t bury tax-free purchases at the bottom of a checked suitcase before completing the departure procedure.

Customs may need to verify that you actually have the items you purchased.

For expensive purchases of ¥1 million or more before tax, customs may also request documents such as certificates of authenticity or warranties.

LOCAL TIP

If you plan to do a lot of tax-free shopping in Tokyo, keep your purchases together and easy to access until you have completed the customs procedure.

Also, don’t leave the airport procedure until the last minute. The new system makes customs confirmation an important part of receiving your refund.

Quick Summary

From November 1, 2026:

• You pay the tax-inclusive price when shopping.
• You complete the tax-free procedure when leaving Japan.
• The tax refund is processed after customs confirms the goods are leaving Japan.
• You must leave Japan within 90 days of purchase.
• The ¥5,000 minimum purchase amount remains.
• Special sealed packaging for consumables is abolished.
• Consumables used or consumed in Japan are not eligible for a refund.
• The previous ¥500,000 upper limit for consumables is abolished.

The new system may feel different at first, but knowing the process before you shop can make tax-free shopping in Tokyo much easier.