What changed on November 1, 2026
Until October 31, 2026, eligible visitors showed their passport and paid the price without consumption tax. For purchases on or after November 1, 2026, Japan switched to the refund method: you pay the tax-included price at the shop, and the tax is returned after customs confirms at your departure that you are taking the goods out of Japan.
| Until Oct 31, 2026 | From Nov 1, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| At the register | Pay tax-free price | Pay full price incl. tax |
| Getting the tax back | Not needed | Refund after customs check at departure |
| General goods vs consumables | Separate categories and rules | One category |
| Sealed bags for consumables | Required | Abolished |
| ¥500,000 cap on consumables | Applied | Abolished |
| Time to take goods out | Within 30 days | Customs check within 90 days of purchase |
How the calculator works
- Group by store and day. Your receipts are combined when the store name and date match. Type the store name the same way each time (capitalization and extra spaces don't matter).
- Check the ¥5,000 minimum. Each store-day total is converted to the tax-excluded amount and compared with the minimum. If you're short, the calculator tells you how much more you'd need to spend.
- Work out the tax. Items at the standard 10% rate return about 1/11 of the price you paid. Food and non-alcoholic drinks at the reduced 8% rate return about 2/27.
- Check timing. If you add your departure date, purchases more than 90 days before it are flagged.
- Subtract any fee. If your shop or its refund service charges a handling fee, enter the percentage to see what actually reaches you.
Quick example
You buy a ¥33,000 camera at an electronics store, then ¥3,300 of skincare (10%) and ¥2,700 of snacks (8%) at a drugstore on the same day. The camera alone is ¥30,000 before tax, so it qualifies and returns ¥3,000. At the drugstore, ¥3,000 + ¥2,500 = ¥5,500 before tax, so the two receipts together qualify and return ¥300 + ¥200. A separate ¥4,990 clothing purchase is only ¥4,536 before tax, so it does not qualify. Press Try an example above to see this worked out.
Before you head to the airport
- Do the tax-free check at the kiosk before you check in your bags. Checked luggage can't be retrieved for the inspection.
- Keep every item from each receipt with you. One missing item cancels the refund for that whole receipt.
- Leave extra time. If customs flags you for inspection (a red result), you'll need to show the goods to an officer.
- Ask the shop how the refund is paid: card, bank transfer, app or cash at the port vary by shop.
Read the full step-by-step guide →
Frequently asked questions
Do I still get tax-free shopping in Japan after November 1, 2026?
Yes. Eligible visitors still get the consumption tax back, but they now pay the full price at the register and receive the tax as a refund after a customs check at the airport or seaport when leaving Japan.
What is the minimum purchase for a tax refund?
¥5,000 or more, tax excluded, at one store on one day. Receipts from the same store on the same day count together. Under the new system there is no separate category for food and cosmetics, so they count toward the same total.
How much will I get back?
Roughly the consumption tax you paid: about 9.1% of a price that includes 10% tax, or about 7.4% of a price that includes 8% tax (food and non-alcoholic drinks). Some shops or refund services may deduct a handling fee.
How long do I have to leave Japan?
The customs check at departure must take place within 90 days of the purchase date.
Can I eat the snacks or use the cosmetics I bought tax-free?
Not if you want the refund. Consumables used in Japan are not eligible, and if any item from a receipt is missing at customs, the whole receipt loses its refund.
Sources: Japan Tourism Agency – Refund Method for travelers, JTA – FAQ for travelers. Rules last checked 2026-10-14.