Japan's duty-free shopping system for travelers is set to undergo significant changes.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, starting November 1, the consumption tax exemption system for foreign travelers will shift from an immediate duty-free method to a refund system.
The most notable change will occur at the checkout. Duty-free eligible travelers will now need to pay the price that includes consumption tax upfront. After making a purchase, they must confirm with customs that they are taking the items out of Japan within 90 days of the purchase date to receive a refund of the consumption tax.
The refund will not be issued directly by customs. Instead, after customs verification, the refund will be processed by the duty-free shop or a designated refund service provider. The specific refund methods may vary by store.
Departure procedures will also change. Starting in November, travelers will need to undergo customs verification in the general area before security checks. If duty-free items are placed in checked luggage, travelers must complete the necessary procedures before checking their bags.
However, some regulations will be relaxed. The distinction between general goods and consumables will be eliminated, and the special packaging requirement for consumables will be abolished. The duty-free purchase limit remains at 5,000 yen or more per store per day. However, items such as food or cosmetics consumed within Japan will not be eligible for refunds upon departure.
The Japanese government has decided to implement the refund system to prevent abuse of the duty-free system, such as reselling items within Japan. The Ministry of Finance explained that the system will be restructured to ensure that taxes are refunded only after confirming that the items have actually been taken out of the country.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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