Japan tax-free shopping calculator
Enter what you bought at one store on one day. See whether it qualifies and how much consumption tax you save or get refunded.
What changes on November 1, 2026
| Bought by October 31, 2026 | Bought from November 1, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| At the store | You pay the price without tax | You pay the full price with tax |
| Minimum | ¥5,000 before tax in each category (general goods, consumables) | ¥5,000 before tax, all goods combined |
| Limits | Consumables up to ¥500,000 and sealed in a special bag | No upper limit, no special bag, any purpose (not gold bullion or coins) |
| Deadline | Take the goods out when you leave Japan | Leave and get customs confirmation within 90 days of purchase |
| Refund | None needed | Paid by the store or its refund agent after customs confirms; fees may apply |
The rule that applies depends on the purchase date, not the day you leave. Goods bought tax-free by October 31, 2026 stay under the old rules even if you leave Japan later.
Official sources
In Japanese. Last checked on October 6, 2026; we check these pages for changes every day.
- National Tax Agency: Q&A on the refund system (overview)
- National Tax Agency: Q&A on the refund system (detailed)
- National Tax Agency: Q&A on the current system
- Japan Tourism Agency: FAQ for travelers
- Japan Tourism Agency: FAQ for stores
- National Tax Agency: standard and reduced tax rates
- National Tax Agency: International Tourist Tax
How it works
Japan includes consumption tax in shelf prices: 10% on most goods, 8% on food and non-alcoholic drinks (alcohol is 10%). The calculator takes the tax-included prices you paid and works out the tax inside them, rounding down to the yen. Stores may round item by item, so their figure can differ by a few yen.
The ¥5,000 minimum is judged on the price before tax, per person, per store, per day. Some shopping centers have a shared tax-free counter that can combine several shops; ask there.
Only visitors with a temporary visitor status (and a few other statuses) qualify, and you must show your passport with its landing stamp, or the Visit Japan Web QR code. Japanese citizens qualify only after living abroad for two years or more, with documents.
From November 1, 2026 the store charges the full price and refunds the tax after customs confirms you took the goods out of Japan. The law does not fix the refund method or fees; the store or its refund agent decides, and the fee may be taken from your refund. Ask the store before you pay.
Separately, everyone leaving Japan pays a departure tax of ¥3,000 per departure (since July 1, 2026), usually included in the airfare.