by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 1:40 PM ET, Thu August 6, 2026
Shopping for souvenirs in Ginza or Sapporo is about to get a little more complicated as Japan introduces changes to its tax-free shopping program for tourists. Currently, non-Japanese shoppers are able to avoid paying taxes on certain items that are being purchased for use outside of Japan, with the exemption made at the point of sale.
Starting Nov. 1, 2026 the program will shift to a refund method. Instead of receiving the tax-free price at the time of purchase, visitors will be required to save their receipts and submit the goods for inspection when exiting Japan and apply for a refund of the applicable taxes.
While submitting to an inspection and applying for a refund may not be as easy as simply not paying the taxes when you make a purchase, there are some other changes coming that will make the process a little more streamlined.
“General goods” and “consumables” will no longer be considered different categories, although if you use the “consumables” in Japan, they still will not be eligible for a refund; you must be taking them out of Japan to qualify. Purchases made within 90 days of your departure from Japan will be eligible for tax-free status, up from the current 30 days.
There are several caveats to the rules. If a visitor is intending to do a lot of shopping and wants to ensure they will get the refund, they should make themselves familiar with the ins and outs of the program. The Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) has a brief YouTube tutorial to help guide visitors on the new program, or consult the JNTO website for more information and FAQs.
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