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Japan tax refunds: A complete guide to tax-free shopping

Traveloka Team

31 Oct 2024 - 5 min read

From innovative home goods, J-beauty favourites, adorable trinkets, to exclusive Japanese snacks that are too good to leave behind, the shopping scene in Japan is truly unmatched.

It’ll be hard to resist adding a few (or a lot) of these Japanese goodies to your cart. And what’s better than having a shopping spree? Having a shopping spree tax-free, of course!

As an international traveller, you may be eligible for a Japan tax refund on certain purchases.

Keen to learn more? Consider this your ultimate guide to tax refunds in Japan.

Are Australians eligible for tax refunds in Japan?

Yes, Australians are usually eligible! Before you start spending large, make sure you’re definitely set to get that sweet, sweet tax refund.

Non-residents and international travellers (including Australians)

Non-residents and international travellers who have spent less than 6 months in Japan can qualify for tax refunds. You’ll need to be on the following visa types:

Temporary Visitor’s Visa

Diplomat Visa

Official Visa

Japanese nationals temporarily returning to Japan

Surprisingly, Japanese nationals can request tax refunds, too! If you have resided outside the country for more than two years and have returned to Japan briefly (less than six months), you’ll qualify.

However, you must provide evidence of your residence abroad. You can do so by presenting the following:

A Residency Certificate from the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General located in your country. (Australia, there are consulates in most major cities in Australia)

A copy of the Family Register Certificate from the Administrative Service Corner located at your registered permanent address in Japan.

What items are eligible for a tax refund?

Not everything you buy in Japan qualifies for tax exemption, so it’s crucial to know which products are eligible beforehand. There are two main categories for eligible goods: general goods and consumables.

General Goods

Minimum Spending: To be eligible for a tax refund, you must purchase at least JPY 5,000 (excluding tax) of general merchandise at a single store on the same day.

General goods are essentially items you use in your daily life, like clothes, accessories, watches, electronics, souvenirs, and more.

You must take these products (unused and unopened) from Japan within six months of your arrival date.

Consumables

Minimum Spending Requirement: To qualify, you must purchase from JPY 5,000 to JPY 500,000 (excluding tax) at a single location on consumables in a single day.

Consumables include food, beverages, beauty products, medicine, and other consumable items.

For consumables, packaging of products are to be done in store by a qualified sales assistant (usually in a tamper-proof clear bag), and you must take these products with you within 30 days from the date of purchase.

Non-Eligible Items

The below items are not eligible for a tax refund in Japan:

Dining and meals

Transport costs

Accommodation, tours, experiences

Shipping fees

How much do you need to spend to get a tax refund in Japan?

For general goods, you must spend a minimum of 5,000 yen (excluding tax) in one store, in one transaction, on the same day. For consumables, you must spend a minimum of 5,000 yen to a maximum of 500,000 yen in one single transaction and store, on the same day.

How much is Japan’s VAT?

Japan’s VAT is 10% – so, for every 100 yen, you’ll save 10 yen in consumption tax.

Where to apply for a Japan tax refund

Once your shopping cart is filled to the brim with your favourite J-beauty buys at your nearest Don Quixote or Cosme store, or you’ve shopped ‘til you’ve dropped at Muji and GU, just head to the counter. That’s right, you may not even need to leave the shop to get your money back! Oftentimes, there is a separate tax-refund counter that you need to go to, but just ask the friendly staff in store if you’re unsure. Just make sure they know you’re wanting to shop tax-free and have your physical passport ready to help team members in store complete the process.

If you’re shopping at large department stores, the Foreign Customer Service Counter will handle tax refunds. You can find this counter generally on the second floor of department stores like Takashiyama or Daimaru. Remember, your tax refund must be processed on the same day your purchase, so give ample time to complete this at the counters before the day ends or the department store closes.

When shopping tax-free in Japan, just look out for the official “Japan Tax Free Shop” logo in store, or ask a staff member if you’re unsure.

Can I claim a tax refund at the airport in Japan?

At the moment, tax is deducted immediately at the stores that are eligible for tax-free shopping. However, From 1 November 2026 onwards, Japan is implementing a new tax refund process which means tax refunds will no longer be processed in stores, instead, it will be processed after customs at the airport.

Step-by-step guide to Japan tax refunds

Now you’ve gotten your head around what can and cannot be purchased tax-free, let’s go through the process step-by-step to ensure tax-free shopping in Japan is a breeze.

Head to a tax-free shop: Find a shop with the “Japan Tax Free Shop” logo (or ask a staff member) to ensure the retailer is registered to provide you with the glorious tax-free shopping experience.

Shop ‘til you drop: Make sure you’re meeting the minimum spend thresholds outlined above for consumables and general goods & start heading to the counter.

Go to a tax-free counter: Some stores have separate counters to process tax-free sales, so make sure you’re lining up in the correct queue. Otherwise, in larger stores like Don Quiote, all counters can process tax-free sales.

Keep your passports at the ready: Make sure you have your physical passport with you to complete the tax-free sales process. If you’re a Japanese national living overseas, you’ll need to show your residency certificate.

Don’t lose your receipts: Once it’s all scanned and paid for, ensure you keep your receipts with you until you’ve left the country.

Keep your consumables sealed: If you’re bringing back food or cosmetics, they will be placed in a clear tamper-proof bag that you can’t open until you’ve left Japan. If you’re buying cosmetic products that have a volume bigger than 100ml, it might be worthwhile to ask the staff to pack these separate to smaller items.This way, you’ll have the choice to pack smaller items in your carry-on and the bigger items that must be checked-in, in your checked luggage.

Japan Tax Refund Tips:

To ensure a seamless experience when receiving your tax refund, steer clear of these frequent mistakes:

Have your physical passport with you: A photo of your passport just won’t do. To be eligible for a tax refund keep your physical passport handy.

Calculate your minimum spend: Avoid the hassle of going back and forth (or holding up the line) when you realise you’ve haven’t hit the minimum 5,000 yen spend threshold.

Time is of the essence: As mentioned, sometimes tax refunds are processed at different counters. Ensure you’re lining up in the right queue, and give yourself plenty of time to go through the tax-refund process during the store’s business hours. Nothing is worse than realising the counter has closed before you’ve even lined up.

There’s no better place for retail therapy than Japan. And Japan’s popular tax-free shopping experience is on a whole other level. And with your new-found knowledge of the entire Japan tax refund process, you’ll be shopping (tax-free) in Japan no time.

Are you excited to organise your upcoming shopping trip to Japan? Secure the best flights and hotels through Traveloka. With unbeatable offers and a seamless experience, watch as your savings go beyond beauty products and souvenirs.