Refund JapanThis page is written for English-speaking travellers going to Japan.
Which system applies to your trip
It is decided purchase by purchase, by the date on the receipt. Here is how to work out which of your shopping falls where.
The date that decides it is the date you buy
Not the date you arrive, not the date you fly out. Each purchase is governed by the rules in force on the day the purchase was made.
| You bought it on | What happens at the till | What you do at the airport |
|---|---|---|
| Any day up to October 31, 2026 | The shop takes the 10% off the price | Nothing, for that purchase |
| November 1, 2026 or later | You pay the tax-included price | Let the customs terminal confirm it |
A trip can straddle both
If you are in Japan across the changeover, some of your shopping will be handled one way and some the other. A purchase made on October 30 does not become a refund because you fly home on November 5 — the tax already came off at the till.
There is no transition period and no overlap. October 31 is the last day of the old system.
The 90 days run per purchase
Under the new system you have 90 days from the purchase date to leave Japan and complete the customs step. Each purchase starts its own clock, so a long trip with shopping spread across it has several clocks running at once — and it is the earliest one that binds.
