In Japan, Foreign tourists can enjoy tax free shopping. It is called the Consumption Tax Exemption for Foreign Visitors. Eligible foreign tourists can receive a refund of the consumption tax (shouhizei in JP)paid on certain goods and services during their stay in Japan.
Here are the main eligibility criteria for the tax exemption program (tax free shopping) in Japan.
Non-resident status and temporary stay
you must be a non-resident of Japan. Japanese residents, including foreign nationals with resident status, are not eligible for the tax exemption.
You must be staying in Japan for less than six months only.
Non-resident Japanese nationals may be eligible to apply for tax exemption. If you are a Japanese national and use tax-free shops, you will also need to present a copy of your supplementary family register or residency certificate.
Please see below for further information regarding tax free shopping.
Notice to Foreign Travelers who purchase Tax Free Items by National Tax Agency Japan
When are you not eligible for tax-free shopping?
If you have used the automated immigration gates at the airport, without receiving an entry stamp on your passport
If you have stayed in Japan for more than 6 months
If you are working in Japan
If you do not meet the purchase amount requirements or other conditions
Eligible items
Firstly, tax-free products in Japan refer to items purchased by non-Japanese residents for personal use and to be taken out of the country.
General goods
Home appliances, bags, shoes, clothing, traditional kimonos, watches, jewelry, handcrafts, etc.
the minimum total purchases at the same store on the same day should reach at least 5,000 yen (excluding tax).
Consumable goods (sealed packaging)
Food, cosmetics, beverages, medicines, fruits, etc.
The total purchase amount in the same store on the same day should be between 5,000 and 500,000 yen (excluding tax).
Additionally, if a department store or shopping center has a "unified tax-free counter," you can enjoy tax-free shopping if the combined purchase amount from multiple stores reaches 5,000 yen (excluding tax) or more. However, please note that there may be exceptions based on the classification of tax-free items, even if the purchase amount meets the requirements.
Can I open the tax-free packaging?
Usually, stores will pack your purchased "consumables" in a duty-free ziplock bag (with a label seal affixed to the seal) or a cardboard box, which must not be opened before taking them out of Japan, otherwise customs may charge you consumption tax on the goods.
It's important to note that the purchase prices of consumable goods and general goods cannot be combined to meet the tax-free threshold. Only consumable goods or general goods with a purchase price of 5,000 yen (excluding tax) or more are eligible for tax exemption.
However, if general goods are packaged in the same way as consumable goods, which means they cannot be opened or used within Japan, their prices can be combined with consumable goods for tax-free eligibility.
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