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Japan Tax Refund Calculator 2026

You’ll see 免税 menzei: tax-free, on shop signs

From November 2026, the instant tax-free system ends. You'll pay 10% tax upfront everywhere and reclaim it at the airport. Calculate your refund here.

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Some stores keep a fee from the refund. Ask at the tax-free counter.
Quick answer

Until October 31, 2026: tourists can shop tax-free instantly at participating stores by showing their passport. The consumption tax (消費税: 10%, or 8% on food and drinks) is removed at the point of sale. The minimum qualifying purchase is ¥5,000 (before tax) at a single store in one day.

From November 1, 2026: the instant tax-free system ends. You pay the tax-inclusive price, then at departure Japan Customs confirms you are taking the goods out (at kiosks in the departure lobby, before baggage check-in). The store then refunds the tax by bank transfer, card, app or cash at the airport, depending on the store. Export must be confirmed within 90 days of purchase.

Refund = tax-inclusive price × 10/110 (about 9.09%) for general goods, or × 8/108 (about 7.41%) for food and drinks. ¥50,000 of general goods returns ¥4,545. Goods used up in Japan and services (hotels, restaurants, transport) do not qualify. Some stores deduct a handling fee they set themselves, so you can receive less than this.

Big Change: November 1, 2026
Before Nov 2026: show passport at checkout → instant tax-free price.
After Nov 2026: pay the full price → Customs confirms export at departure (before check-in) → the store refunds you. Export must be confirmed within 90 days of purchase.

More about Japan tax refunds

Why you may get less than the full 10% back

Two things make the refund smaller than “10%”. First, prices in Japan include the tax, so the tax is 10/110 of what you paid (about 9.09%), or 8/108 (about 7.41%) on food and non-alcoholic drinks. Second, some stores keep a handling fee.

The Japan Tourism Agency says the refund is paid by each tax-free store or the refund operator it contracts with, and tells travelers to ask the store for details. No national fee rate is published. One example: Loft's own tax-free page states a 1.55% commission on tax-free goods, deducted from the refund.

Worked example: ¥55,000 of general goods (¥50,000 + ¥5,000 tax). With no fee you get ¥5,000 back. With a 1.55% fee on the ¥50,000 price (¥775), you get ¥4,225, about 7.7% of what you paid. Enter the store's fee above to see your own figure.

Japan Tax-Free Shopping Guide 2026First Time in Japan: 10 Safety Tips

Frequently asked questions

How much is the tax refund in Japan?
The refund is the consumption tax included in the price: 10/110 of the tax-included price (about 9.09%) for general goods, or 8/108 (about 7.41%) for food and non-alcoholic drinks. ¥50,000 of general goods returns ¥4,545. Some stores deduct a handling fee that they set themselves, so you can receive less.
What is the Japan tax refund rate?
Japan’s consumption tax is 10%, or 8% on food and non-alcoholic drinks. Because prices include the tax, the refund is about 9.09% (or 7.41%) of what you paid, before any store handling fee. The minimum is ¥5,000 excluding tax at one store.
What goods qualify for a tax refund?
Most goods for personal use qualify: clothing, electronics, cosmetics, food and souvenirs. Services (hotels, restaurants, transport) and goods used up in Japan do not. Until October 31, 2026 consumables must stay sealed; from November 1, 2026 the sealing rule, the ¥500,000 consumables cap and the general/consumables split are abolished.
What receipts do I need to keep?
Under the new (post-Nov 2026) system, the store records your purchase against your passport, so keep your receipts and bring the goods and your passport to the Customs kiosk at departure. For items of ¥1,000,000 or more, product details are recorded.
How long does the airport refund process take?
Customs confirms export at kiosks in the departure lobby before baggage check-in, so do it before you drop your bags. The refund itself is paid afterwards by the store. Waiting times are not officially published; leave extra time at busy airports.
Can I get the refund in foreign currency?
The refund method is set by each store: bank transfer, credit card, a payment app, or cash at the airport. Card and bank refunds may be converted into your home currency by your card issuer or bank.
Sources · 5 official pages · checked September 24, 2026
  1. National Tax Agency — Overview of the tax-free refund method (from November 1, 2026)
    Refund method, 90-day export window, abolished sealing and consumables cap
  2. Japan Tourism Agency — Tax-free shopping FAQ for travelers (refund method)
    Customs confirmation before check-in; how stores pay the refund
  3. JNTO — Japan’s tax exemption
    ¥5,000 minimum purchase (excluding tax)
  4. Japan Tourism Agency — What is the refund method (リファンド方式とは) (Japanese)
    Refund = consumption-tax equivalent, paid by the store or its contracted refund operator (checked 2026-10-09)
  5. Loft — Tax free (store example of a refund handling fee)
    1.55% tax refund commission fee; refund = consumption tax minus the fee (checked 2026-10-09)

Fact-checked by the TravelSafe Japan team against these pages; AI helped with drafting. General information, not legal advice. Report an error · How we verify

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