Frequently Asked Questions

Previously, shoppers paid a price with consumption tax already deducted at the store. From November 1, 2026, you will pay the tax-inclusive price first. The system will change to a refund method: you must have the goods confirmed for export when leaving Japan to receive a consumption tax refund.

No. Tax-free benefits will remain; only the procedure will change. Instead of receiving the tax exemption first and then having the goods confirmed for export, you will receive a consumption tax refund after export confirmation.

Non-resident foreign nationals and Japanese nationals who meet Japan's tax-free shopping requirements are eligible, including:

• Foreign visitors with Temporary Visitor status (90 days).
• People with Diplomat, Official, or U.S. military-related status.
• People who entered Japan with a landing permit.
• Japanese nationals who qualify as non-residents.

The following are not eligible:

• Goods with a high risk of purchase for consumption-tax fraud, such as gold and platinum bullion, gold coins, and platinum coins.
• Items and charges not subject to consumption tax, such as gift certificates, service charges, shipping fees, transportation fares, and medical treatment fees.

Yes. You pay the tax-inclusive price when purchasing. You then use a refund-procedure KIOSK at an airport or seaport, or the Visit Japan Web website, to obtain a Green (cleared) or Red (customs officer inspection required) result for your purchases. Only purchases with a final Green result qualify for a consumption tax refund.

Yes. Your own passport, or another travel document recognized by law, is required both for tax-free purchases and refund procedures. Only the original document is accepted. Copies and photographs are not accepted because of the risk of forgery and other offenses.

Global Tax Free-Planet affiliated stores accept Visit Japan Web QR codes. However, the QR code does not replace your passport, so please present your passport as well.

Yes. Keep your purchase receipts until the refund procedure is complete. According to the National Tax Agency's announcement, if customs cannot verify even some of the goods listed on a receipt, the entire receipt becomes ineligible for tax exemption. Make sure you have both the receipt and every item listed on it.

At a shopping facility with a Global Tax Free-Planet tax-free counter, purchases from Global Tax Free-Planet affiliated stores can be combined. Purchases from non-affiliated stores cannot be combined. Purchases from individual stores outside such shopping facilities cannot be combined.

Global Tax Free-Planet offers the following tax refund methods.

• If you select cash, you can collect your refund at a cash refund ATM located airside.
• If you select a credit card or another non-cash service, your tax refund will be issued in approximately 2–14 days, depending on the processing time of the respective service provider.
• Depending on the circumstances, it may take 14 days or longer.

In addition to the methods currently available, further options are scheduled to be added gradually, including more supported card and e-money types and more airports where tax refunds can be collected in cash.

(The additional options will become available for selection on the website once support for them is in place.)

You can receive your refund after obtaining Green confirmation through a customs export-confirmation KIOSK at an airport or seaport, or through Visit Japan Web, when leaving Japan.

Yes. A refund processing fee applies.

No one other than the purchaser may receive the refund under any circumstances. A person who does not match the passport information presented at the time of purchase is considered a different person and is not eligible to receive the refund.

Individuals affiliated with the U.S. military (SOFA) who are leaving Japan via a military base or similar facility must email their departure date, passport information and other relevant details to the nearest customs office in advance to complete the verification procedures.

If departing from a civilian airport such as Narita Airport or Haneda Airport, the same procedures apply as for other tax-free shoppers.

We have prepared a dedicated webpage where you can view the materials published by the National Tax Agency in multiple languages.

Click the title below to go to the relevant webpage.

Information on the locations of KIOSK terminals for customs verification and where customs officers are stationed at airports and seaports

Yes. Goods purchased tax-free must be taken out of Japan. If export cannot be confirmed, consumption tax cannot be refunded. Obtaining tax-free benefits fraudulently may violate the law.

Japan places greater emphasis on taking the goods out of the country than on whether they have been used. It has been announced that items such as electronics and clothing can qualify for a refund even if used, provided you take them with you when leaving Japan. For cosmetics, food, and similar items, there has been no clear announcement, so we recommend not consuming them.

Yes. According to the National Tax Agency's announcement, you must obtain a Green result at an export-confirmation KIOSK at an airport or seaport within 90 days, counting the day after purchase as day one, for the purchase to qualify as tax-free.

Yes. Global Tax Free-Planet allows you to receive a refund within six months, counting from the day after you obtain a Green result. You may select and apply for a refund method at any time within six months of the first Green result. Once six months have passed, you are no longer eligible for a refund.

If the purchaser does not complete the required procedures, the purchase remains a normal tax-inclusive purchase. Examples include:

• Not completing export confirmation at a KIOSK within 90 days from the day after purchase.
• Receiving a final Red result at the export-confirmation KIOSK.
• Not selecting a refund method within six months from the day after the Green result, or entering incorrect card information.

Please email Global Tax Free-Planet's Japan office.

info@global-taxfree.jp

We will review inquiries in the order received and reply to you.