Japan’s new tax-free shopping rules: What you need to know

From Nov 1, you will have to pay full price in-store and submit a claim at the Japan airport before you leave.

ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Published Oct 23, 2026, 03:45 PM

Updated Oct 23, 2026, 03:45 PM

Japan will change their tax-free shopping system from Nov 1. Travellers pay full price first, then claim refunds at the airport, like Singapore's GST refund system.

Only purchases of 5,000 yen or more per store per day qualify. Travellers must show passports, keep receipts, and present all items for customs inspection within 90 days.

The new rules aim to stop abuse and illegal resale. Missing items, consumed goods, or left-behind purchases can cancel refunds, trigger tax payment, and bring penalties.

SINGAPORE – If you’re banking on Japan’s tax-free shopping policy to cough up less at the store while on holiday there, things are about to change.

From Nov 1 , instead of being exempt from paying the 10% consumption tax at eligible stores, you will have to pay full price first . You then submit a claim at the airport before you leave.

So it will be similar to Singapore’s GST refund system for tourists.

Japan is hoping to curb abuse by travellers who buy products tax-free, then illegally resell the goods for a profit equal to the amount of consumption tax.

Before planning your shopping itinerary, from Shibuya and Shinjuku to Ginza, here is what you should know about the changes to Japan’s tax-free shopping, according to Japan’s National Tax Agency and the Japan Tax-free Shop websites.

1. What items are eligible?

Any purchase totalling 5,000 yen (S$40) or more per store per day is eligible for a tax refund. This is excluding gold and platinum bullion items, or airport duty-free items.

When purchasing items from eligible shops, present your passport for the purchase to be registered.

2. Claims have to be submitted within 90 days of purchase

Under the new pay first, refund later system, you must go through customs inspection at the airport within 90 days of your purchase.

You will have to show your passport at a tax-free procedure terminal to complete the inspection.

3. Keep your receipts handy for inspection

All items listed on a receipt must be presented for inspection.

If even one item is missing – perhaps because you have already consumed it – none of the goods in the receipt will be eligible for tax refund.

4. How do I submit my claim for tax refunds?

At the airport, look for tax-free procedure terminals at the international departure lobby.

You may also complete the process online at these major airports – Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha.

But you have to be within areas of the international departure lobbies where dedicated Wi-Fi wireless LAN is provided, up to the security checkpoint.

Complete the inspection via the website Visit Japan Web .

5. Do not check in your luggage yet

Your goods may need to undergo customs inspection. If you check your baggage in before the inspection, it cannot be retrieved, and you will not be able to complete the inspection.

Hence, arrive at the airport early to ensure you have sufficient time to go through the procedures.

The quantity of goods you may purchase tax-free is limited to what you can personally take with you out of Japan upon departure.

All these items may need to be presented by you for customs inspection.

This means you will not qualify for tax refund if you buy goods to be shipped back to Singapore separately.

The new system will eliminate the daily purchase limit of 500,000 yen (S$4,000) on consumables such as alcohol and cosmetics.

7. What about consumables?

Special packaging for consumables such as cosmetics, food and beverages will no longer be required.

However, if you consume all or part of these items, do not complete the tax-free procedure. Instead, report the items you have consumed to a customs officer at the counter.

8. What if I end up leaving behind items that have passed customs inspection?

If you leave behind in Japan items that have already passed customs inspection, you will need to pay a consumption tax equivalent to the exempted amount.

You will also be subject to penalties.

从11月1日起，您必须在店内支付全价，并在离开日本机场前提交索赔申请。

《海峡时报》摄影：郭志雄

发布于 2026 年 10 月 23 日下午 3:45

更新于2026年10月23日下午3:45

日本将于11月1日起改变免税购物制度。旅客需先支付全价，然后在机场申请退税，类似于新加坡的消费税退税制度。

仅限单日单笔消费满5000日元及以上者可享受此优惠。旅客须出示护照，保留购物小票，并于90天内接受海关检查。

新规旨在遏制滥用和非法转售行为。遗失物品、已消耗商品或遗留购买的商品可能导致退款取消、触发税款缴纳并招致罚款。

新加坡——如果你指望日本的免税购物政策能让你在度假期间少花钱，那么情况即将发生变化。

自11月1日起，在符合条件的商店购物，您将不再享受免缴10%消费税的优惠，而是需要先支付全价。之后，您需要在离境前于机场提交退税申请。

所以它将类似于新加坡的游客消费税退税制度。

日本希望遏制游客滥用免税商品，然后非法转售这些商品以获取相当于消费税金额的利润的行为。

在规划从涩谷、新宿到银座的购物行程之前，根据日本国税厅和日本免税商店网站的信息，以下是您应该了解的日本免税购物政策的变化。

1. 哪些物品符合条件？

凡在每家商店每日消费满5000日元（约合40新元）或以上，均可享受退税优惠。黄金、铂金条块及机场免税商品除外。

在指定商店购买商品时，请出示护照以便登记购买信息。

2. 索赔必须在购买后90天内提交。

在新实行的先付款后退款制度下，您必须在购买后 90 天内到机场接受海关检查。

您需要在免税手续办理终端出示护照以完成检查。

3. 请妥善保管收据以备查验。

收据上列出的所有物品都必须接受检查。

如果收据上缺少一件商品（可能是因为你已经用掉了），那么收据上的所有商品都不能获得退税。

4. 我如何提交退税申请？

在机场，请在国际出发大厅寻找免税办理手续的柜台。

您也可以在以下主要机场在线完成办理流程——成田机场、羽田机场、关西机场、中部机场、福冈机场、新千岁机场和那霸机场。

但您必须身处国际出发大厅内提供专用 Wi-Fi 无线局域网的区域，直至安检处。

请通过 Visit Japan Web 网站完成检查。

5. 暂时不要办理行李托运。

您的物品可能需要接受海关检查。如果您在检查前办理行李托运，行李将无法取回，您也将无法完成检查。

因此，请尽早到达机场，以确保您有足够的时间办理各项手续。

您可免税购买的商品数量仅限于您离境时可亲自带出日本的商品数量。

您可能需要将以上所有物品提交海关检查。

这意味着如果您购买的商品需要单独运回新加坡，您将无法获得退税。

新系统将取消对酒类和化妆品等消费品每日 50 万日元（4000 新元）的购买限额。

7. 消耗品方面呢？

化妆品、食品和饮料等消耗品将不再需要特殊包装。

但是，如果您食用了全部或部分这些物品，请不要办理免税手续。而应向柜台海关官员申报您已食用的物品。

8. 如果我最终遗漏了一些已经通过海关检查的物品怎么办？

如果您将已经通过海关检查的物品遗留在日本，您将需要支付相当于免税金额的消费税。

你还将受到处罚。