Japan Tax Refund Calculator
Japan's tax refund is now pay first, refund later. Enter your receipt totals to see how much you actually get back after fees, and what that is in your own currency.
Your receipts
Purchases at the same store on the same day can go in one entry.
Store 1
Store notice: no fee
Refund operator: J-TaxRefund. A branch or in-store counter may use another, so go by what the store gives you at checkout.
Transfer fees are estimated from each refund operator's published method. What the operator actually deducts is final. Your card issuer's exchange rate and fees, and stores you entered yourself, are not included.
You can change this to your card's exchange rate.
Japan's 2026 tax refund rules: the key points
Since November 1, tax-free shops no longer take the tax off at the register. Here are 6 things to know.
Pay first, refund later
You pay the tax-included price at checkout. When you leave Japan, customs confirms you're taking the goods with you, and only then is the consumption tax refunded.
The minimum is still ¥5,000 before tax
It's the total for one person, at one store, on one day. Different floors of a department store can be combined. Pooling purchases with friends can't.
No more ¥500,000 cap or sealed bags
General goods and consumables are no longer treated separately, and sealed bags are gone. But you can only buy as much as you can carry out yourself.
Leave within 90 days
The count starts the day after purchase. If you buy on Nov 1, you must leave and complete the process by Jan 30 at the latest.
Each receipt counts as a whole
If even one item on a receipt is used up or left behind, the whole receipt can't be refunded. Other receipts aren't affected.
Passport scan at the airport
Before you check in bags, scan your passport at a customs kiosk. At 7 major airports you can also do it on your phone with Visit Japan Web. A green light means you're done. A red light means you go to the counter and show customs your goods.
How the Japan tax refund works: 4 steps
This is roughly how it goes, from checkout to getting your money. Each store may use a different refund operator, so follow the store's instructions for the details.
Pay at the store
Show your passport or your Visit Japan Web QR code and pay the tax-included price. The store will tell you how to register your refund method.
Register your refund method
Register on the website of the refund operator the store names, and choose a refund to your credit card or cash at the airport. Different stores may need sign-ups with different operators. If you want cash, it's best to choose it before you leave Japan.
Customs check at the airport
Before you check in bags, bring the goods and scan your passport at a kiosk, or do it online with Visit Japan Web at 7 major airports. You need this step for credit card refunds too. In travelers' tests it mostly took a few seconds. A green light means you're done.
Get your refund
If you chose cash, you collect it at the airport, minus the machine fee. Credit card refunds depend on the operator and take anywhere from a few days to about 2 months.
Buying for a friend? Everything has to be with you when you leave Japan, and the refund only goes to your account.
Refund operators and fees
The store picks the refund operator, not you. At checkout, the store tells you which operator's website to register on. The refund methods you can choose, how long the money takes and the fees all differ by operator.
6 common refund operators
| Operator | Refund to credit card | Cash at the airport | Other methods | Registration deadline | Time to receive | Partner stores (examples) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J-TaxRefund | Yes, 3D Secure required | 8 airports including Haneda, Naha, Narita and Kansai | Alipay, WeChat Pay, bank transfer (¥100,000 or more) | 180 days from the day after purchase | A few weeks to about 2 months | Matsumoto Kiyoshi, LUMINE |
| Global Blue | Yes | Narita, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose, KobeCash Japan only. Not at Haneda or Naha. At Narita, collect after security | Digital wallets | 3 months after the customs check | 3 to 5 days | Yodobashi |
| JPrefund | Yes, Visa and MastercardJCB and others being added | 8 airports including Haneda, Naha, Narita and KansaiChoose it before the customs check | Alipay, WeChat Pay, bank transfer | Within 200 days | A few days to over 1 month | Akachan Honpo, Mandarake |
| GTF-Planet | Yes | Self Tax Refund machinesHaneda, Narita, Naha | E-wallets (coming soon) | 6 months after your first customs check | 2 to 14 days | Shopping malls in Kumamoto and Okinawa |
| PIE VATIts official site may still show the old rules | Yes | NoNeither cash machine accepts it | Bank transfer, WeChat Pay, PayPal | Apply in store on the day of purchase | Not published | Malls such as LaLaport ToyosuMedia report |
| Ocean | YesMedia report | NoNeither cash machine accepts it | LINE, WeChat mini program | Not published | Not published | Yamada Denki, Seiyu, animateMedia report |
The Japan Tax-Free Shop Association's operator list has 12 companies (as of Oct 30, 2026). These are the 6 travelers run into most. Times to receive are the operators' own claims.
Fees come in three layers
The new rules don't regulate fees. The same "10%" could mean 10% of the refund or 10% of the price, and that's a big difference.
Store fee
Each store sets its own, and a store can also charge nothing. See the table below for common stores.
Transfer fee
Refunds to a credit card, Alipay and similar methods may carry an extra charge. Each operator calculates it differently, and some stores' fees already include it. JPrefund: refunds to a credit card or payment app generally cost another 5%, calculated on the amount left after the store fee. PIE VAT: the withdrawal fee is 0.28% to 0.36% of the pre-tax price. J-TaxRefund: US$0.70 per purchase when the refund goes to Visa and is under ¥2,000 after the store fee. Ocean: a percentage of the pre-tax price with a minimum amount, charged once per withdrawal.
Airport cash machine fee
Cash Japan charges 10% of the refund (¥100 to ¥500 per purchase) and rounds the remainder to the nearest ¥50. Self Tax Refund charges about 1.1% of the pre-tax price and rounds the remainder down to the nearest ¥100.
Fees by store
| Store | Refund operator | Fee | How it's charged | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discount and variety stores | ||||
| Don Quijote | J-TaxRefund | 0% | No fee | Store notice |
| Takeya | J-TaxRefund | 0% | No fee | Store notice |
| Akachan Honpo | JPrefund | 1.1% | Tax-included price, charged at checkout | Store notice |
| Ito-Yokado | J-TaxRefund | 1.5% | Tax-included price, the official site says 1.50% of the purchase amount | Store notice |
| Electronics | ||||
| Bic Camera | J-TaxRefund | 0% | No fee | Media report |
| Yamada Denki | J-TaxRefund / Ocean | 0% | No fee, you can choose J-TaxRefund or Ocean for the refund, and this uses J-TaxRefund; with Ocean you can't get cash at the airport | Media report |
| EDION | Not confirmed | ¥210 | Flat per purchase | Media report |
| Drugstores | ||||
| Tsuruha Drug | J-TaxRefund | 0% | No fee | Media report |
| SUNDRUG | J-TaxRefund | 0% | No fee | Media report |
| Daikoku Drug | J-TaxRefund | 0% | No fee | Media report |
| Matsumoto Kiyoshi / Cocokara Fine | J-TaxRefund | 3.3% | Refund amount, about 0.33% of the pre-tax price | Store notice |
| Welcia | JPrefund | 1.18% | Pre-tax price | Media report |
| KoKuMiN | JPrefund | 1.25% | Pre-tax price | Media report |
| FANCL | JPrefund | 3.5% | Pre-tax price | Media report |
| Department stores and malls | ||||
| Tobu Department Store | J-TaxRefund | 1% | Pre-tax price | Media report |
| Mitsui Outlet Park / LaLaport | PIE VAT | 1.5% | Pre-tax price | Media report |
| GRAND FRONT OSAKA | JPrefund | 1.5% | Pre-tax price | Media report |
| Takashimaya | Global Blue | 23% | Refund amount, about 2.3% of the pre-tax price, and 21% instead once the pre-tax total reaches ¥1,000,000 | Store notice |
| Daimaru / Matsuzakaya | Global Blue | 2.3% | Pre-tax price, the official site lists it as up to 2.3% | Store notice |
| Hankyu Department Store | Global Blue | 2.3% | Pre-tax price, 2.1% from ¥1,000,000 pre-tax, 1.8% from ¥3,000,000, 1.6% from ¥10,000,000 | Media report |
| Matsuya Ginza | J-TaxRefund | 2.15% | Tax-included price | Media report |
| LUMINE / NEWoMan | J-TaxRefund | 24.2% | Refund amount, about 2.42% of the pre-tax price | Store notice |
| Fashion and sports | ||||
| UNIQLO | J-TaxRefund | 10% | Refund amount, about 1% of the pre-tax price | Store notice |
| GU | J-TaxRefund | 10% | Refund amount, about 1% of the pre-tax price | Store notice |
| Niki Golf | J-TaxRefund | 1.5% | Pre-tax price | Media report |
| ISSEY MIYAKE | Global Blue | 3% | Pre-tax price, applies to standalone stores; department store counters may differ | Media report |
| Anime and games | ||||
| animate | Ocean | 2.1% | Pre-tax price, Ocean's withdrawal fee is charged on top | Media report |
Refund operators are from what stores and operators have published. A brand's branches and in-store counters may differ, so go by what the store gives you at checkout.
Last checked Nov 11, 2026. "Media report" means the figure was compiled by the media and isn't on the store's official site yet. Fees can change at any time, so go by your receipt. Seen a different rate? Email us. A photo of the receipt or store notice helps us get it right.
Tax refund claims that aren't actually true
The new system has only just started. These claims are common online, but none of them is right.
The claim: "J-TaxRefund is Japan's official tax refund system"
In fact: Official documents don't mention it at all. It's one of 12 private operators on the Japan Tax-Free Shop Association's list, and the store decides which one to use.
The claim: "Eat one pack of snacks and only that pack can't be refunded"
In fact: If even one item on a receipt is used up or left behind, the whole receipt can't be refunded. For snacks you'll eat in Japan, pay for them separately and don't claim tax-free on them.
The claim: "Combine your spending with friends to reach ¥5,000"
In fact: The minimum is counted per passport. You can't combine with anyone else.
The claim: "The tax refund means you get 10% back"
In fact: What you get back is the consumption tax on the receipt. That's about 9% of the tax-included price, or about 7.4% for food, and fees still come off after that.
Japan tax refund FAQ
Can I get a refund on things I buy for a friend?
Yes, but you have to buy them with your passport. When you leave Japan, everything has to be with you, you scan your passport, and the refund only goes to your account. Remember to pass the refund on to your friend once you're back.
Can I still get a refund if I'm under the ¥5,000 minimum?
No. The pre-tax total at one store on one day has to reach ¥5,000. Different floors of a department store can be counted together.
How long does the refund take?
Cash at the airport is paid on the spot. Credit card refunds depend on the operator, and there's no official deadline: Global Blue says 3 to 5 days, GTF-Planet says 2 to 14 days, and J-TaxRefund says a few weeks to about 2 months.
Cash at the airport or a refund to my credit card: which is better?
Cash is paid on the spot, but the machine charges a fee and rounds the remainder, and there's a cap on how much you can collect, depending on the machine and the operator. For a card refund you enter your card number and security code, the money takes longer, and some operators also charge a transfer fee. If the amount is small, run it through the calculator above first to see if it's worth claiming.
Can I choose the refund operator myself?
No, the store decides. At checkout the store tells you which operator's website to register on. If you shop at different stores, you may have to sign up with several.
Can I put tax refund goods in my checked bags?
Yes, but you must finish the customs check before you check them in. When you scan your passport (or use Visit Japan Web), all the goods you're claiming on have to be with you. Once they're checked in you can't do it, and bags that are already checked in can't be taken back out for a refund.
How much earlier do I need to get to the airport under the new rules?
Going by tests so far, getting to the airport at your usual time is enough. A reporter from Taiwanese outlet ETtoday scanned a passport at Narita Terminal 2 and had a result in about 3 seconds, then got the money from a Self Tax Refund cash machine in 1 minute. There were no long lines, and the reporter felt arriving 3 hours early was plenty. Hong Kong's HK01 timed it at 3 seconds at Kansai, and Taiwan's public broadcaster PTS at about 6 seconds at Haneda. A reporter from Taiwan's Central News Agency left from Kobe, and the passport scan and the cash pickup each took under 30 seconds. Taiwanese travel writer 943 suggests independent travelers arrive 2.5 to 3 hours early, same as before. If you bought expensive luxury goods, customs is more likely to spot-check you, so leave a bit more time. All of this is from the first week of the new rules, so allow extra time on long weekends and in peak season.
Can I skip the kiosk line and do the customs check on my phone?
Yes, at 7 airports: Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha. In the international departures hall (before security), connect to the customs Wi-Fi for tax refunds and you can do it online with Visit Japan Web. Set up Visit Japan Web beforehand. Only short-term visitors (regular tourists) can use it. If it doesn't work for you, use a kiosk.
If I change my mind about the refund, do I still have to scan my passport?
No. The Japan Tourism Agency says that if you decide not to claim, you don't need to scan your passport at a kiosk. You can just leave, and it doesn't affect your next entry. If the goods have already been eaten or used, though, the official Q&A says not to scan at a kiosk and to explain at the customs counter instead.
Official sources
- National Tax Agency | Tax-free system Q&A (revised November 2026)
- National Tax Agency | New tax refund system (refund method) page
- Japan Tourism Agency | Tax-free guide for travelers
- Japan Customs | Tax-free confirmation at departure
- Japan Tax-Free Shop Association | Refund operator list (Oct 30, 2026)
This page is compiled from official Japanese notices, operator notices and travelers' tests. The results are estimates only. The store and the refund operator determine the actual refund amount.
Spotted a mistake? Email us at [email protected]. Photos of a receipt or store notice as evidence help us check it more precisely.
Leave the trip's bill splitting to Lightsplit
Tax refunds, yen spending and the shared trip fund, all tracked clearly in one group. Log expenses right in LINE, Telegram, Discord or iMessage, or use the web version.