Japan’s tax-free rules change on 1 November 2026. Purchases on or before 31 October use the current system; purchases from 1 November are paid tax-included and refunded after a customs check when you leave. See what changes →
New system in effect: since 1 November 2026 you pay the tax-included price in store and get your refund after the customs kiosk check at departure — before you drop your bags. How it works →
Under the new system the customs check is what makes your purchase tax-free. It happens at the airport or seaport where you leave Japan, and it must be finished before you check in your luggage.
Tax-free kiosks or electronic terminals are in the international departure lobby, before the airline baggage drop. The customs inspection area is next to them.
Scan your passport
Have all the goods you bought tax-free with you. Scanning takes a few seconds and the screen shows whether an inspection is needed.
Green: you are done
No inspection is needed. The customs check is complete and you can check in your bags.
Red: show your goods to customs
Go to the customs inspection area and show the items. Allow extra time for this. If you give up the inspection to catch your flight, the check does not count.
Take the goods out of Japan
After the check, you must take the goods abroad without delay. If you do not, the tax is collected from you and penalties can apply.
Where to go at each airport
At every airport the tax-free kiosks are in the international departure lobby, before the airline bag drop. Exact spots are published airport by airport; this is what is official so far.
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Official map
Terminal 1, 4th floor (international departures)
KIX Terminal 1, 4th floor (simplified)
Tax-free kiosks
Customs inspection
Wi-Fi area for Visit Japan Web
Check-in islands
Kiosks stand at two spots on the entrance side of the check-in hall: in front of check-in island B and in front of island E.
Customs staff and the customs inspection area are right next to each kiosk spot. Go there if the kiosk shows red.
The Wi-Fi area for the Visit Japan Web online check covers the whole check-in hall, islands A to H.
Terminal 2 (low-cost terminal, used by Peach; check your ticket for the terminal)
KIX Terminal 2 (simplified)
Four kiosks in the check-in lobby, at the end next to the security checkpoint.
The customs inspection area is beside the kiosks.
The Wi-Fi area for the online check covers the check-in lobby.
Osaka Customs recommends the Visit Japan Web method on your phone because the kiosks may have queues.
The refund company Cash Japan lists a counter at Kansai Airport: Terminal 1, 4th floor, 07:00–24:00 (kiosks 24 hours); Terminal 2, 1st floor, 05:00–23:00 (kiosks 24 hours). From 1 November 2026 (starting airport by airport) it pays cash refunds for purchases whose refund company is Global Blue, J&J Tax Free, Smart Detax or IntaSect; for other refund companies, follow the shop’s instructions. Customs itself does not pay refunds.
You may not have signal at the airport. Keep it in your photos.
Narita (NRT)
Official map
Terminal 1, 4th floor
Simplified diagram redrawn from the official Japan Customs map. Not to scale.
In the central hall where the two check-in wings meet: the Customs Inspection Area and the Tax Refund Kiosk stand side by side, just above the central restrooms and near the central escalators and information desk.
Simplified diagram redrawn from the official Japan Customs map. Not to scale.
At one end of the check-in hall, past the last check-in island: two Tax Refund Kiosks on either side of a small entrance, with the Customs Inspection Area right beside them along the end wall.
Simplified diagram redrawn from the official Japan Customs map. Not to scale.
In the check-in hall in front of the row of shops, opposite the large central block: the Tax Refund Kiosk with the Customs Inspection Area right next to it.
The refund company Cash Japan lists a counter at Narita Airport: Terminal 1 (South and North Wings), 3rd floor, 06:00–23:00; Terminal 2, 3rd floor, 06:00–23:00; Terminal 3, 3rd floor, 06:00–22:00. From 1 November 2026 (starting airport by airport) it pays cash refunds for purchases whose refund company is Global Blue, J&J Tax Free, Smart Detax or IntaSect; for other refund companies, follow the shop’s instructions. Customs itself does not pay refunds.
Japan Airport Terminal and Glory run “Self Tax Refund” machines at Narita Airport from 1 November 2026: Terminal 1, Central Building, 4th floor, before security and passport control, 06:00–24:00; Terminal 2, Main Building, 3rd floor, before security and passport control, 06:00–24:00. After the customs check at the kiosk before bag drop, you scan your passport and get the refund in Japanese yen cash. It only pays purchases whose refund company works with the service (official page lists: J&J Tax Free, Smart Technologies & Resources, Global Tax Free-Planet, AddSmart, LINKTIVITY, IntaSect Communications) and that you registered with that company; fees are deducted.
You may not have signal at the airport. Keep it in your photos.
Haneda (HND)
Official map
Terminal 2, 3rd floor (international flights area)
Simplified diagram redrawn from the official Japan Customs map. Not to scale.
At the end of the international check-in hall, next to the restrooms: the Customs Inspection Area, with the Tax Refund Kiosk right in front of it and check-in counters beside them.
Simplified diagram redrawn from the official Japan Customs map. Not to scale.
The Tax Refund Kiosk is where the check-in hall opens into a side passage, with escalators right next to it. The Customs Inspection Area is in a separate spot, further along the same side of the hall, beyond the last check-in island.
Japan Airport Terminal and Glory run “Self Tax Refund” machines at Haneda Airport from 1 November 2026: Terminal 2 international area, 3rd floor departure concourse, after passport control, 06:45–01:30 next day (may change with flights); Terminal 3, 3rd floor departure concourse, after passport control, 24 hours. After the customs check at the kiosk before bag drop, you scan your passport and get the refund in Japanese yen cash. It only pays purchases whose refund company works with the service (official page lists: J&J Tax Free, Smart Technologies & Resources, Global Tax Free-Planet, AddSmart, LINKTIVITY, IntaSect Communications) and that you registered with that company; fees are deducted.
You may not have signal at the airport. Keep it in your photos.
Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO)
Official map
Terminal 1 (international flights)
Chubu Centrair Terminal 1, international check-in area (simplified)
Tax-free kiosks
Customs inspection
Check-in islands
The customs kiosks are in front of the international check-in counters. On the official map they stand on the entrance side, between check-in islands C/D and E/F.
The customs verification area (go there if the kiosk shows red) is also in front of the international check-in counters, near the kiosks.
The customs kiosk is at the CIQ Information Corner next to the check-in counters (on the official map, at the security end of check-in counter B).
The customs verification area is on the way from the CIQ Information Corner to the security checkpoint. Hours: 10:00–21:30 (subject to the flight schedule).
The dedicated customs Wi-Fi for the Visit Japan Web online check only works near the customs kiosks in each terminal.
Cash refunds after passport control
Terminal 1: dedicated refund counters and kiosks at two places in the duty-free shop area: five kiosks near passport control and a staffed counter near Gate 20.
Terminal 2: a dedicated refund kiosk right after passport control, 10:00–21:30 (subject to the flight schedule).
Cash refunds are paid in Japanese yen only. Depending on the shop, a cash refund inside the airport may not be available; other refund methods follow the shop’s instructions.
The refund company Cash Japan lists a counter at Nagoya Chubu Centrair Airport: Terminal 1, 3rd floor, 07:00–22:15; Terminal 2, 2nd floor, 10:00–21:30. From 1 November 2026 (starting airport by airport) it pays cash refunds for purchases whose refund company is Global Blue, J&J Tax Free, Smart Detax or IntaSect; for other refund companies, follow the shop’s instructions. Customs itself does not pay refunds.
You may not have signal at the airport. Keep it in your photos.
Fukuoka (FUK)
Official map
International Terminal, 3rd floor
Simplified diagram redrawn from the official Japan Customs map. Not to scale.
On the entrance side of the check-in hall, at the end away from the information desk: two Tax Refund Kiosks in front of the last check-in islands, and the Customs Inspection Area next to them in the corner.
The refund company Cash Japan lists a counter at Fukuoka Airport: International Terminal, 3rd floor, 07:00–21:00 (kiosks 06:00–21:00). From 1 November 2026 (starting airport by airport) it pays cash refunds for purchases whose refund company is Global Blue, J&J Tax Free, Smart Detax or IntaSect; for other refund companies, follow the shop’s instructions. Customs itself does not pay refunds.
You may not have signal at the airport. Keep it in your photos.
New Chitose (CTS)
Official map
International Terminal, 3rd floor
Simplified diagram redrawn from the official Japan Customs map. Not to scale.
In the middle of the hall, beside the central block: a Tax Refund Kiosk with the Customs Inspection Area right next to it. A second Tax Refund Kiosk is further along the hall, near the information desk.
The refund company Cash Japan lists a counter at Sapporo New Chitose Airport: International Terminal, 3rd floor, 07:00–20:00 (kiosks 06:00–20:30). From 1 November 2026 (starting airport by airport) it pays cash refunds for purchases whose refund company is Global Blue, J&J Tax Free, Smart Detax or IntaSect; for other refund companies, follow the shop’s instructions. Customs itself does not pay refunds.
You may not have signal at the airport. Keep it in your photos.
Naha (OKA)
Official map
3rd floor, international area
Simplified diagram redrawn from the official Japan Customs map. Not to scale.
Near the escalators and lifts, at the end of the hall with the information desk: the Tax Refund Kiosk, and right beside it, next to the information desk, the Customs Inspection Area.
Japan Airport Terminal and Glory run “Self Tax Refund” machines at Okinawa Naha Airport from 1 November 2026: 2nd floor departure concourse, after passport control, 06:00–21:00 (may change with flights). After the customs check at the kiosk before bag drop, you scan your passport and get the refund in Japanese yen cash. It only pays purchases whose refund company works with the service (official page lists: J&J Tax Free, Smart Technologies & Resources, Global Tax Free-Planet, AddSmart, LINKTIVITY, IntaSect Communications) and that you registered with that company; fees are deducted.
You may not have signal at the airport. Keep it in your photos.
Japan Customs shows the kiosk on its official map for most of these airports. Do the check at the tax-free kiosk in the international departure lobby before the bag drop. The Visit Japan Web online check is not offered at this airport.
Flights change by season. If you take a domestic flight to another airport and leave Japan from there, do the check at that last airport.
Other airports with international flights
Japan Customs shows the kiosk on its official map for most of these airports. Do the check at the tax-free kiosk in the international departure lobby before the bag drop. The Visit Japan Web online check is not offered at this airport. All airport maps (Japan Customs)
The kiosk only needs your passport, and the Visit Japan Web online check has its own Wi-Fi area. Mobile data still helps for refund apps and coupon pages. eSIM, pocket Wi-Fi and coupons
Useful before you fly eSIM for Japan, installed before you leave home: Airalo · Saily · Yesim
Airport duty-free shops are not the tax refund
The duty-free shops after passport control sell goods without Japanese consumption tax. You show your boarding pass and pay the lower price at the till. There is nothing to claim later.
Tax-free shopping in town works differently from 1 November 2026: you pay the tax at the shop, do the customs check at the kiosk before bag drop, and the shop or its refund company pays the tax back.
The duty-free shops do not handle refunds for things you bought in town. At some airports the refund company’s cash counter is in the duty-free area (Chubu Centrair, for example), but it is a refund counter, not a shop.
Get a reminder before you fly
We email you 2 days before your flight: kiosk first, then bag drop, with the 90-day limit for your purchases. One email, no spam.
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Online check with Visit Japan Web (7 airports)
At Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu (Centrair), Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha you can also do the check online with Visit Japan Web instead of a kiosk. It works only inside the area covered by the dedicated Wi-Fi in the international departure lobby, up to the security check.
Special cases
Your trip
Where to do the check
Domestic flight, then international flight
At the last airport in Japan, where you actually leave the country
Cruise departing from Japan to a foreign port (not returning)
At the last Japanese port, before handing over baggage, using the electronic terminal
Cruise from Japan that visits other countries and returns to Japan, then you fly home
At the airport you fly home from. Nothing to do when the ship leaves Japan.
Item costing ¥1,000,000 or more (before tax) each
Same kiosk, but bring the certificate or warranty card in case customs asks for it
Timing tips
Arrive earlier than you normally would, especially in the first weeks of the new system.
Do the check before queuing for baggage drop, not after.
Pack tax-free goods together near the top of your bag or in your hand luggage.
If you consumed any food, drink or cosmetics from a receipt, do not use the kiosk for that receipt. Tell the customs officer at the counter.
