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Japan's new tax refund system from November 1, 2026
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UNIQLO and GU tax-free shopping from 1 November 2026

UNIQLO and GU are easy places to reach the ¥5,000 tax-free minimum. As of 21 October 2026 neither has announced its refund fee or refund company for the new system, and their help pages still describe the old one. Here is what applies.

By Mikako Yoshida ·Published 21 October 2026

UNIQLO and GU tax-free shopping from 1 November 2026
Dotonbori, Osaka · Photo: Sakai Yayoi (CC0)

What is known (as of 21 October 2026)

TopicWhat appliesSource
Refund feeNot announced—
Refund companyNot announced—
Minimum spend¥5,000 before tax (¥5,500 with tax) on one day in one storeUNIQLO and GU help pages
Combining storesNot possible: purchases in different stores do not add upUNIQLO help page
IdentificationPassport, or the Visit Japan Web tax-free QR codeUNIQLO and GU help pages
Online ordersNot tax-free, even when collected in a storeUNIQLO and GU help pages
Which storesMost UNIQLO stores and all GU storesUNIQLO store locator, GU help page
UNIQLO Ginza, Tokyo
UNIQLO Ginza, Tokyo · Photo: Wideangle (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Paying from 1 November

Under the new rules you pay the full price including the 10% consumption tax at the till and get the tax back after the customs check when you leave Japan. Say that you want tax-free before you pay, because it cannot be added after checkout. At self-checkout tills, ask a member of staff.

UNIQLO and GU have not said how the refund is paid, whether there is a fee or how long it takes. Ask at the till which refund company handles it, and keep the receipt.

Useful before you fly

eSIM for Japan, installed before you leave home

Airalo Saily Yesim

JR Pass and Shinkansen tickets

Klook KKday

Airport transfer when you have a lot of shopping bags

Klook Trip.com Welcome Pickups

Luggage storage in Tokyo for the hours before an evening flight

Radical Storage

Hotels in Japan

Klook Trip.com

Coupons

Tips

  • Buy everything in one store on one day to reach ¥5,000 before tax. Receipts from two stores cannot be combined.
  • GU app member prices do not apply to tax-free purchases.
  • Bring your passport with the landing stamp. If you came through an automated gate and have no stamp, ask the staff whether the Visit Japan Web tax-free QR code is enough before you shop.
  • Keep everything from one receipt together until the customs check, and do the kiosk check before you check in your bags.

For your departure day

Related guides

Who can claim and what countsThe ¥5,000 minimum and which goods qualify.Refund methods and feesHow the money comes back, and the fees shops have announced.At the airportWhere the kiosks are and what green and red mean.

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