When Departing
Q: When should I complete the customs inspection procedures?
A: You must complete the customs inspection before checking in your baggage, so please arrive at the airport or seaport early to complete the procedure. *To receive a refund, you must undergo the customs inspection upon departure within 90 days from the date of purchase. *If you are transferring from a domestic flight to an international flight to leave the country, you must complete the procedure at the departure airport (the final airport from which you leave Japan).
Q: Where are the tax-free procedure terminals (kiosk terminals or electronic terminals) located at airports and seaports?
A: The tax-free procedure terminals (kiosk terminals or electronic terminals) are located in places such as the international departure lobby before baggage check-in. Please check here for the locations at each airport and seaport.
*Please refer to the airport and seaport floor maps here.
*Please refer to the airport and seaport floor maps here.
Q: How long does the tax-free procedure take at airports and seaports?
A: The procedure using a tax-free procedure terminal (kiosk terminal or electronic terminal) only takes a few seconds from scanning your passport to determining the result. However, if it is determined that a customs inspection is necessary, you will need to present the tax-free goods you purchased to a customs official for confirmation. Therefore, please arrive at the airport or seaport early to complete your tax-free procedure.
Q: I checked in my suitcase containing the tax-free goods I purchased as checked baggage with the airline before doing the tax-free procedure at the tax-free procedure terminal (kiosk terminal or electronic terminal). Is it still possible to do the tax-free procedure?
A: When presenting your passport at the tax-free procedure terminal (kiosk terminal or electronic terminal), you must have all of your purchased tax-free goods with you.
Therefore, you cannot do the tax-free procedure after checking in your baggage. To do the tax-free procedure, please use the tax-free procedure terminal (kiosk terminal or electronic terminal) before checking your baggage with the airline.
Therefore, you cannot do the tax-free procedure after checking in your baggage. To do the tax-free procedure, please use the tax-free procedure terminal (kiosk terminal or electronic terminal) before checking your baggage with the airline.
Q: Are there any other ways to do the tax-free procedure at airports and seaports besides using the tax-free procedure terminals (kiosk terminals or electronic terminals)?
A: At airports with many travelers (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose, and Naha), in addition to the tax-free procedure terminals installed at the airport, you can use Visit Japan Web. You can complete the procedure online instead of using the terminal, as long as you are in an area within the international departure lobby where you can connect to the dedicated Wi-Fi for procedures (before reaching the security checkpoint).
*For instructions on how to use the online tax-free procedure, please see the operation guide published by the National Tax Agency.
*For instructions on how to use the online tax-free procedure, please see the operation guide published by the National Tax Agency.
Q: Can Japanese nationals also use Visit Japan Web to complete the procedure online?
A: No, they cannot.
Q: I have consumed some of the items I purchased tax-free. Can I undergo the customs inspection with only the unconsumed items?
A: Customs inspections are conducted per single purchase procedure (receipt, etc.). If you are missing even one of the tax-free goods included in a single purchase procedure (receipt, etc.), the other tax-free goods on that receipt will not be eligible for the customs inspection either, and the amount equivalent to consumption tax for that receipt will not be refunded. Also, if you have consumed all or part of any consumable items, please report this to a customs official (at the counter) without doing the tax-free procedure using a terminal or other means.
Q: I purchased an item with a unit price of 1,000,000 yen or more. Are there any required documents for the customs inspection?
A: If you purchased an item with a unit price of 1,000,000 yen or more excluding tax, customs may ask you to present a certificate of authenticity or warranty along with the item. Having these ready will help the customs inspection proceed smoothly.
Q: Are there any penalties if I do not take the goods that have passed the customs inspection out of the country?
A: The consumption tax equivalent to the exempted amount will be collected, and you will be subject to penalties.
Q:How do I do the tax-free procedure for cruise ships that depart from and return to ports outside Japan (overseas)?
A: At your final port in Japan, you will complete the procedure using an electronic tax-free procedure terminal before checking in your baggage.
Q: If I use a cruise ship departing from and arriving in Japan (a route that stops overseas and returns to Japan) and then return home from a domestic airport (a so-called "fly & cruise"), how do I do the tax-free procedure?
A: The tax-free procedure for your entire stay will be done when you depart from a domestic airport, using a tax-free procedure terminal (kiosk terminal or electronic terminal) at that departure airport (before checking in your baggage).
*In the case of your question, there is no need to do the tax-free procedure when using the cruise ship (when you temporarily leave the country to stop overseas).
*In the case of your question, there is no need to do the tax-free procedure when using the cruise ship (when you temporarily leave the country to stop overseas).
Q: Please tell me if eligible tax-free purchasers expected to stay in Japan long-term (those with the status of residence of "Diplomat" or "Official") also need to undergo the customs inspection upon departure within 90 days from the purchase date of the tax-free goods to receive the tax exemption (refund) under the tax-free shop system.
A: In the case of your question, regardless of status of residence ("Temporary Visitor," "Diplomat," or "Official"), you must undergo the customs inspection upon departure within 90 days from the purchase date of the tax-free goods to receive the tax exemption (refund).
Q: Please tell me if eligible tax-free purchasers must present the receipts or proofs of purchase issued by the tax-free shop during the customs inspection.
A: It is not always necessary to have or present receipts or proofs of purchase when the tax-free procedure terminal determines whether a customs inspection is needed, or during confirmation at the customs inspection area. However, customs may ask the eligible tax-free purchaser to voluntarily present their receipts or proofs of purchase for confirmation.
Q: Please tell me about the customs inspection, such as the locations of tax-free procedure terminals (kiosk terminals, etc.) and the tax-free procedure for a "fly & cruise."
A:For information for eligible tax-free purchasers, such as the information you have asked about, please check the "Frequently Asked Questions (Refund Method)" posted under "[For Travelers] Click here for information on the new system (Refund Method) " on the Japan Tourism Agency's "Japan Tax-free Shop" website.
Q: Please tell me how the customs inspection is handled in cases like the following:
[1] When item 'a' was purchased at Store A and item 'b' was purchased at Store B, but only item 'a' is in the purchaser's possession upon departure (item 'b' is missing).
[2] When item 'a' was purchased at Store A, followed by another purchase of item 'b', but only item 'a' is in the purchaser's possession upon departure (item 'b' is missing).
[1] When item 'a' was purchased at Store A and item 'b' was purchased at Store B, but only item 'a' is in the purchaser's possession upon departure (item 'b' is missing).
[2] When item 'a' was purchased at Store A, followed by another purchase of item 'b', but only item 'a' is in the purchaser's possession upon departure (item 'b' is missing).
A:In the cases you asked about, it will be handled as follows. Also, if you do not have your tax-free goods with you upon departure, please report this to a customs official (at the counter) without doing the tax-free procedure using a terminal or other means.
[1] You will receive a refund for item 'a' purchased at Store A by undergoing the customs inspection, but you will not receive a refund for item 'b' purchased at Store B because it is not eligible for the customs inspection.
[2] You will receive a refund for item 'a' by undergoing the customs inspection, but you will not receive a refund for item 'b' because it is not eligible for the customs inspection. [Reference] Refund Method Q&A Questions 20 and 21-2 posted on the National Tax Agency website.
[1] You will receive a refund for item 'a' purchased at Store A by undergoing the customs inspection, but you will not receive a refund for item 'b' purchased at Store B because it is not eligible for the customs inspection.
[2] You will receive a refund for item 'a' by undergoing the customs inspection, but you will not receive a refund for item 'b' because it is not eligible for the customs inspection. [Reference] Refund Method Q&A Questions 20 and 21-2 posted on the National Tax Agency website.
Q: Please tell me what happens if an eligible tax-free purchaser consumes or uses tax-free goods purchased at a tax-free shop in Japan before their departure.
A:In the case of your question, it will be handled as follows depending on the type of tax-free goods.
・Tax-free goods Handling
Food, beverages, medicine, cosmetics, and other consumables If you consume all or part of consumable items like food, beverages, or cosmetics in Japan, the tax-free goods (consumables) at the time of purchase will not be taken out of the country as they are. Therefore, you cannot undergo the customs inspection confirming that the tax-free goods are being taken out of the country (exported).
If you have consumed all or part of any consumable items, please report this to a customs official (at the counter) without doing the tax-free procedure using a terminal or other means.
・Items other than the above consumables
For items other than consumables, even if you use them in Japan before your departure, as long as those tax-free goods (goods other than consumables) are ultimately taken out of the country, you can undergo the customs inspection confirming that the tax-free goods are being taken out of the country (exported).
・Tax-free goods Handling
Food, beverages, medicine, cosmetics, and other consumables If you consume all or part of consumable items like food, beverages, or cosmetics in Japan, the tax-free goods (consumables) at the time of purchase will not be taken out of the country as they are. Therefore, you cannot undergo the customs inspection confirming that the tax-free goods are being taken out of the country (exported).
If you have consumed all or part of any consumable items, please report this to a customs official (at the counter) without doing the tax-free procedure using a terminal or other means.
・Items other than the above consumables
For items other than consumables, even if you use them in Japan before your departure, as long as those tax-free goods (goods other than consumables) are ultimately taken out of the country, you can undergo the customs inspection confirming that the tax-free goods are being taken out of the country (exported).
