Goods & Service Tax (GST) 2 November 2026
Japan Tax Refund Rule Change Forces Travelers to Rethink Shopping Plans
Japan has introduced new tax‑free shopping rules requiring visitors to scan their passports at self‑service kiosks and submit refund claims within 90 days of purchase, and before boarding their flight. The tighter timeline means tourists must plan purchases carefully to avoid missing flights or losing refunds.
New tax‑free refund procedure
- Visitors must scan passports at self‑service kiosks.
- Claims must be filed within 90 days of purchase and before departure.
- Missing the deadline can result in lost refunds or flight delays.
Impact on travelers
- Shoppers need to align purchases with flight schedules.
- Some may postpone or limit tax‑free buys to avoid complications.
For full details, see the original article.
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