What is Japan Shopping Festival (JSF)?
Japan’s Tax-Free Shopping System Changes on November 1, 2026
On Sunday, November 1, 2026, Japan’s tax-free shopping system will switch to the Refund Method. Here are five key changes to know before and during your trip.
① The Way You Receive Your Refund Changes (Refund Method)
You will first pay the price including consumption tax at a tax-free shop. When you depart Japan, Customs will confirm that you are taking the purchased tax-free goods out of the country, after which the amount equivalent to consumption tax will be refunded. The shop will explain how to register your refund method and recipient details when you make your purchase. Procedures vary by shop, so check the instructions carefully. If you place tax-free goods in checked baggage, you must complete the tax-free procedures before checking in your baggage.
② Sealed Bags (Special Packaging) Will No Longer Be Required
The special packaging previously required for consumables, such as cosmetics and food, will be abolished. However, using or consuming the goods during your stay will still make them ineligible for a refund. You must have the purchased goods with you when Customs confirms them to qualify for a refund.
③ Customs Confirmation Is Conducted for Each Purchase Transaction (Receipt, etc.)
Customs confirmation is conducted for each purchase transaction, such as each receipt. If you do not have even one of the tax-free goods included in a transaction, the other tax-free goods on that receipt cannot receive customs confirmation either, and the consumption tax amount for that receipt will not be refunded. If you have consumed all or part of any consumable goods, inform a customs officer at the counter without completing the tax-free procedures at a terminal or similar device.
④ The ¥500,000 Daily Limit per Store for Consumables Will Be Abolished
However, if you buy an item with a unit price of ¥1 million or more, excluding tax, Customs may ask you to present an appraisal certificate or warranty together with the item. Preparing these documents in advance can help customs confirmation go smoothly.
⑤ You Must Depart Within 90 Days of Purchase
To qualify for tax-free treatment, you must receive customs confirmation when departing Japan within 90 days of purchasing the tax-free goods and take the purchased goods out of the country. If requested by Customs, you must present the purchased tax-free goods. If you are staying for an extended period, pay attention to this deadline.
Take the Tax-Free Shopping Quiz for a Chance to Win Round-Trip Flights to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL)! “Enjoy! Japan Tax-Free Shopping” Launches November 1
Starting November 1, 2026, Japan’s tax-free shopping system is changing. To help travelers get familiar with the new system, Japan Shopping Festival (JSF), one of Japan’s largest shopping events for international visitors, will run the “Enjoy! Japan Tax-Free Shopping” quiz campaign from Sunday, November 1, through Monday, November 30.
Entering is easy! Read “How to Get a Tax Refund When Shopping in Japan,” answer the quiz questions, and fill in the required information. Two lucky winners will receive round-trip international tickets to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL).
Whether you’re planning a trip, thinking about visiting, or already traveling in Japan, you’re welcome to enter. New to tax-free shopping? You can refer to the article as you answer the questions!
■ How to Enter
Step 1. Learn about Japan’s new tax-free shopping system
Read “How to Get a Tax Refund When Shopping in Japan” to learn about the new system taking effect on November 1, 2026.
Step 2. Take the quiz
Open the entry form (Google Forms) and answer the questions.
■ How to Enter from Mainland China
Step 1. Read “How to Get a Tax Refund When Shopping in Japan” on JSTO’s official Weibo or Xiaohongshu account.
Step 2. Read the quiz questions and post your answers in the comments to complete your entry.
Entry deadline: Monday, November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Japan Standard Time (JST)
■ Campaign Details
Organizer: Japan Shopping Tourism Organization
Campaign name: Enjoy! Japan Tax-Free Shopping (Take the Quiz & Win Flights to Japan!)
Entry period: Sunday, November 1–Monday, November 30, 2026
Entry deadline: Monday, November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. JST
Eligibility: Non-Japanese nationals living outside Japan who are planning or considering a trip to Japan, and international visitors currently traveling in Japan
Available languages: English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean
■ Prize
Prize: Round-trip international tickets to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL), departing from an overseas city served by JAL. Two winners will be selected.
Travel deadline: Tickets are valid for flights taken on or before March 31, 2027.
Please see the terms and conditions below for details.
Please read the terms and conditions carefully before entering. By entering this campaign, you agree to these terms.
■ Terms and Conditions (Tap to Open)
Tickets are valid only for international flight segments operated by Japan Airli…
- Tickets are valid only for international flight segments operated by Japan Airlines and bearing a JL flight number.
- Tickets are valid for flights taken on or before March 31, 2027.
- Restricted booking periods: December 25–31, 2026, and January 1–11, 2027
- These tickets cannot be used to book or take flights during these periods.
- The prize covers airfare only. Airport taxes, fuel surcharges, transportation, and other costs are not included. Winners are also responsible for transportation and accommodations in Japan, travel document fees such as passport application fees, optional insurance, and all other personal expenses incurred during the trip.
- Tickets are for round-trip travel to Japan from an overseas city served by JAL and are valid only for international flight segments operated by Japan Airlines and bearing a JL flight number.
- Tickets are valid for Economy Class travel on Japan Airlines (JAL), with outbound and return travel on the same route. Tickets cannot be refunded or changed.
- Available flights and seats are limited.
- Tickets not used by the travel deadline will be void.
- The Japan Shopping Festival Office, Japan Shopping Tourism Organization, and Japan Airlines are not responsible for accidents, theft, or other incidents that occur during the trip.
- The prize may change due to natural disasters, transportation conditions, or other circumstances.
- Additional details will be provided in the winner notification.
■ Winner Selection and Notification (Tap to Open)
The campaign office will select winners from eligible entries through a fair and…
- The campaign office will select winners from eligible entries through a fair and impartial drawing conducted under strict procedures.
- Winners will be contacted at the email address provided when entering.
- For entrants from mainland China, the official account will notify winners by direct message to the Weibo or Xiaohongshu account used to enter.
- The campaign office (jsf_support@jsto.or.jp) may contact winners again if needed.
- Results will also be announced on Japan Shopping Now without disclosing personally identifiable information.
- Winners who do not respond by the deadline specified in their notification may forfeit their prize.
- Please watch out for emails or messages from anyone impersonating the campaign office.
■ Important Information (Tap to Open)
This campaign is open to residents outside Japan who are planning or considering…
- This campaign is open to residents outside Japan who are planning or considering a trip to Japan, and international visitors currently traveling in Japan.
- To prevent improper entries and ensure a fair drawing, entries are limited to one per person. If you submit more than one entry, only your most recent submission will be included in the drawing.
- Incomplete or incorrect information, false statements, or other violations may result in disqualification or forfeiture of the prize.
- Winner status and prizes are valid only for the winner and cannot be transferred to another person, exchanged, or redeemed for cash.
- Personal information submitted will be handled securely by Japan Shopping Tourism Organization and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. It will be used only as necessary to operate and administer this campaign, including contacting winners, conducting the drawing, and arranging prizes. Except where disclosure is required by law, personal information will not be disclosed or provided to third parties other than contracted service providers without the entrant’s consent.
- These terms are governed by Japanese law. The Tokyo District Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction as the court of first instance.
- No logos, photos, campaign content, or other materials may be reproduced, appropriated, or reused, in whole or in part, without permission from the Japan Shopping Festival Office and Japan Shopping Tourism Organization.
■ Campaign Information and Official Accounts
Taxfree.jp: https://taxfree.jp/
Campaign website: https://taxfree.jp/en/jsf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JapanShoppingFestival/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/japanshoppingfestival/
Weibo: https://weibo.com/u/5160300665
Xiaohongshu: https://xhslink.com/m/AVrYuBrXNnO
■ Contact
Japan Shopping Tourism Organization
Japan Shopping Festival Office
Email: jsf_support@jsto.or.jp
Please allow extra time for a response depending on the nature of your inquiry.
We cannot respond to inquiries about whether an entry was received or about drawing results.
If you use email filters, please make sure you can receive messages from “@jsto.or.jp.”