Sunday, Refund of tourist goods consumption tax at departure airport from 2026

Japan plans to change the consumption tax exemption system for tourists visiting Japan from 2026 at the earliest to refund taxes when they leave the country, the Yomiuri Shimbun and others reported.

The Japanese government and the ruling party plan to reflect the tax reform plan, which will be finalized within this month.

Japan provides tax-free benefits on the spot by presenting passports when tourists to Japan buy goods in the country and receiving payment for goods excluding consumption tax if they prove that they are staying within six months.

When the new system is implemented, tourists will pay the price including consumption tax at stores in Japan, check the export of purchased goods to the National Assembly at the airport leaving the country, and receive a refund of consumption tax.

Japan is changing the system because it believes that some tourists are cheating on profits by selling back goods in Japan instead of taking out duty-free goods outside the country.