Tax-free refund system starts: only 49.9% of Chinese visitors aware

From sales on 1 November, Japan's consumption tax exemption for foreign visitors switches to a refund method paid at departure. A survey by an inbound-marketing firm found that only 49.9% of Chinese travellers planning a trip to Japan knew about the change. Clear in-store explanations will matter more than ever.

Key points

From sales on 1 Nov 2026, visitors pay the tax-inclusive price and receive the consumption-tax amount back after customs confirms the goods leave Japan
49.9% of 341 Japan-bound respondents said they knew about the change; 50.1% did not
Most wanted services: Chinese-language website/mini-program 55.1%, advance check of eligible items 47.8%, cashless refund 43.4%

Background

According to the survey publisher, the main aim of the revision is to prevent misuse such as domestic resale of tax-free goods. The release also notes that the split between general goods and consumables, special-packaging rules for consumables and the removal of the previous per-store, per-day purchase cap (JPY 500,000 before tax) are expected to ease paperwork for shops and improve convenience for travellers, citing guidance from the Japan Tourism Agency and Customs.

The survey was run on WeChat in August 2026 among 5,471 residents of ten Chinese cities; the findings here use the 341 who planned to visit Japan during the National Day holiday. The sample is limited, and it is an online survey run by a company that sells tax-refund systems, so treat the figures as indicative.

What it means for shops

Shops selling tax-free goods may meet many visitors who do not yet understand paying the full price first. How well staff can explain the process may affect satisfaction and purchase decisions.

What shops should do

Check the official Japan Tourism Agency and Customs pages to confirm whether your products count as general goods or consumables and what procedures apply

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Original releasePR TIMESprtimes.jp ↗

Summaries are written by Seiichi Studio based on the original releases. Always check the source for the exact details.

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