The most practical part of the new scheme takes place at the airport. There, customs simply checks, through unmanned kiosks, that the goods are leaving the country. The money, however, is returned by the retailers rather than the airport, and it usually reaches the traveller's credit card within one to two weeks. It is a detail worth knowing, because many tourists assume they will receive the refund at the counter and may be surprised to find that the process is not instant.
Alongside this shift come several simplifications that retailers will welcome. The obligation to seal packaging for cosmetics and consumer goods disappears, the distinction between general goods and consumables is removed, and the daily limit of 500,000 yen on consumable items is scrapped. For shops this means less paperwork and less friction at the till; for visitors, greater freedom to buy make-up, food, medicine or souvenirs without worrying about special packaging.
Strict rules remain, though. Products must physically leave the country with the traveller, and since April 2025 shipping purchases home separately no longer qualifies for the exemption. Items must also be used outside Japan within 90 days of purchase to remain eligible. Experts advise keeping receipts, not opening anything before departure, and arriving at the airport with enough time to complete the formalities.
Shopping tourism is one of the great drivers of spending by international visitors in Japan. Department stores, electronics shops, luxury boutiques, cosmetics chains and traditional-goods stores all depend heavily on that flow. The new system aims to curb abuse and organise tax management, but it also raises questions about how it will affect the experience: paying tax up front may discourage impulse purchases of small value, while the deferred refund demands trust in the procedure.
For businesses in the sector, preparation is essential. Shops will have to adapt their point-of-sale systems, train staff and explain clearly in several languages how to claim the refund. Agencies, hotels and booking platforms can play a useful role by informing their customers before the trip. If the transition is handled well, Japan will keep one of its biggest commercial attractions and maintain its position as a global reference for shopping tourism.
A final note concerns Spanish and European travellers planning a trip to Japan: comparing conditions, keeping receipts and allowing enough time at the airport can make the difference between a smooth process and a setback. With the reform, the country is betting on a more orderly system, although its success will depend on information reaching visitors clearly from the very first moment.
For visitors, the practical advice is simple: check how each shop handles the new procedure before paying, and keep passports and purchases together until the airport formalities are complete. For retailers, the reform is an opportunity to improve customer service and to build loyalty among the millions of shoppers who treat Japan as a global benchmark for quality and design.
Operators specialising in luxury travel are also following the change closely, because their clients make high-value purchases and expect a quick, discreet and transparent process. Offering personalised help with the refund could become an added value that sets boutiques and upscale hotels apart.
