Japan to change tax-free shopping rules for tourists from Nov 1
Starting November 1, tourists in Japan must pay consumption tax upfront on tax-exempt goods and claim a refund upon departure. This policy change aims to curb the illegal resale of tax-free items within the country.
Why it matters
This shift in tax policy could impact tourism logistics and shopping habits, potentially leading to longer wait times at airports for departing travelers.
The change is intended to prevent visitors from purchasing tax-exempt goods and reselling them within Japan.
People shop inside a tax-free drugstore at the Ameyoko shopping district in Tokyo, Japan, on May 15, 2025. (File photo: Reuters/Issei Kato)
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