Don Quijote Tax-Free Japan 2026: Airport Refund Changes Explained

Don Quijote Tax-Free 2026

Refunds after airport customs verification starting November

Photos/Text ⓒMinimanimu

If you're doing tax-free shopping in Japan starting November,

before checking your luggage at the airport,

you'll need to get customs verification first.

At the store, you'll pay the tax-inclusive price,

and you must get customs verification upon departure

to receive a refund equivalent to the consumption tax.

Even if you do the same shopping moving forward,

the process of paying at the store and processing at the airport

will change.

I've put together some key information to know before your trip.

This change isn't just a Don Quijote policy;

it's a reform of Japan's consumption tax exemption system.

The application standard is not your departure date,

but purchases made on or after November 1, 2026.

If you purchase on October 31

and depart in November with those items,

the existing method will apply based on the purchase date.

From November, the process changes to paying the tax-inclusive amount first,

and then receiving a refund after completing customs verification upon departure.

The Don Quijote tax-free threshold is the total amount of items purchased on the same day, totaling ~$32 or more before tax at the same duty-free store.

Purchase amounts from different stores or on different dates

cannot be combined to meet this threshold.

For typical short-term tourists,

make sure to bring your passport and declare your intention to make a tax-free purchase,

then follow the store's guidance to complete the purchase procedure.

① Tax-free purchase procedure, including passport presentation

② Payment of tax-inclusive amount

③ Confirm and register the refund method provided by the store

Under the new system, before you hand over your luggage to the airline,

you'll need to complete your customs check first.

You must complete the procedure with all your duty-free items in hand,

and once your luggage has already been checked in with the airline,

you won't be able to retrieve it for duty-free verification.

Guide to Departure Procedures (Customs Check)

① Head to the International Departures Lobby with your passport and duty-free items.

② Scan your passport at the duty-free customs terminal.

③ Check the GREEN · RED result.

④ If RED, proceed to the designated area for item inspection.

⑤ After customs verification is complete, check in your luggage.

Within 90 days from the purchase date,

you must get them verified when departing from Japan.

Can I use Visit Japan Web for this?

The airports included in the official guide are

Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, New Chitose,

Fukuoka, and Naha — a total of 7 locations.

At these airports, you can complete the online procedure using Visit Japan Web

in the dedicated Wi-Fi enabled areas within the International Departures Lobby before security screening.

Even if you proceed online,

if the result indicates that an item inspection is required,

you must still undergo the inspection.

​

① Can I open Don Quijote duty-free packaging?

Starting in November,

the special packaging requirement for consumables will be abolished.

If consumables like snacks, drinks, or cosmetics

are consumed during your stay in Japan, they will not be eligible for a refund.

② Even if just one item is missing from the same receipt, it has an impact.

Among the items included in a single transaction,

if even one item is not in your possession, the entire transaction

will be excluded from refund eligibility.

If you have consumed some or all of the items,

do not proceed with the terminal as is,

but inform a customs counter staff member.

③ When and who issues the refund?

Customs verifies the export of goods,

while the actual refund is processed by the duty-free store or a refund operator

commissioned by that store.

Starting in November, you'll first pay the tax-inclusive amount,

and then receive your refund after departure verification.

The sequence is to complete the procedure with your passport and duty-free items in hand,

and then check in your luggage.

Separate items you'll eat or use in Japan from your duty-free purchases,

and make sure your duty-free purchase is ¥5,000 or more before tax.

After November, it's become crucial to factor in the customs check upon departure

as part of your shopping itinerary.

At the store, you'll pay the tax-inclusive amount and register your refund method.

At the airport, you'll complete customs verification before checking in your luggage.

If you're shopping at Don Quijote,

Also, make sure to prepare any additional discount coupons beforehand,

and remembering this entire sequence of tips together would be really helpful!

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