Japan tax-free shopping goes fully digital — new rules from April 2025

Since April 1, 2025, all tax-free purchases are recorded in a government database linked to your passport. You must present your physical passport at point of sale — not a copy, not a phone photo. Eligible items: General goods (electronics, clothing, accessories) over ¥5,000. Consumables (food, cosmetics, medicines) over ¥5,000. Combined with general goods, total must exceed ¥5,001. Items must leave Japan — random customs checks at departure. Keeping tax-free items in Japan will result in retroactive tax charges plus penalties. Claim refund at time of purchase, not at airport.