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Need to get to the airport early ๐
Starting November 1st, Japan's new duty-free system will change to a 'pay first, refund later' method. According to the latest official guidelines released by the Japanese government, travelers who purchase items at a tax-inclusive price must bring all items they wish to claim a refund for to the airport or port on the day of departure. They can then process the refund at a tax-refund machine, or complete the tax-refund procedure online using Visit Japan Web (VJW) at seven designated airports. After confirming the goods have been taken out of Japan, duty-free shops, etc., will refund the taxes according to the traveler's registered method.
2026.10.12 AM 9:25 ยท View Count 4
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This change has indeed made the departure process more cumbersome. Travelers who are used to meticulously planning their itineraries will likely need to allocate more buffer time for queuing at the airport. Since the crowds at the tax refund counters can be unpredictable, it's advisable to arrive at the airport well in advance if you plan to complete all procedures on your departure day.