Guides › By item

Cosmetics & Skincare: Tax-Free Rules from Nov 2026

Free refund calculator — see your number in 10 seconds →

Yes, if the purchase is ¥5,000+ before tax at one shop on one day. Since Nov 2026 there is no special sealed packaging and no ¥500,000 consumables cap.

The catch

If you use cosmetics bought tax-free in Japan, they are not eligible for customs confirmation (refund).
Customs checks per receipt: if even one item from that receipt is not with you, the whole receipt gets no refund.
If you used some, don't use the kiosk for it — tell customs staff at the counter (JTA FAQ).

Example (10% items)	Before tax	Eligible?
Tag total ¥5,500	¥5,000	Yes — tax inside ≈ ¥500
Tag total ¥5,400	¥4,909	No — under ¥5,000
¥8,800, one lipstick opened in Japan	¥8,000	No — whole receipt fails

Tip: buy what you'll use during the trip on a separate receipt.

→ Estimate your refund with the free calculator · Departure checklist · All guides

Planning a Japan trip after Nov 1, 2026?

Tax-Free Refund Field Guide ($7) — a step-by-step English guide to the new refund process, from shop to airport.
Japan Trip Planner Pack ($9) — planning templates for a first Japan trip.
Tax-Free Receipt Tracker 2026 (from $5) — spreadsheet that flags the ¥5,000 minimum, 90-day deadline and estimated refund per shop/day.

Paid products by GuroWorks, the publisher of this free site (advertisement for our own products). 14-day refund on Gumroad for the guide. The calculator stays free.

Related guides

Official sources

Rules checked October 30, 2026 (JST). Rules can change; always confirm with the official pages and your shop.

Japan Customs — Tax Exemption (Refund) Program: www.customs.go.jp
Japan Tourism Agency — Traveler FAQ (Refund Method, Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp
Japan Tourism Agency — Refund Method for travelers (Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp