Guides › Refund
How & When You Get the Money Back
Free refund calculator — see your number in 10 seconds →The refund is paid by the tax-free shop or its refund operator, using the method you registered at purchase, after customs confirms at departure (Customs, JTA).
| Possible method (per JTA FAQ) | Who decides |
|---|---|
| Bank transfer | The shop |
| Credit-card refund | The shop |
| App transfer | The shop |
| Cash at the departure airport/seaport | The shop |
No official uniform payout time is published — ask the shop or operator when you register. Keep the receipt/QR they give you.
→ 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 — Customs Procedure Details: 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