Guides › Rules Q&A
Can I Mail Tax-Free Items Home?
Free refund calculator — see your number in 10 seconds →Not by yourself: posting tax-free goods home yourself (別送) ended on March 31, 2025 (JTA FAQ).
| Option | Status |
|---|---|
| You mail it from a post office | Not allowed for tax-free |
| The shop ships it overseas for you | Depends on the shop — ask before buying |
| Carry it out yourself | Standard — must be with you at the kiosk |
Quantity is limited to what you can personally carry out of Japan.
→ 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
- Can I Combine Purchases from Different Shops?
- Used, Eaten or Lost One Item: What Now?
- Red Result, Checked Bags, No Time: What Happens
Official sources
Rules checked October 30, 2026 (JST). Rules can change; always confirm with the official pages and your shop.
- Japan Tourism Agency — Traveler FAQ (Refund Method, Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp
- Japan Tourism Agency — Old vs new comparison table (PDF, Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp