Guides › Rules Q&A
Used, Eaten or Lost One Item: What Now?
Free refund calculator — see your number in 10 seconds →Customs confirms per purchase (receipt). If even one item from a receipt is missing, none of that receipt is refunded (JTA FAQ).
- Do not run that receipt through the kiosk.
- Tell the customs staff (counter) that you consumed it, as the JTA FAQ instructs.
- Other receipts with everything present still qualify.
| Receipt | Status |
|---|---|
| #1: 3 items, all with you | Refund OK |
| #2: 4 items, 1 eaten | No refund for #2 |
→ 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?
- Can I Mail Tax-Free Items Home?
- 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 — Refund Method for travelers (Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp