Guides › Who is eligible
Who Can Shop Tax-Free in Japan (from Nov 1, 2026)?
Short answer: non-residents. For foreign nationals, it must be confirmable that you entered Japan less than 6 months ago (JTA eligible-purchaser list).
| You are… | Eligible? | What you show at the shop |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign visitor, Temporary Visitor (短期滞在) status | Yes | Passport |
| Cruise passenger with a shore-pass (船舶観光上陸許可) | Yes | Passport (or copy) + landing permit |
| Crew / transit / port-of-call landing permit | Yes | Passport + the permit |
| Japanese citizen living abroad 2+ years, back less than 6 months | Yes | Passport + proof of overseas address (see our guide) |
| Foreigner living in Japan (work, student, etc.) | Not on the official list | — |
The list on the JTA PDF is the official reference; if your status is not on it, ask the shop before paying.
→ 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 Residents of Japan Use Tax-Free Shopping?
- Japanese Citizens Living Abroad: Tax-Free on a Visit Home
Official sources
Rules checked October 30, 2026 (JST). Rules can change; always confirm with the official pages and your shop.
- Japan Tourism Agency — Eligible purchasers list (PDF, Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp
- Japan Tourism Agency — Old vs new comparison table (PDF, Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp