Government

Japan's new airport tax refund kiosks draw positive reviews from travelers

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November 4, 2026

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Japan's new airport tax refund kiosks are receiving positive initial reviews from Hong Kong travelers following the introduction of a system requiring international visitors to complete tax refund procedures before departing the country, according to a South China Morning Post report. The system, which took effect Nov. 1, replaces the previous practice of exempting eligible purchases from Japan's 10% consumption tax at the point of sale. Under the new arrangement, tourists pay the tax when shopping and complete customs verification at airport kiosks or through the Visit Japan Web platform.

Travelers returning to Hong Kong reported that the new process was straightforward, with some completing verification in less than a minute. Passengers must complete customs verification before checking their luggage, allowing authorities to confirm that eligible purchases are leaving Japan. Most travelers receive automatic clearance after scanning their passports, while others may be directed to customs officers for physical inspection of their purchases. The changes are intended to prevent tax evasion and the unauthorized resale of tax-free merchandise within Japan.

The rollout also introduces additional self-service technology at major Japanese airports. Japan Airport Terminal Co. and Glory Ltd. launched automated cash refund machines at Haneda, Narita and Naha airports Nov. 1, allowing eligible travelers to collect refunds in Japanese yen after customs verification. The machines support multiple languages and are designed to complete cash refunds in approximately one minute. The companies plan to expand the service to additional Japanese airports by March 2028.