From 1 November 2026, a client shopping tax-free in Japan pays the full price at the till and gets the tax back on the way out. It is the largest change to a tourist refund scheme across our four destinations in years, and it moves the refund from the shop counter to the departure day — which is the day an itinerary has the least slack.
For a group, that turns shopping from a retail detail into a timing question. The four destinations now handle the same idea in four different ways, and the briefing has to say which one applies where.
O que muda no Japão a 1 de novembro
Until now, a registered store in Japão took the 10 per cent consumption tax off at the point of sale. Under the new system the client pays the tax-inclusive price, keeps the purchase records, and completes a departure procedure before check-in — at a customs terminal or through Visit Japan Web, according to the guidance published so far. Goods can be selected for inspection. Once the procedure is done, the refund is paid by the method the store offers.
Some rules loosen at the same time. The minimum stays at 5,000 yen before tax, per store per day. The 500,000-yen cap on consumables is abolished, and so is the sealed-packaging requirement — although consumables still may not be used before departure. Goods must leave Japan within 90 days of purchase.
The practical consequence is simple: the refund is now claimed at the airport, so the airport time has to exist. A group that used to shop tax-free and walk out of the store now needs a margin before check-in on departure day.
Como se comparam os outros três
Coreia keeps the refund at the counter. Participating stores offer an immediate refund on presentation of a passport. Reported limits for 2026 are 1 million won per transaction and 5 million won per stay, with a minimum purchase of 15,000 won; anything above the immediate limits goes through the ordinary refund process, which is claimed at departure. For most group shopping, Korea is the easy case.
Tailândia refunds 7 per cent VAT at the airport. Purchases must reach 2,000 baht per store per day at shops displaying the VAT Refund for Tourists sign, and 5,000 baht in total. The shop issues a P.P.10 form with the tax invoice, the goods must leave within 60 days, and the claim is made at the departure airport — with the goods available for inspection before check-in.
Indonésia also refunds at departure. Tax invoices from registered retailers must each reach Rp500,000 and a cumulative minimum applies. The claim is made at the departure airport on the day of departure, with passport, boarding pass and invoices; smaller refunds can be paid in cash and larger ones by transfer.
O que significa para um itinerário de grupo
Three of the four destinations now put the refund on departure day. That changes two things in a programme.
The airport transfer time. A group whose clients intend to claim needs a buffer before check-in, and the buffer grows with the size of the group, because inspection and kiosk queues are per passenger. Plan the transfer from the last hotel with that in mind rather than from the flight time alone.
The shopping stop's position. A shopping stop on the final day in Japan, Thailand or Indonesia now pushes paperwork into the tightest window of the trip. Placing it earlier leaves time to deal with a missing form or receipt before the airport, not at it.
O que não dizer ao cliente
Do not promise a refund amount. Eligibility depends on the store, the thresholds and the inspection, and in Japan the refund method is set by the store.
Do not describe Japan's old system after 31 October. Clients who travelled before will expect the discount at the till; the briefing should say plainly that this has changed.
Do not treat the refund as the agency's responsibility. It is a transaction between the traveller, the retailer and the authorities. The agency's job is to make the time for it.
Perguntas frequentes
When does Japan's new tax-free system start? On 1 November 2026. Purchases from that date follow the refund model; the traveller pays the tax at the store and reclaims it on departure.
Is the Japanese minimum purchase changing? No. It remains 5,000 yen before tax at the same store on the same day. The cap on consumables is removed.
Which destination is simplest for group shopping? Korea, where participating stores deduct the tax immediately within the published limits.
Should the itinerary change? Usually only at the edges: a longer airport buffer on departure day, and shopping placed earlier in the stay rather than on the last morning.
Onde entra a Explera
We build the departure-day timing into every programme across the four destinations and flag which shopping stops fall under which refund model. For a 2027 group plan, write to b2b@expleradmc.com or message +66 93 656 8090. Explera DMC is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733).
