Tax-Free Shopping

Starting November 1, 2026, the tax-free shopping system will change to a refund-based system. For details, please refer to the information　HERE
2026年11月1日以降の購入分から、免税制度はリファンド方式に変更されました。
詳しくは、観光庁からのご案内をご確認ください。

｜Table of Contents

Tax-Free Shopping
Tax-Free Purchase Process
Eligibility Requirements

Tax-Free Shopping

Tax-free shopping is available at GU stores.

Online Store purchases are not eligible for tax-free shopping. This also applies when you select in-store pickup or payment at a GU store.

Tax-Free Purchase Process

1.Purchase items at the store

Purchase your items at the tax-inclusive price.

2.Complete tax-free registration at the store

If you do not complete the tax-free registration, you will not be eligible for a consumption tax refund.
The tax-free registration process varies by store. At some stores, you may need to proceed to the tax-free counter in the store. If you are unsure, please ask a staff member for assistance.

3.Complete Customs confirmation

Please depart Japan within 90 days of the purchase date and complete Customs confirmation when departing.

4.Complete the refund procedure

Any time after purchase * Must be completed within 180 days of the purchase date
For detailed procedures Please click here
⇒The subsequent refund process will begin after Customs confirmation.

Eligibility Requirements

Tax-free shopping is available to the following customers.

Foreign nationals who are non-residents of Japan

The purchase total must be at least JPY 5,500, including tax (JPY 5,000 before tax).
Please depart Japan within 90 days of the purchase date and complete Customs confirmation when departing.

Status of residence, etc.	Required documents
Temporary Visitor	Passport Landing permission endorsement (sticker)
Diplomat
Official
Landing permission, etc.	Required documents
Landing Permission at a Port of Call	Passport Landing Permission at a Port of Call endorsement (sticker)
Landing Permission for Transit	Passport Landing Permission for Transit endorsement (sticker)
U.S. Armed Forces personnel and others entering Japan under the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement	Passport “SOFA” stamp
Landing Permission for Cruise Ship Tourists	Passport or a copy of the passport, and a Landing Permit for Cruise Ship Tourists Landing Permit for Cruise Ship Tourists
Landing Permission for Crew Members	Passport and Landing Permit for Crew Members Landing Permit for Crew Members
Landing Permission in an Emergency	Passport and Emergency Landing Permit Emergency Landing Permit
Landing Permission Due to Distress	Passport and Landing Permit Due to Distress Landing Permit Due to Distress

Customers who can present a tax-free QR code through Visit Japan Web do not need to present their passport in store.

Japanese nationals temporarily returning to Japan

The purchase total must be at least JPY 5,500, including tax (JPY 5,000 before tax).
Please depart Japan within 90 days of the purchase date and complete Customs confirmation when departing.

Requirement	Required documents
Supporting documents must confirm that you have continuously maintained an address or place of residence outside Japan for at least two years.	Passport and a copy of the supplementary family register, a certificate of residence abroad, or a My Number Card

A certificate of residence abroad includes one provided as an electronic record, commonly referred to as an e-certificate, or a paper printout of an e-certificate.

A My Number Card includes a digital alternative to the physical card, such as a My Number Card on a smartphone, and must state that the holder has moved abroad.

Important Notes

Your date of entry must be verified upon tax-free registration.
Tax-free shopping is not available if you use an automated immigration gate when entering Japan and your passport does not contain an entry endorsement.
Purchases made at different GU stores cannot be combined for tax-free processing.
For information about returning or exchanging tax-free purchases, please click here.
An item purchased through the Online Store for in-store pickup cannot be returned at the pickup store and then repurchased as a tax-free purchase.
App member-exclusive prices do not apply to tax-free purchases.

For Foreign Embassies and Diplomats

GU CO., LTD. has been designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan as a consumption tax-exempt store for foreign diplomatic missions and similar organizations, known as a DS store.

Tax exemption has been available since August, 2022, except at certain stores.

Online Store purchases are not eligible for tax-free shopping.
This also applies when you select in-store pickup or payment at a GU store.

Tax Exemption Information

Consumption tax exemption for foreign diplomatic missions and similar organizations applies to embassies, legations, consulates and similar organizations, as well as ambassadors, ministers, consuls and similar officials. Eligibility is limited to organizations and individuals who have been issued a certificate, or tax exemption card, by the Chief of Protocol of the Minister’s Secretariat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
When purchasing merchandise, please present your tax exemption card and submit a Tax-Exempt Purchase Form for Foreign Diplomatic Missions and Similar Organizations with all required information completed.
Each tax exemption card specifies the eligible scope of exemption and the minimum purchase amount. For details, please visit the Regional Taxation Bureau website.
You will be redirected to an external website.

Documents required for tax exemption