Japan tax-free at the airport: the customs check before check-in
Do the customs check in the international departure lobby before you check in your bags. You scan your passport at a tax-free procedure terminal and the screen shows the result in a few seconds. A green result means you are finished. A red result means a customs officer inspects the goods.
What happens at the terminal
The terminals and the customs inspection point are in the international departure lobby, in the area before baggage check-in.
Before baggage check-inPassportAll the goods with you
- Where
- International departure lobby, before baggage check-in
- What you scan
- Your passport
- Green result
- No inspection is needed. The customs procedure is finished.
- Red result
- Show the goods at the customs inspection point.
- Time at the terminal
- A few seconds from the passport scan to the result
Do the customs check before you check in your bags. You must have every item with you at the terminal. Bags handed to the airline cannot be brought back for the tax-free procedure.
Seven airports where you can use your phone
At Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha you can do the check on Visit Japan Web instead of at a terminal.
| Airport | How you can do the check |
|---|---|
| Narita Airport | Terminal or Visit Japan Web |
| Haneda Airport | Terminal or Visit Japan Web |
| Kansai Airport | Terminal or Visit Japan Web |
| Chubu Centrair Airport | Terminal or Visit Japan Web |
| Fukuoka Airport | Terminal or Visit Japan Web |
| New Chitose Airport | Terminal or Visit Japan Web |
| Naha Airport | Terminal or Visit Japan Web |
| Other airports and seaports | Terminal |
The online procedure works inside the part of the international departure lobby covered by its dedicated wireless LAN, up to the security checkpoint.
Arrive early
The customs check, including any inspection, has to be finished before you check in for your flight.
- If you stop an inspection to catch your flight, it does not count as a customs check.
- If you miss your flight because of the procedure, neither the airline nor customs compensates you.
- After the check, take the goods out of Japan without delay. If you do not, the tax is collected and a penalty applies.
If you no longer have everything
The check is made per receipt. If one item on a receipt is missing, nothing on that receipt is confirmed.
- If you ate, drank or used up any of the goods, do not use the terminal. Tell a customs officer at the counter.
- If you lost your passport, had it reissued and shopped tax-free with both passports, scan the new one and tell a customs officer at the counter that you also shopped with the old one.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the tax-free terminal at Japanese airports?
In the international departure lobby, before baggage check-in. The terminals and the customs inspection point are in the area before security.
Can I do the customs check after checking in my luggage?
No. You must have all the goods with you at the terminal, and checked baggage cannot be brought back for the tax-free procedure.
What do green and red mean at the tax-free terminal?
Green means no inspection is needed and the procedure is finished. Red means you show the goods at the customs inspection point.
Which airports let you use Visit Japan Web for the customs check?
Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha.
How long does the tax-free procedure take at the airport?
The terminal takes a few seconds from the passport scan to the result. If an inspection is needed, you show the goods to a customs officer, so arrive early.
Related items
Official FAQ: Japan Tourism Agency
Sources for this page
- Japan Tourism Agency Refund method: page for travellers (旅行者向け特設ページ)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Tourism Agency Frequently Asked Questions for Travelers (Refund Method)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Tourism Agency Refund method leaflet for travellers (English)checked October 2, 2026
- National Tax Agency Q&A on the tax-free shop system under the refund method, overview, April 2026 (輸出物品販売場制度に関するQ&A)checked October 2, 2026
- National Tax Agency, Japan Customs and Japan Tourism Agency Notice to Foreign Travelers Who Purchase Tax-Free Goods (from November 2026)checked October 2, 2026
- Digital Agency Visit Japan Webchecked October 2, 2026
Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026