Where do I do tax-free (refund) procedures at Narita Airport?

The customs kiosk, where customs confirms the tax-free goods you are taking out of Japan, is in the area before departure procedures. In Terminal 1 it is on the 4th floor inside the Airport Mall, in Terminal 2 on the 3rd floor, and in Terminal 3 on the 2nd floor. You must complete customs confirmation before you check your baggage (before putting your purchases into checked baggage).

What happens if I go to a refund facility without confirming at a customs kiosk or on Visit Japan Web?

If customs confirmation is not complete, you cannot receive your refund at a refund facility. Complete your confirmation (declaration) at a customs kiosk or on Visit Japan Web, then go to the refund facility. You cannot return to the area before departure procedures once you have gone through departure procedures, so if you forget customs confirmation and go through departure procedures, you will not be able to receive your refund.

Can I do tax-free procedures after I check my baggage?

No. Customs confirmation must be completed before you check your baggage. You must bring all the tax-free goods you purchased with you for customs confirmation. You do not need the goods when you receive your refund.

What is the difference between a customs kiosk and a refund facility?

A customs kiosk is a terminal where customs confirms the tax-free goods you are taking out of Japan. A refund facility (refund terminal) is where you receive your refund in cash (Japanese yen).

Where are the refund facilities?

There are refund facilities both before and after departure procedures (Terminal 3 has them only after departure procedures). Before departure procedures, they are in the Airport Mall on the 4th floor of Terminal 1 and next to check-in counter G on the 3rd floor of Terminal 2. After departure procedures, they are in front of the immigration checkpoint on the South Wing and on the North Wing of Terminal 1; near Gate 61, near Gate 71, and on the satellite side of the connecting passage in Terminal 2; and on the 3rd floor of Terminal 3. Narita is the only airport with a refund facility before departure procedures.

What is the difference between the refund facilities before and after departure procedures?

They are run by different companies, and the refund operators (approved transmission operators) they cover differ in part. Before departure procedures, at Self Tax Refund, you can receive refunds for purchases made through J&J Tax Free, Smart Technologies & Resources, Global Tax Free-Planet, AddSmart, LINKTIVITY, and IntaSect Communications, 6 operators in total (as of November 2, 2026). After departure procedures, at Cash Japan, you can receive refunds for purchases made through Global Blue, J-TaxRefund, Smart Detax, and IntaSect.

How can I receive a cash refund at Terminal 3?

There is no refund facility in the area before departure procedures at Terminal 3. You receive your cash refund at the refund facility in the area after departure procedures. Before departure procedures, always complete confirmation (declaration) at a customs kiosk or on Visit Japan Web. If you go through departure procedures without completing it, you will not be able to receive your refund.

What do I need to receive a cash refund at a refund facility?

You need to choose cash as your refund method, at the tax-free shop at the time of purchase, or on the website or app by the time of customs determination. Check with the shop where you buy whether you can receive your refund at the airport. On the day, after you receive a green result at the customs kiosk, show your passport at the refund facility and receive your refund in cash (Japanese yen).

If I receive my refund by credit card or another cashless method, do I still need to go to a refund facility?

No. If you want your refund by credit card or another cashless method, you do not need to do anything at a refund facility. Follow the instructions from each tax-free shop.

What are the operating hours of the refund facilities?

The facilities before departure procedures (Terminals 1 and 2) are open 6:00–24:00. The facilities after departure procedures (Terminals 1, 2, and 3) are open 24 hours*. *You can enter the area after departure procedures only during the operating hours of the security checkpoint.

Can I process a refund for my family all at once?

No. In one procedure, you can receive a refund for the purchases registered to one passport, and each person must operate the machine themselves.

Is the refund the full amount of the consumption tax I paid?

The amount is after refund fees and other deductions. In addition, for user safety and legal compliance, upper limits are set for each refund operator.

What should I do if the customs kiosk is crowded?

You can also complete customs confirmation on Visit Japan Web. You do this while connected to the dedicated Wi-Fi. The dedicated Wi-Fi is available only in the area before departure procedures: the 4th floor of Terminal 1 (including the Airport Mall), the 3rd floor of Terminal 2, and the 2nd floor of Terminal 3. You need to register your passport information and other details in advance.

Is there a deadline for tax-free procedures?

Yes. You must have customs confirm the export of your tax-free goods within 90 days of the purchase date.

When does the new tax-free system start?

It starts with purchases made on or after November 1, 2026. You pay the price including consumption tax when you buy, and an amount equivalent to the consumption tax is refunded after customs confirmation when you leave Japan.

Narita Airport Tax Refund: Before You Check Your Bags

Date published: 11 November 2026

Unsure about Narita’s tax refund? Confirm at a customs kiosk before checking bags, then get cash at a refund facility.

Important

Complete customs confirmation (declaration) before you go to a refund facility

You cannot receive your cash (Japanese yen) refund at a refund facility until you have completed confirmation (declaration) at a customs kiosk or on Visit Japan Web.
Many travelers go straight to a refund facility without being confirmed. Complete your confirmation first, then go to the refund facility.
If you will receive your refund by credit card or another cashless method, customs confirmation is still required.
At Terminal 3, the refund facility is only in the area after departure procedures. The customs kiosk is before departure procedures, so if you forget the confirmation and go through departure procedures, you will not be able to receive your refund.

Narita Airport Tax-Free Procedures: 3 Things to Know First

Key points

Where to go: The "customs kiosk," where customs confirms the tax-free goods you are taking out of Japan, is in the area before departure procedures (security check and immigration). Complete customs confirmation before you check your baggage (before putting your purchases into checked baggage).
Receiving your refund: You receive a cash (Japanese yen) refund at a "refund facility (refund terminal)." Refund facilities are located both before and after departure procedures, and the refund operators (approved transmission operators) they cover differ in part. Narita is the only airport with a refund facility before departure procedures.
Deadline and what to bring: Complete the procedures within 90 days of the purchase date. Bring all the tax-free goods you purchased with you for customs confirmation. You do not need the goods when you receive your refund at the refund facility.

For the tax-free system itself (eligibility, how to buy, and so on), see our guide to Japan's tax-free system. This article focuses on procedures at Narita Airport.

Customs Kiosk and Refund Facility Locations by Terminal at Narita Airport

Here are the locations of the customs kiosks and refund facilities in Terminals 1 to 3. First, let's look at how the two differ.

Customs kiosk vs. refund facility

Customs kiosk: A terminal where customs confirms the tax-free goods you are taking out of Japan. It is in the area before departure procedures. You show your passport to be confirmed.
Refund facility (refund terminal): The place where you receive your refund in cash (Japanese yen). There are refund facilities before and after departure procedures, run by different companies. If you want your refund by credit card or another cashless method, you do not need to use one.

The floors and operating hours are shown in the table below.

Terminal	Customs kiosk (before departure procedures)	Refund facility (before departure procedures)	Refund facility (after departure procedures)
Terminal 1	4F	4F 6:00–24:00	3F 24 hours*
Terminal 2	3F	3F 6:00–24:00	3F 24 hours*
Terminal 3	2F	None	3F 24 hours*

*You can enter the area after departure procedures only during the operating hours of the security checkpoint.

For the locations of customs kiosks and refund facilities, please check the official Narita Airport website.

*Operating hours of the refund facilities before departure procedures are based on the official Self Tax Refund website (self-service consumption tax refunds at Japanese airports), and those of the refund facilities after departure procedures are based on the official Cash Japan website.

Terminal 1: 4F (before departure procedures) and 3F (after departure procedures)

Locations

Before departure procedures (4F, inside the Airport Mall): The customs kiosk and the refund facility are here.
After departure procedures (3F): The refund facilities are in front of the immigration checkpoint on the South Wing and on the North Wing.

Terminal 2: 3F (before and after departure procedures)

Locations

Before departure procedures (3F): The customs kiosk is near check-in counter A. The refund facility is next to check-in counter G.
After departure procedures (3F): The refund facilities are near Gate 61, near Gate 71, and on the satellite side of the connecting passage.

Terminal 3: 2F (before departure procedures) and 3F (after departure procedures)

Locations

Before departure procedures (2F): The customs kiosk is in front of check-in counter G. There is no refund facility in the area before departure procedures.
After departure procedures (3F): There is a refund facility. You receive your cash refund here.

Important

At Terminal 3, always complete confirmation before departure procedures

The customs kiosk is only before departure procedures (2F), and the refund facility is only after departure procedures (3F).
If you go through departure procedures without completing confirmation (declaration) at a customs kiosk or on Visit Japan Web, you will not be able to receive your refund at the refund facility.

How Tax-Free Refund Procedures Work at Narita Airport

4 steps

Buy at a tax-free shop: Pay the price including consumption tax. If you want your refund in cash (Japanese yen), choose cash as your refund method at the time of purchase, or by the time of customs confirmation, on the website or app that the tax-free shop directs you to. Check with the shop where you buy whether you can receive your refund at the airport.
Go to the area before departure procedures: At the airport, go to the area before departure procedures before you check your baggage (before putting your purchases into checked baggage). Bring all the tax-free goods you purchased with you.
Confirm at a customs kiosk or on Visit Japan Web: Show your passport and have customs confirm your purchases. If the result is green, the confirmation is complete. If the result is red, customs will check, in person, all the items you are taking out of Japan at the inspection area next to the customs kiosk. Always complete this confirmation before you go to a refund facility. Once customs confirmation is done, you can check in and drop off your baggage.
Receive your refund at a refund facility: After a green result, receive your refund in cash (Japanese yen) at a refund facility. Refund facilities are located both before and after departure procedures. *Narita is the only airport with a refund facility before departure procedures. If you depart from another airport, check that airport's guidance. If you want your refund by credit card or another cashless method, you do not need to do anything at a refund facility.

The locations of the customs kiosks are in the previous section. The refund operators (approved transmission operators) covered by the refund facilities differ in part between before and after departure procedures. Check with the shop where you buy which one you can use.

Refund Facilities Before vs. After Departure Procedures

Before departure procedures (Self Tax Refund)

Location: In the area before departure procedures in Terminals 1 and 2. Narita is the only airport with a refund facility before departure procedures.
Hours: 6:00–24:00.
Procedure: With a simple operation, such as scanning your passport, you receive cash (Japanese yen) in about one minute.
Languages and support: The refund machines support 12 languages: Japanese, English, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Korean, French, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Russian, Hindi, and Indonesian. On-site staff and remote avatar staff are available to help.
Available refund operators: 6 operators: J&J Tax Free, Smart Technologies & Resources, Global Tax Free-Planet, AddSmart, LINKTIVITY, and IntaSect Communications (as of November 2, 2026). More refund operators are expected to be added.

Self Tax Refund machines at a refund facility before departure procedures

After departure procedures (Cash Japan)

Location: On the 3rd floor, in the area after departure procedures in Terminals 1, 2, and 3.
Hours: 24 hours*. *You can enter the area after departure procedures only during the operating hours of the security checkpoint.
Procedure: Show your passport and receive your refund in cash (Japanese yen).
Languages and support: 17 languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Thai, and Indonesian.
Available refund operators: 4 operators: Global Blue, J-TaxRefund, Smart Detax, and IntaSect. If the refund operator for your purchase is not one of these 4, you cannot receive your refund at Cash Japan.

*Information about the facilities before departure procedures is based on the "Self Tax Refund" website and the announcement by Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd. and GLORY LTD. Information about the facilities after departure procedures is based on the official Cash Japan website.

Notes on Receiving Cash at a Refund Facility

Check before you go

Choose cash as your refund method at the time of purchase, or by the time of customs confirmation, on the website or app that the tax-free shop directs you to. Some refund operators require registration in advance.
You can receive refunds only for purchases made through the refund operators that each facility supports.
The refund amount is the amount after refund fees and other deductions. In addition, for user safety and legal compliance, upper limits are set for each refund operator.
You cannot process a refund for your whole family at once. Each person must operate the machine with their own passport.
It may take a few minutes for the customs kiosk result to be reflected. If the screen shows "Not yet determined" (未判定), wait a little and try again.

How to Use Visit Japan Web

In addition to the customs kiosk, you can also complete customs confirmation on Visit Japan Web. You do this while connected to the dedicated Wi-Fi.

Where you can connect to the dedicated Wi-Fi (only in the area before departure procedures)

Terminal 1: 4F (including the Airport Mall)
Terminal 2: 3F
Terminal 3: 2F

Dedicated Wi-Fi information

Network name (SSID): Customs_WiFi_For_TaxRefund
Password: jcustoms

3 steps

Connect to the dedicated Wi-Fi: In the area before departure procedures, connect to the dedicated Wi-Fi using the QR code. The network name (SSID) and password are in the box above.
Open Visit Japan Web: Go to the Visit Japan Web site. You need to create an account and register your user information. Register your passport information and other details in advance.
Run the tax-free confirmation: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the procedure. Your purchase data from shops is electronically linked to the National Tax Agency's system, so if you have registered your user information in your account, you can check your result. If the result is green, customs confirmation is complete. If the result is red, customs will check, in person, all the items you are taking out of Japan at the inspection area.

For how to use Visit Japan Web, see also our guide to Japan's tax-free system.

Points to Note

Always check these before you start

Before you go to a refund facility, always complete confirmation (declaration) at a customs kiosk or on Visit Japan Web. If the confirmation is not complete, you cannot receive your refund.
You cannot have customs confirmation after you have checked your baggage. Complete the procedures before you check your baggage (before putting your purchases into checked baggage).
The deadline is within 90 days of the purchase date.
Bring all the tax-free goods you purchased with you for customs confirmation. If even one item from a single tax-free purchase is missing, the entire purchase is ineligible for a refund. You do not need the goods when you receive your refund at the refund facility.
Consumables that you have used or eaten in Japan are not eligible for a refund.
How you receive your refund differs by shop and refund service. It is a good idea to check with the shop where you buy.

Narita Airport Tax-Free Procedures: FAQ

Q. Where do I do tax-free (refund) procedures at Narita Airport?: A. The customs kiosk, where customs confirms the tax-free goods you are taking out of Japan, is in the area before departure procedures. In Terminal 1 it is on the 4th floor inside the Airport Mall, in Terminal 2 on the 3rd floor, and in Terminal 3 on the 2nd floor. You must complete customs confirmation before you check your baggage (before putting your purchases into checked baggage).

Q. What happens if I go to a refund facility without confirming at a customs kiosk or on Visit Japan Web?: A. If customs confirmation is not complete, you cannot receive your refund at a refund facility. Complete your confirmation (declaration) at a customs kiosk or on Visit Japan Web, then go to the refund facility. You cannot return to the area before departure procedures once you have gone through departure procedures, so if you forget customs confirmation and go through departure procedures, you will not be able to receive your refund.

Q. Can I do tax-free procedures after I check my baggage?: A. No. Customs confirmation must be completed before you check your baggage. You must bring all the tax-free goods you purchased with you for customs confirmation. You do not need the goods when you receive your refund.

Q. What is the difference between a customs kiosk and a refund facility?: A. A customs kiosk is a terminal where customs confirms the tax-free goods you are taking out of Japan. A refund facility (refund terminal) is where you receive your refund in cash (Japanese yen).

Q. Where are the refund facilities?: A. There are refund facilities both before and after departure procedures (Terminal 3 has them only after departure procedures). Before departure procedures, they are in the Airport Mall on the 4th floor of Terminal 1 and next to check-in counter G on the 3rd floor of Terminal 2. After departure procedures, they are in front of the immigration checkpoint on the South Wing and on the North Wing of Terminal 1; near Gate 61, near Gate 71, and on the satellite side of the connecting passage in Terminal 2; and on the 3rd floor of Terminal 3. Narita is the only airport with a refund facility before departure procedures.

Q. What is the difference between the refund facilities before and after departure procedures?: A. They are run by different companies, and the refund operators (approved transmission operators) they cover differ in part. Before departure procedures, at Self Tax Refund, you can receive refunds for purchases made through J&J Tax Free, Smart Technologies & Resources, Global Tax Free-Planet, AddSmart, LINKTIVITY, and IntaSect Communications, 6 operators in total (as of November 2, 2026). After departure procedures, at Cash Japan, you can receive refunds for purchases made through Global Blue, J-TaxRefund, Smart Detax, and IntaSect.

Q. How can I receive a cash refund at Terminal 3?: A. There is no refund facility in the area before departure procedures at Terminal 3. You receive your cash refund at the refund facility in the area after departure procedures. Before departure procedures, always complete confirmation (declaration) at a customs kiosk or on Visit Japan Web. If you go through departure procedures without completing it, you will not be able to receive your refund.

Q. What do I need to receive a cash refund at a refund facility?: A. You need to choose cash as your refund method, at the tax-free shop at the time of purchase, or on the website or app by the time of customs determination. Check with the shop where you buy whether you can receive your refund at the airport. On the day, after you receive a green result at the customs kiosk, show your passport at the refund facility and receive your refund in cash (Japanese yen).

Q. If I receive my refund by credit card or another cashless method, do I still need to go to a refund facility?: A. No. If you want your refund by credit card or another cashless method, you do not need to do anything at a refund facility. Follow the instructions from each tax-free shop.

Q. What are the operating hours of the refund facilities?: A. The facilities before departure procedures (Terminals 1 and 2) are open 6:00–24:00. The facilities after departure procedures (Terminals 1, 2, and 3) are open 24 hours*. *You can enter the area after departure procedures only during the operating hours of the security checkpoint.

Q. Can I process a refund for my family all at once?: A. No. In one procedure, you can receive a refund for the purchases registered to one passport, and each person must operate the machine themselves.

Q. Is the refund the full amount of the consumption tax I paid?: A. The amount is after refund fees and other deductions. In addition, for user safety and legal compliance, upper limits are set for each refund operator.

Q. What should I do if the customs kiosk is crowded?: A. You can also complete customs confirmation on Visit Japan Web. You do this while connected to the dedicated Wi-Fi. The dedicated Wi-Fi is available only in the area before departure procedures: the 4th floor of Terminal 1 (including the Airport Mall), the 3rd floor of Terminal 2, and the 2nd floor of Terminal 3. You need to register your passport information and other details in advance.

Q. Is there a deadline for tax-free procedures?: A. Yes. You must have customs confirm the export of your tax-free goods within 90 days of the purchase date.

Q. When does the new tax-free system start?: A. It starts with purchases made on or after November 1, 2026. You pay the price including consumption tax when you buy, and an amount equivalent to the consumption tax is refunded after customs confirmation when you leave Japan.

Japan's Tax-Free System From November 2026: Eligibility, Procedures, and FAQ

Japan's New Tax-Free System (Refund Method): Guide by Company and Airport

*Information as of November 4, 2026. We will add confirmed information after operations begin. For the latest information, please check the official websites of Narita International Airport Corporation and the Japan Tourism Agency.

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*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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