Vietnam Airlines wishes to announce the latest regulation regarding the tax-free shopping policy for passengers departing from airports in Japan, effective November 1, 2026.

Accordingly, the Japanese government will officially transition the tax-free shopping policy to a refund method. Passengers wishing to claim a tax refund must complete the procedures directly at the airport upon departure via self-service kiosks or the Visit Japan Web application.

As this change may require additional time for customs inspections and refund processing, Vietnam Airlines kindly advises passengers to arrive at the airport early to complete all necessary procedures and ensure timely arrival at the departure gate. Furthermore, since the Airline cannot retrieve checked baggage for customs inspections or tax refund purposes, please ensure all goods are inspected prior to checking your baggage, or proactively pack items requiring a tax refund in your carry-on luggage for the smoothest possible journey.

For more detailed information regarding the new regulations, please refer to the official guidelines from the Japanese authorities here .