Duty-free Shopping Tips

What are duty-free goods? Why are they so cheap?
Here are some basic pointers about duty-free shopping that will clear up your uncertainties and make shopping much more enjoyable.

I often hear the phrase "duty-free goods," but what are they, really?: Duty-free goods are products that you buy at the price they are when they are imported into the country, before duties or consumption tax are added. A lot of the goods sold in duty-free shops are sold in the state they would be before being imported into Japan, so no duties have been applied to them yet. Since you will take them back out of the country again after you buy them, you can buy them at their duty-free price.
Why are duty-free goods cheap?: Reasons why duty-free goods are cheap. They are cheap because they are not subject to duties, alcohol tax or other levies when they are imported, and on top of that, they don't carry consumption tax. Locations such as the areas you reach after you pass through passport control at the airport, on board flights on international routes, and on board ships sailing in international waters, and other locations where duty-free goods are sold are all treated has being "outside the country." When goods enter the country, they are deemed to be "imported" and are subject to taxation; however when the goods are in these kinds of places (i.e., places "outside the country") then, technically speaking, they haven't been imported and can therefore be sold in duty-free shops at prices that don't include any taxes. Since these goods are not "within Japan" they aren't subject to Japanese consumption tax, either.
Normally, when goods like alcohol, tobacco and perfume are imported, they are subject to quite a lot of taxes. This is why you can buy them duty-free at much lower prices than you can buy them anywhere else in Japan.
What is the difference between "Duty Free" and "Tax Free"?: Generally, "duty free" means that duty has not been levied on the item. On the other hand, "tax free" means that consumption tax and other value-added taxes have not been added.
Do duty-free goods stay duty-free?: The scope of duty-free categories will differ, from one country to the next. Even if you have bought something duty-free, please be aware that you may be charged for local duties if it falls outside the duty-free categories in the country you are taking it to. Moreover, when bringing items into Japan on your return, please be aware that Japanese duty categories will apply. You can learn more about overseas duty-free categories by reading the travel schedules given to you by your travel agency, or reading other pamphlets or guide books, or by visiting the homepages of the embassies of various countries.
To find out more about Japanese duty categories that will apply when you return, please check with Narita Branch Customs.
Who can buy duty-free goods?: Anyone can buy duty-free goods, if they are about to leave the country and travel overseas.
We invite passengers departing from Narita Airport to drop in to shop at Fa-So-La duty-free stores after they go through passport control.
Can you only buy duty-free goods at duty-free shops?: You can't buy duty-free unless you shop at a duty-free store.
Please do your shopping in the duty-free stores in the area after passport control.
Where can I do duty-free shopping at Narita Airport?: You can buy duty-free goods in the areas after you pass through passport control. The duty-free areas at Narita Airport are divided up among Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Fa-So-La duty-free shops are in all three terminals, for your shopping convenience.
What kinds of items are popular at duty-free shops?: Discounted goods that you can only buy at duty-free shops, famous confectionery from all over Japan that you normally hardly ever see are all examples of popular items.
If you want to learn more about popular duty-free goods, please go here.
What kinds of duty-free shops are there at Fa-So-La?: What really sets Fa-So-La apart is that we operate specialized duty-free shops that focus on categories and offer a wide selection of products in that category.
In addition to our specialty cosmetic/perfume or alcohol/tobacco stores, we have shops that focus on offering Japanese souvenirs that include food products and electrical appliances. We also have fashion shops and brand boutiques.
What are the business hours of your stores?: Business hours vary, depending on the store.
Please check the Shop Search menu on the top page of the Fa-So-La website for the business hours of each of our stores.
After I buy something duty-free, can I courier it back home?: Since duty-free goods are duty-free because you will take them out of the country after you buy them, you can't send them straight home.
Please understand this important point.
Can you take the goods you have bought at a duty-free shop back and exchange them?: In principle, the customer cannot exchange any duty-free goods bought at a Fa-So-La shop.
If you are not happy with the item you have bought, please contact Fa-So-La Customer Service (+81(476)33-1917).
Please tell me how I can get the best prices when I duty-free shopping!: By pre-ordering your duty-free shopping, you can get a further 5% OFF the listed duty-free price, so we recommend that you take advantage of our pre-ordering site.* Some brands are excluded from the 5% discount offer.
Pre-ordering has the advantage of not only obtaining a discount, it saves time looking for items and allows the customer to obtain the item they want without wasting the limited time before boarding. Go here to see the pre-ordering site.