Global Blue TFS Japan announced that it will install downtown refund counters and kiosks at 11 major stores operated by Yodobashi Camera.
Under Japan’s new tax-free shopping system, which will begin in November, travelers will pay tax-inclusive prices at stores and then receive refunds after obtaining customs approval upon departure from Japan.
The 11 locations are Multimedia Umeda, Multimedia Akiba, Multimedia Kyoto, Shinjuku West Exit Main Store, Multimedia Ueno, Multimedia Hakata, Multimedia Sapporo, Multimedia Sendai, Multimedia Nagoya, Multimedia Ikebukuro, and Multimedia Yokohama.
Users will be able to complete refund procedures for tax-free goods purchased at any Global Blue-affiliated store in Japan, regardless of where the items were bought. This will allow travelers to receive refunds in the city during their trip, before completing customs approval procedures at the airport. However, even travelers who receive refunds in advance in the city must complete the required approval procedures at customs at an airport or port when departing Japan.
According to Global Blue TFS Japan’s global data, around 50% of refund users choose cash refunds. Cash refunds are said to be popular because they can be received immediately, do not require users to wait for credit card refunds to be processed, and are less susceptible to exchange-rate fluctuations. The company also cites the ability to use refunded cash immediately for meals, transportation, sightseeing, and shopping during a trip as an advantage.
Global Blue TFS Japan says this is Japan’s first downtown refund service covering major inbound tourism cities nationwide, and that it will also help ease congestion at airports during departure procedures.
Global Blue TFS Japan was established in September 2013 as a joint venture between Global Blue and NTT DATA. Its services have been introduced in all 47 prefectures of Japan, while Global Blue partners with approximately 270,000 stores in major cities across 46 countries.
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This article was generated using automatic translation by GPT-4 API. The translation may not be accurate.
