Japan's electronics stores crack down on duty-free resales

Bic Camera's system records passport numbers to identify bulk purchasing

20240430N Bic Camera

Customers visit a Bic Camera store in Tokyo's Yurakucho district. (Photo by Makoto Okada)

KENTO HIRASHIMA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Consumer electronics chains across Japan are working to thwart inbound tourists who abuse their tax-free status by making bulk purchases of high-value items to sell them later at markup.

Bic Camera is rolling out an automated system that records the passport numbers of customers who make tax-free purchases and shares the information with roughly 200 locations groupwide, including outlets of affiliate electronics chains Kojima and Sofmap.

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