Japan looks to stamp out duty-free scams with refunds on departure

New rules aimed at preventing resale of items within country

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Tourists at a duty-free counter at an electronics retailer in Tokyo. (Photo by Hana Slevin Ohama)

HANA SLEVIN OHAMA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- International tourists to Japan will soon have to wait until the day they depart to get reimbursed for consumption taxes paid on purchases in the country as the government battles growing abuse of waiver privileges.

Currently, the 10% consumption tax is waived for foreign travelers at duty-free retailers. With liquor, cosmetics and other consumables, up to 500,000 yen ($3,300) on items purchased at a single store is eligible for the waiver per day.

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