Gold Allowance for Travellers to Japan (2026)
Japan sets no limit on gold, but every traveller must declare gold bullion and gold products on the customs declaration, whatever the amount. Gold counts towards the ¥200,000 duty-free allowance, but a single item worth more than ¥200,000 gets no allowance, so most gold bars pay 10% consumption tax on their full value (there is no customs duty on gold), and gold jewellery above the allowance is charged about 15%. Gold bullion of over 90% purity weighing more than 1 kg must also go on the means-of-payment declaration on arrival and departure, as must cash and securities over ¥1 million.
Reviewed October 2026 from official sources (listed below). Rules change — check with customs before you travel.
Estimate
Estimate only: customs taxes the value it sets on the goods, and a single item worth more than ¥200,000 is taxed in full. An estimate, not a customs assessment.
Duty-Free Gold Allowance in Japan
| Traveller | Duty-free allowance | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Each traveller aged 6 or over | ¥200,000 of goods bought abroad | Overseas market value. A single item or set worth more than ¥200,000 gets no allowance and is taxed in full. Items under ¥10,000 are free and not counted. |
| Children under 6 | No allowance | Except items clearly for children, such as toys. |
| Gold bars, coins and other gold products | Declare all, whatever the weight or value | 10% consumption tax on the taxable value; no customs duty. Over 1 kg at 90%+ purity: also file the means-of-payment declaration. |
| Gold jewellery bought abroad | Within the ¥200,000 allowance | Above it, 15% simplified rate on items with a customs value up to ¥100,000; dearer pieces pay 5.4% duty (often 0% under trade agreements) plus 10% consumption tax. |
| Gold not for personal baggage | General import procedure | Quantities beyond a traveller's baggage are imported as cargo. |
Consumption tax and duty on gold
Each traveller gets a duty-free allowance of ¥200,000 (overseas market value) for goods bought abroad, gold included. Items under ¥10,000 are free and not counted. A single item or set worth more than ¥200,000 gets no allowance and is taxed in full, which catches most gold bars. Children under 6 get no allowance except for children's items.
Gold bullion pays no customs duty but 10% consumption tax. Gold jewellery above the allowance pays the 15% simplified rate, which combines duty and consumption tax, if its customs value is ¥100,000 or less. Dearer pieces pay the normal rates: 5.4% duty on gold jewellery (0% from many trade-agreement partners such as the EU, UK, Singapore and Thailand, and 3.4% from China and Korea under RCEP) plus 10% consumption tax.
Declaring gold in Japan
All travellers must submit a customs declaration, through Visit Japan Web or on the paper form. Tick "Yes" for gold bullion or gold products regardless of quantity, weight, value or whether they are new, and use the red channel. Separately, gold bullion of over 90% purity weighing more than 1 kg, and cash, cheques and securities worth more than ¥1 million, must be declared on the Declaration of Carrying of Means of Payment, at the airport or online through NACCS.
Gold smuggling breaks the Customs Act and the Consumption Tax Act. Customs says the Customs Act penalty is up to five years in prison and a fine of up to five times the value of the gold, or both. Fines are now based on the current market price, and customs can confiscate gold imported without a licence.
Taking gold out of Japan
Japan sets no limit on gold you take out, but gold bullion of over 90% purity weighing more than 1 kg, and cash over ¥1 million, must be declared on the means-of-payment form when you leave. Gold beyond a traveller's baggage needs an export declaration.
For purchases from 1 November 2026, Japan's tax-free shopping becomes a refund system: visitors pay the 10% consumption tax in the shop and get it back after customs confirms the goods are leaving, within 90 days of purchase and before boarding, at an airport or seaport kiosk or through Visit Japan Web. The minimum is ¥5,000 (before tax) per shop per day. Jewellery qualifies; gold and platinum bullion do not. The goods must be with you, not in checked luggage.
Hong Kong, Korea and Dubai to Japan
Most gold seized in Japan comes from Asia, and in 2024 Hong Kong was the origin of about 60% of cases. Buying gold in Hong Kong, Singapore or Dubai without tax does not make it tax-free in Japan: declare it on arrival and pay the 10% consumption tax. South Korea, China and the US have their own rules for gold you take onwards from Japan. Keep invoices showing weight, purity and price.
Recent changes and the smuggling crackdown
Gold smuggling cases rose to 493 in 2024 (about 1,218 kg seized), and customs ordered stricter border checks in November 2024 and again in November 2025. Cases fell to 192 in 2025, with about 425 kg seized. Narita Airport recorded 33 cases (46 kg), most of them powdered gold, in January to March 2026. In January 2026 Tokyo Customs found about 242 kg of gold hidden in a life-size doll. The Ministry of Finance's October 2026 proposals for the FY2027 tax reform would give customs clearer powers to investigate gold exports. The tax-free refund system starts on 1 November 2026.
Gold price in Japan today
Live rates →| 24K (999) | ¥19,611 / gram | ¥196,105 / 10 g |
|---|---|---|
| 22K (916) | ¥17,981 / gram | ¥179,812 / 10 g |
| 18K (750) | ¥14,723 / gram | ¥147,226 / 10 g |
Bringing Gold to Japan: FAQ
How much is 10 grams of 22K gold worth in Japan today?
About ¥179,812 at the international price converted to JPY (Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC). Customs use their own notified or assessed value, and shops charge more, so treat this as an estimate.
How much gold can I bring into Japan without paying tax?
Gold counts towards the ¥200,000 allowance, but any single item worth more than ¥200,000 gets no allowance and is taxed in full. In practice most gold bars pay 10% consumption tax on their whole value.
Do I have to declare gold in Japan?
Yes. Every traveller must declare gold bullion and gold products, whatever the amount or value. Gold of over 90% purity weighing more than 1 kg also goes on the means-of-payment declaration.
What is the tax on gold bars brought into Japan?
10% consumption tax and no customs duty. Not declaring is smuggling, with penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to five times the gold's value.
Is there duty on gold jewellery in Japan?
Above the allowance, items with a customs value up to ¥100,000 pay a 15% simplified rate. Dearer pieces pay 5.4% duty, or 0% from many trade-agreement partners, plus 10% consumption tax.
Can tourists get tax back on gold in Japan?
On jewellery, yes: from 1 November 2026 visitors pay the 10% tax and get it refunded after customs confirms export, for purchases of at least ¥5,000 per shop per day. Gold and platinum bullion are excluded.
How much gold can I bring from Hong Kong to Japan?
There is no limit, but you must declare it. A bar or piece worth more than ¥200,000 is taxed in full, at 10% consumption tax for bullion.
Gold Travel Allowance in Other Countries
Sources: Japan Customs: passenger allowances and gold declaration · Japan Customs: Declaration of Carrying of Means of Payment (gold over 1 kg) · Japan Customs: simplified duty rates for personal effects · Japan Customs: enhancement of controls on gold smuggling (2024) · Ministry of Finance: customs council material on gold smuggling (Oct 2026) · Japan Tourism Agency: tax-free refund method from 1 November 2026 · Japan Tariff Association: duty on gold jewellery, HS 7113.19. Information, not legal advice: customs officers decide on the spot, and rules change. See also: gold price in Japan · gold price by weight.