Shop at ANTE Ginza
Present your passport. Eligible in-store tax-free purchases receive ANTE's 2% adjustment to the tax-inclusive price. Keep your receipt and proof of purchase safe.
ANTE TOKYO · GINZA · TAX-FREE GUIDE 2026
New Tax-Free Rules.
Same Great Value.
Japan's tax-free shopping system changes on November 1, 2026.
But don't worry. At ANTE TOKYO, you can still enjoy virtually the same effective tax-free price as before.
Under the new system, a processing fee applies to your tax refund. To help cover this cost, ANTE offers a 2% discount on the tax-inclusive price for eligible in-store tax-free purchases.
Once departure customs verification and your refund are completed, your final effective cost remains virtually the same as before.
How it works ↓ANTE TOKYO
VINTAGE WATCHES · GINZA
WHAT CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 2026?
The Process Changes. Your Final Price Stays Almost the Same.
At ANTE, your final effective tax-free price remains virtually the same when the required refund is completed.
| Before Nov 1 | From Nov 1, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| At checkout | Generally pay without Japanese consumption tax | Pay a tax-inclusive amount after ANTE's 2% adjustment |
| At departure | Customs verification where required | Complete customs export verification within 90 days of purchase |
| Tax benefit | Tax exemption generally applied at checkout | Apply online after departure; refund to your credit card |
| Final effective price | Previous tax-free price | Virtually unchanged |
Only the payment and refund process changes. Your final effective cost at ANTE remains virtually the same. This applies after a successful customs check and tax refund. Allow extra time at the airport.
EFFECTIVE TAX-FREE PRICE
A new process. Virtually the same final cost.
BEFORE NOV 1
¥500,000
Previous tax-free price
≈
FROM NOV 1
≈ ¥500,000*
Estimated after-refund price
How does the final price stay virtually the same?
Regular price (tax included)
¥550,000
ANTE price adjustment (2%)
−¥11,000
Payment at checkout
¥539,000
Refund after customs (estimate)
−¥39,298
Effective cost after refund (estimate)
¥499,702
Illustration assumes a 1.98% processing fee calculated on the tax-exclusive amount after adjustment. Actual refunds depend on the provider's rules and rounding; figures must be confirmed before publication.
* Illustration for a watch priced at ¥550,000 including tax. Actual figures depend on fee calculations, rounding and eligibility. The tax-inclusive amount after adjustment is paid at checkout.
WHY THE PRICE STAYS ALMOST THE SAME
Why Is the Final Tax-Free Price Almost the Same as Before?
Under the new system, a processing fee is deducted from the tax refund. ANTE helps offset that fee with a 2% discount on the tax-inclusive price of eligible in-store tax-free purchases.
AT CHECKOUT
2%
ANTE PRICE ADJUSTMENT
2% off the tax-inclusive selling price.
AFTER CUSTOMS VERIFICATION
Approx. 8%
TAX REFUND
An estimated 8% of the adjusted tax-exclusive price is refunded after the processing fee.
Virtually the same final tax-free price as before November 2026.
Shop with confidence. You pay more upfront, but after successful customs verification and the refund, your effective cost is almost unchanged.
*The 2% adjustment is based on the original tax-inclusive price; the approximately 8% refund is estimated against the adjusted tax-exclusive price. These percentages use different bases and should not be added as a literal 10% refund. The actual amount varies with processing fees, rounding, and eligibility. This is not a general sale.
HOW IT WORKS
Your tax refund in four simple steps.
Pay the adjusted tax-inclusive amount at checkout, take your watch out of Japan, and apply through the Traveler Portal after customs verification.
Complete customs verification
Depart Japan within 90 days of purchase and take the watch abroad. Complete the required customs verification. Customs may ask to inspect your watch. If it will go in checked baggage, check customs instructions before checking it in.
Apply online from the next day
Starting the day after departure and customs verification, apply on the Traveler Portal. Scan the QR code on your leaflet or receipt, then register the credit card for your refund. ANTE offers credit-card refunds only.
Receive your refund
After your application and the required procedures are completed, the refund, minus the applicable processing fee, will be credited to your registered credit card. The time it takes to appear varies by card issuer and processing status.
* Customs verification and taking the purchased watch out of Japan are required. Check your leaflet and the Traveler Portal for the applicable application deadline and instructions.
TRAVELER REFUND PORTAL
Lost the QR code? Apply here.
Apply via the Traveler Portal starting the day after departure and customs verification. If you cannot find the QR code on your receipt or leaflet, use the link below. Refunds are made to credit cards only.
OPEN REFUND APPLICATION ↗FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions about tax-free vintage watch shopping
Select a question to read the answer.
Will vintage watches become more expensive to buy tax-free after November 1, 2026?
No need to worry. ANTE TOKYO applies a 2% adjustment to the tax-inclusive price of eligible in-store tax-free purchases to help offset the new refund processing fee. Once the required customs verification and refund are completed, your final effective tax-free price remains virtually the same as before. You pay the tax-inclusive amount after ANTE's adjustment at checkout.
Will buying a watch after November 1 be cheaper than before?
No. The final effective price will be almost the same. ANTE's 2% price adjustment is not a general price reduction or promotional sale. It is intended to offset the processing fee under Japan's new tax refund system, so your effective purchase cost remains virtually unchanged before and after the transition, provided the refund is completed.
Will ANTE continue offering the 2% price adjustment?
We plan to continue the 2% price adjustment for the foreseeable future. If we decide to change or discontinue this service, we will announce it in advance on our website, so you can shop with confidence.
Must I take the purchased watch out of Japan?
Yes. To qualify for the refund, you must leave Japan within 90 days of purchase, take the purchased watch out of Japan, and complete the required customs verification.
Do I need to keep my receipt and proof of purchase?
Yes. Both may be required for customs verification or the tax refund process. Please keep your receipt and proof of purchase safe. Neither document can be reissued by ANTE TOKYO. Keep them until you have left Japan and your refund has been completed.
Are there extra requirements for watches priced at ¥1 million or more before tax?
For watches with a tax-exclusive unit price of ¥1 million or more, detailed product identification information is required. ANTE records the necessary information at purchase, including the brand, model, reference number and serial number (if present).
When leaving Japan, please have your watch and the proof of purchase issued by ANTE ready. Customs may ask to inspect your watch or proof of purchase. Your proof of purchase contains product details that may help with customs verification.
When should I complete customs verification at the airport?
Complete the required verification when leaving Japan. If the watch will be in checked luggage, check customs instructions before handing over your luggage. Procedures may vary by airport.
When and how can I apply for my tax refund?
Apply through the Traveler Portal starting the day after departure and customs verification. Scan the QR code on your leaflet or receipt, or use the application link on this page if you cannot find it. Register the credit card on which you want to receive your refund.
How and when will I receive my refund?
ANTE offers credit-card refunds only. Once customs verification and your Traveler Portal application are completed, the refund, minus the applicable processing fee, is credited to your registered card. Timing varies by card issuer and processing status. Cash and bank-transfer refunds are unavailable.
Can I buy vintage Cartier watches tax-free in Tokyo?
Yes. Eligible international visitors can purchase vintage Cartier and other vintage luxury watches at ANTE TOKYO in Ginza, Tokyo, and qualify for a refund by meeting the applicable requirements.
Do international online orders require the same tax refund process?
No, they don't. When you order from ANTE TOKYO's online store for direct delivery outside Japan, eligible orders continue to be sold at prices excluding Japanese consumption tax. You pay this price at checkout. No Japanese departure customs verification or post-purchase tax refund procedure is required.
Import duties and local taxes may apply in the destination country.
VINTAGE WATCHES IN JAPAN
Discover Vintage Watches in Ginza, Tokyo
ANTE TOKYO is a vintage watch boutique located in the heart of Ginza, Tokyo. We specialize in vintage Cartier watches, with a carefully selected collection featuring the Tank, Panthère, Santos, Baignoire and other models.
International visitors are welcome to explore our watches, try them on in person and find a special timepiece. Our staff can also guide eligible shoppers through Japan's new tax refund process.
Shop with confidence and enjoy virtually the same effective tax-free prices as before, once the required customs verification and refund are completed.
VISIT ANTE TOKYO · GINZA
Store Details & Directions
Visit Our Ginza Store
Approx. 2 minutes from Ginza Station Exit A1 · EXITMELSA B1F.
Open 11:00–20:00 (last admission 19:15)
07 / OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Official Tax-Free Shopping Guides
For details of Japan's tax-free shopping rules and customs procedures, please see the official government guides below. ANTE's 2% checkout adjustment is a store service, not a government discount.