Taiwan Shopping Coupons and Tax Refund Guide 2026: How to Claim Back the 5% Sales Tax

Taiwan doesn’t have store coupons like Japan; focus is on tax refunds

When shopping in Taiwan, don’t expect the culture of electronic tourist coupons given out at each store like in Japan. Taiwan doesn’t have this practice, but tax refunds for foreign travellers are a real way to save money. Besides tax refunds, places like Eslite and Shin Kong Mitsukoshi offer exclusive tourist discount cards. However, remember to check the latest terms before departure, as offers and amounts may change.

Basic tax refund rules: how to get back the 5% sales tax

Taiwan’s sales tax rate is 5%, but foreign travellers can get this money back through tax refunds. Note that you need to spend at least NT$2,000 in a single designated store on the same day to qualify for a tax refund. When shopping, look for the «TAX REFUND» sticker on the shop and clearly tell the staff you want a tax refund, and keep your receipt. Goods must be taken out of Taiwan within 90 days of purchase.

• The threshold is calculated as «same day, same store»; purchases on different days or in different stores don’t count, even if the total meets the requirement.
• Look for the «TAX REFUND» designated store sign; not every shop offers tax refunds.

What ID do Hong Kong travellers need?

Hong Kong travellers can use either a Re-entry Permit or a Passport to apply for tax refunds, but those with a Temporary Stay Permit cannot use the on-the-spot small-amount refund or designated city refund. When applying for a refund, the name on the ID and receipt must match, so remember to show your ID when making purchases.

• Those with a Temporary Stay Permit cannot use the on-the-spot small-amount refund or designated city refund and can only process at the airport.
• The name on the ID and receipt must match, so remember to show your ID when making purchases, rather than waiting until you leave.

On-the-spot small-amount refund: the most convenient option at the store

Refunding at designated stores is the most convenient method, but there are amount limits. The maximum refund amount for the same store on the same day is NT$48,000, the cumulative limit for the same trip is NT$120,000, and the annual cumulative limit is NT$240,000. The service fee is 20%, meaning you receive 80% of the tax amount. If you exceed the limit, you must use the city refund or airport refund options.

• The service fee is 20%, so you only receive 80% of the tax amount, but the advantage is that you avoid queuing at the airport.
• The three limits are NT$48,000 per store per day, NT$120,000 per trip, and NT$240,000 per year.

Designated city tax refund: Get your refund while shopping

At designated city tax refund points, you can get your refund immediately but must provide credit card guarantee for 7% of the tax. You must depart within 20 days after application, and the tax refund will be verified at the airport upon departure. If you don't depart on time or fail to verify, the tax will be charged back to your credit card.

• A credit card guarantee for 7% of the tax is required, and failure to depart on time or verify will result in the tax being charged back to your credit card.
• You only have 20 days to depart after application, so this method isn't suitable for longer trips.

Airport and Port Tax Refund: The Most Commonly Used Method

On the day of departure, handle tax refund at the tax refund counter at the airport or port. Remember to do this before checking in your luggage, as customs may need to inspect the goods. Bring your passport or entry/exit permit, tax refund application form, receipts, and goods. Goods must be taken out of the country within 90 days of purchase.

• Be sure to handle this before checking in your luggage, as customs may need to inspect the goods.
• During peak season, there may be queues at the counter; allow extra time for large purchases.

Eslite Life: Traveller Discounts Across Adulthood

Shop at Eslite Life, show your passport to redeem a Taiwan Icon sticker, and enjoy traveller discounts at over 100 brands. Pay with Visa or Mastercard to get 5% to 10% off. This offer is valid from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026. Actual participating brands and discounts are subject to the official website.

• Actual participating brands and discounts are subject to the official website and may vary by store.
• These are brand-specific traveller benefits and are separate from tax refunds; they can be calculated independently.

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi: Get a Tourist VIP Card at the Service Desk

At Shin Kong Mitsukoshi store service desks, show your passport or entry/exit permit to receive a Tourist VIP Card. This card entitles you to specified in-store discounts. This is a permanent service with no end date announced on the official website. Discount details vary by store, so remember to check when collecting your card.

• Discount details vary by store, so clarify which counters the card can be used at when collecting it.
• The official page hasn't announced an end date, but the campaign content may change anytime.

Taiwan Gold Luck: official lottery, starts in October

Taiwan Gold Luck is an official event by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, running from 10 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Travellers can win up to NT$5,000, and accompanying travellers up to NT$3,000. You must have entered Taiwan after 1 January 2023, hold a non-Republic of China passport, and stay for 3 to 90 days. Trips before October won't qualify, so take note if visiting in winter.

• Trips before 10 October 2026 won't qualify.
• You must have entered Taiwan after 1 January 2023, hold a non-Republic of China passport, and stay for 3 to 90 days.

Retailers without traveller discounts: don't waste your trip on these

Breeze Centre's official website has no exclusive traveller offers, only local membership and credit card discounts. Cosmed, PUJI, Watsons, Carrefour, PX Mart, Taipei 101 also lack exclusive traveller coupons. Don Quijote Taiwan doesn't have Japan's tax-free plus discount coupons, don't confuse the two. SOGO's official website was inaccessible during our verification, so we couldn't include its terms. These stores still offer tax refunds, just without extra traveller discounts.

• These stores still offer tax refunds, just without extra traveller discounts.
• Don Quijote Taiwan doesn't have Japan's tax-free plus discount coupons, don't confuse the two.

Get your internet sorted before shopping

Checking designated stores, comparing prices, and viewing campaign terms require on-the-spot internet. Before travelling to Taiwan, set up a Taiwan internet card, eSIM activated instantly after payment, QR Code sent via email; physical SIM cards mailed from Hong Kong. All plans and real-time prices are available on the Taiwan destination page.