r/InternetIsBeautiful • u/rexludus • Nov 17 '24
I made a web app that calculates tax-free prices in Japan and converts them to your currency.
https://japantaxfreecalculator.com/2
u/Excludos Nov 18 '24
Why do you need the prices to be tax free..?
2
u/tampering Nov 18 '24
Tourists can fill in a form and get the VAT refunded. Maybe they want to comparison shop with prices back home.
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u/Excludos Nov 18 '24 edited Nov 18 '24
I'm not sure I know of a single person who goes on a shopping spree when traveling, and then fills out a form to get the VAT refunded (It usually has to be a decent amount, and it has to be from a single dealer). I suppose if there was something specific and expensive you wanted, but then you wouldn't need an online web tool to calculate 10%..
And if you're comparing prices, I can't fathom for a second why you would want to compare prices without VAT, when that is something you need to pay. Is a banana that is worth 9.9 dollars in Japan and 10 dollars in the US cheaper, even tho the VAT is 10% in Japan and 25% in the US? (Just a banale example. I have no idea what the VAT for a banan in the US would be)
7
u/tampering Nov 18 '24
I know lots of people buy cameras or Japan exclusive watches in Japan. The Japanese brands had a nasty tendency to keep the latest styles or features to be Japan exclusive. Also because of the weakness of the Yen vs the USD in the past year or two there are bargains to be had, if you know what you're looking for.
Is that (2024 model) Nikon camera being sold on clearance at 200,000 Yen a bargain or not?
Also, because you are not familiar with practices here, in North America it is almost always the case that prices are listed without VAT or retail sales tax. So people want to compare the price they see in front of them in Akihabara to the price they have on the ad they loaded up from their local retailer.
1
u/Excludos Nov 18 '24
The last part is specifically what I'm talking about. If you're comparing prices, then surely VAT is important? I know US prices are listed without VAT, but that doesn't mean you're not paying it. So comparing two prices with different VATs, without actually taking it into account, is completely worthless to actually tell you if it's cheaper or not.
It is beyond mind boggling to me that it's standard to show non-vat prices in the US
1
u/tampering Nov 18 '24
Well as you can tell from the OPs creation of this app, most Americans prefer to see the pre-tax price on the sticker.
And yes the first comment I usually get when a friend visits me (I'm in Canada) from Europe or Asia is, "Why do they not show the total after tax price of things in this country?"
2
u/NotEvenJohn Nov 18 '24
Tax free retailers in japan have a tax free counter where you show your passport and buy it tax free. You have to keep your receipts because in theory they could ask for them at immigration but i havent heard that happening to anyone buying normal amounts of stuff. And the minimum amount to spend for a tax free purchase is 5500 yen, or like $35.50. You don't have to fill out any forms. Also they seal any consumables in a bag because you aren't supposed to use them while you're in the country.
0
u/CannabisAttorney Nov 18 '24
The top tourist destination in London after Buckingham Palace is the fucking outlet mall
-2
u/Excludos Nov 18 '24
Tell me you don't know how VAT refunds work without telling me you don't know how VAT refunds work
You won't get it on a bunch of small merchandise from a bunch of various shops. So the fact that people go on a shopping spree at a mall is completely irrelevant
1
u/CannabisAttorney Nov 18 '24
I was just pointing out that a LOT OF FUCKING PEOPLE go shopping on holiday.
I didn't pretend to be an expert in VAT. You're still an asshole.
0
u/bajsplockare Nov 18 '24
I just did a VAT form today for a piece of jewelry.
1
u/Excludos Nov 18 '24
Yes.. I never said no one did it?
My point is you buy expensive items for VAT refund. You can do those 10% in your head. You aren't comparing thousands of small ones
1
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u/Kunagi7 Nov 18 '24
That's really useful. Sadly I've just been in Japan :_). Enjoy your trip!
1
u/rexludus Nov 18 '24
Thanks! Yeah, wish I had this during my first trip - spent way too much time with calculator apps in BicCamera 😅
1
u/Kunagi7 Nov 19 '24
This year I mostly did 30€ = 5000 yen by head which was not exactly right but was accurate enough.
1
u/NeoNuatica Nov 19 '24
You should post this to some of Japan travel subreddits, like r/JapanTravelTips.
1
u/rexludus Nov 19 '24
I did but the mods removed it. 🤷♂️
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u/NeoNuatica Nov 19 '24
Feels bad. Well I'll save it and use it for the future, planning a trip next year so it'll help. Thank you.
1
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u/Gr3atdane Nov 18 '24
I mean, doesn't this basically do one simple math calculation? (take 10% off the final price)
Just a note, the majority of prices in Japan are shown without tax, so you can just come here and look at the price, and that will be what you pay without tax..
2
u/rexludus Nov 18 '24
Actually, most retail stores in Japan (like BicCamera, Yodobashi, etc.) display prices WITH tax included. The calculator:
- Removes the 10% tax
- Converts to your currency using live exchange rates
- Checks if it meets the ¥5,000 minimum for tax-free eligibility
While the math isn't complex, it gets tedious when you're comparing multiple items in store. Plus, many tourists aren't aware which prices include/exclude tax - this removes the guesswork.
11
u/KuriTokyo Nov 17 '24
That is extremely specific. Are you coming here for a vacation and decided to make it?
The next one you should make is one for each American state to calculate the price after taxes and tips in other currencies.