Uniqlo Japan will offer tax free shopping for overseas visitors to Japan at 31 large stores across the country.

The service debited last week and allows overseas shoppers to avoid Japan’s eight per cent consumption tax.

Uniqlo previously offered tax free shopping to overseas tourists at outlets within Haneda and Chubu international airports. But following a Japanese Government revision of the consumption tax exemption system for inbound tourists last October, Uniqlo launched tax free shopping on a trial basis at the Uniqlo Ginza flagship store and Shinjuku East Exit Store in December – including dedicated tax free check out points and increased multilingual staff.

Uniqlo describes the response as “overwhelmingly positive” encouraging it to expand the service to 31 additional stores popular with tourists. More stores will follow.

Government data shows the number of inbound tourists into Japan reached a record high in 2014.

To use the service customers require a non-Japanese passport (a copy or other forms of ID are unacceptable). Foreign residents of Japan are ineligible. Customers must present the purchased items and receipt to be eligible.

A website has been set up describing the service in English.