How to Import a Kei Truck from Japan: A Step-by-Step Guide

Importing a kei truck directly from Japan can save you money compared to buying from a US dealer, and it gives you access to the full range of models, trims, and conditions available at Japanese auctions. However, the process involves multiple government agencies, strict compliance requirements, and logistical coordination. This guide walks through every step.

Step 1: Understand the 25-Year Import Rule

The foundation of the entire kei truck import market is the US federal 25-year exemption. Under 49 USC 30112(b)(9), motor vehicles that are at least 25 years old are exempt from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). This means they do not need to meet modern US crash, lighting, or emissions standards.

The math is simple: Take the current year, subtract 25, and any vehicle manufactured in or before that year is eligible. As of 2025, vehicles from 2000 and earlier qualify. This threshold moves forward by one year annually.

Important: The 25-year rule applies to the date of manufacture, not the model year. Verify the actual production date on the vehicle's Japanese registration documents.

The EPA also provides an exemption for vehicles over 21 years old (40 CFR 85.1511(b)(4)), so any vehicle old enough for the NHTSA exemption also clears EPA requirements.

Step 2: Research and Choose Your Vehicle

Before engaging with an exporter or auction service, know what you want:

• Model: Suzuki Carry, Honda Acty, Daihatsu Hijet, Subaru Sambar, or Mitsubishi Minicab. Research the strengths and weaknesses of each.
• Drivetrain: 4WD with low range is highly recommended for property and farm use. 2WD trucks are cheaper but less capable.
• Transmission: 5-speed manual is the most common and preferred. Automatics are available but sap power from the small engines.
• Condition priorities: Low mileage, rust-free frame, and documented maintenance history are the key factors. Japanese auction sheets provide detailed condition assessments if you can read them (or have them translated).

Step 3: Find a Vehicle at Auction

Japanese auto auctions are the primary source for kei trucks. The major auction houses include USS (Used car System Solutions), TAA (Toyota Auto Auction), CAA (Central Auto Auction), and HAA (Honda Auto Auction).

You cannot bid directly at Japanese auctions as a foreign individual. You need to work with either:

1. A full-service import company that handles everything from auction bidding to US delivery. Companies like Duncan Imports, Japanese Classics, Kei Truck USA, and JDM Expo provide this end-to-end service. You pay a premium for the convenience, but they handle all logistics, paperwork, and compliance.

2. An auction agent/exporter that bids on your behalf and ships the vehicle, with you handling US-side customs clearance and registration. Services like Japan Partner, STC Japan, and BE FORWARD fall into this category. This saves money but requires more work on your end.

When evaluating a vehicle at auction, key documents include:

• Auction sheet: A standardized condition report filled out by auction inspectors. It grades the vehicle's interior, exterior, engine, and undercarriage on a scale (typically 1-5 or S-R), and notes specific defects.
• Export certificate: Required for the vehicle to leave Japan.
• De-registration certificate: Proves the vehicle has been legally removed from Japan's registration system.

Step 4: Shipping from Japan

Most kei trucks are shipped via RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) or container shipping from major Japanese ports (Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, or Kobe) to US ports (Long Beach, Tacoma, Savannah, Jacksonville, Houston, or Newark).

RoRo shipping is cheaper ($800-$1,500) but the vehicle is driven onto a ship and exposed to salt air during transit. Insurance coverage is limited.

Container shipping is more expensive ($1,500-$3,000) but the vehicle is enclosed and protected. You can also share a container with other vehicles to split costs, or fill the container with parts and accessories.

Transit time from Japan to the US West Coast is typically 2-3 weeks. East Coast ports add another 1-2 weeks.

Step 5: US Customs Clearance

When the vehicle arrives at the US port, it must clear customs. This involves:

CBP (Customs and Border Protection) entry: You or your customs broker files an entry with CBP declaring the vehicle. Required documents include:

• Bill of Lading (from the shipping company)
• Commercial invoice (purchase price documentation)
• Japanese Export Certificate
• EPA Form 3520-1 (declaring the vehicle is exempt under the 21-year rule)
• DOT/NHTSA Form HS-7 (declaring the vehicle is exempt under the 25-year rule, Box 4)

Customs duty: The import duty on vehicles from Japan is 2.5% of the declared value. This is calculated on the purchase price plus shipping costs.

Customs broker: You can file the customs entry yourself, but most importers use a licensed customs broker ($150-$300 fee). The broker handles the paperwork, communicates with CBP, and ensures compliance. This is money well spent to avoid delays and errors.

Port fees and handling: Budget $200-$500 for port handling, storage, and release fees.

Step 6: EPA and DOT Compliance

For vehicles qualifying under the 25-year (NHTSA) and 21-year (EPA) exemptions, compliance is straightforward:

• EPA Form 3520-1: Filed at the time of customs entry. Check the box indicating the vehicle is exempt because it is over 21 years old. No testing, no modifications, no further EPA interaction required.
• DOT/NHTSA Form HS-7: Also filed at customs entry. Check Box 4, which declares the vehicle is at least 25 years old and exempt from FMVSS. No crash testing, no modification for US standards, no further NHTSA interaction required.

Critically important: If the vehicle is NOT 25 years old, it must either comply with all FMVSS (essentially impossible for a kei truck) or be imported under a show-or-display exemption (which does not apply to kei trucks). Do not attempt to import a vehicle that does not meet the 25-year threshold unless you have specific legal guidance.

Step 7: Transport from Port to Home

Once the vehicle clears customs and is released from the port, you need to get it home. Options include:

• Drive it: If you can get temporary transit plates in the port state, you can drive the kei truck home. This is only practical for shorter distances.
• Flatbed transport: Hire an auto transport service to flatbed the truck to your location. Cost varies by distance ($500-$1,500 for cross-country).
• Enclosed transport: For additional protection during transport, though usually unnecessary for a utility vehicle.

Step 8: State Title and Registration

This is where the process varies most significantly based on your state of residence.

Kei-truck-friendly states (Alabama, Montana, New Hampshire, Maine, and many others) will title and register a 25-year-exempt vehicle with minimal hassle. You typically need:

• The Japanese Export Certificate or de-registration certificate
• CBP entry documentation proving legal import
• A bill of sale
• A VIN verification (some states require this for foreign vehicles)
• Standard title application and registration fees

Restrictive states may limit kei trucks to off-road use only, require additional inspections, or decline to register them entirely. Check our state-by-state legality guide before importing.

Pro tip: Some buyers use Montana LLC registration to title their kei truck, particularly if their home state is restrictive. This is a legal gray area that varies by situation. Consult with a legal professional if considering this route.

Total Cost Breakdown

Here is a realistic cost estimate for a self-managed import of a 1990s Suzuki Carry 4WD:

Item	Cost
Vehicle purchase (auction)	$3,000 - $6,000
Auction fees and agent commission	$500 - $1,000
Japan inland transport to port	$200 - $400
Ocean shipping (RoRo)	$800 - $1,500
Marine insurance	$100 - $300
Customs duty (2.5%)	$100 - $200
Customs broker fee	$150 - $300
Port fees and handling	$200 - $500
US domestic transport	$300 - $1,500
Title and registration	$100 - $500
Total	$5,450 - $12,200

Compare this to buying the same truck from a US dealer at $7,000-$12,000, and the savings on a self-managed import are typically $1,000-$3,000. Whether the time and effort are worth the savings depends on your comfort level with the process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Importing a vehicle that is not 25 years old. CBP will seize or force re-export of non-compliant vehicles.
• Skipping the auction sheet translation. Auction sheets contain critical condition information. Pay the small fee for a professional translation.
• Ignoring rust. A cheap truck with frame rust is not a bargain. Always request undercarriage photos before bidding.
• Forgetting EPA and DOT forms. Missing these forms at customs entry causes delays and storage fees at the port.
• Not researching state laws. Importing a truck you cannot legally register in your state is an expensive mistake.

The import process is straightforward once you understand the steps, and the reward is getting exactly the truck you want at a price that is hard to beat on the domestic market. If you prefer to skip the import process and buy domestically, our dealer directory lists verified kei truck dealers across the US. For a detailed breakdown of the 25-year exemption and which models are currently eligible, see our 25-year import rule explainer. Once your truck arrives, use our pre-purchase inspection checklist to verify condition before finalizing.