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When Can I Import My Kei Truck?

The NHTSA 25-year rule determines when a Japanese kei truck can legally enter the US. Select a production year to see the exact eligibility date and a live countdown.

Under the 25-year rule, vehicles become import eligible on January 1 of the year they turn 25.

Eligible Now

2001 kei trucks have been import eligible since January 1, 2026. You can legally import one today.

Calculate Import CostView 2026 Eligible Models

2001 Models You Can Import

Suzuki Carry

10th Gen (DA52T/DA62T/DA63T)

Engine

660cc K6A DOHC 3-cylinder

Power

46-50 hp (NA), 64 hp (turbo)

Drivetrain

Part-time 4WD with low range

Est. Price

$8,000-$15,000

Honda Acty

4th Gen (HA6/HA7)

Engine

656cc E07Z SOHC 3-cylinder

Power

40-48 hp

Drivetrain

Real-time 4WD

Est. Price

$8,000-$14,000

Daihatsu Hijet

10th Gen (S200/S210)

Engine

658cc KF-VE DOHC 3-cylinder

Power

48-53 hp (NA), 64 hp (turbo)

Drivetrain

Part-time 4WD with low range

Est. Price

$8,000-$15,000

Subaru Sambar

6th Gen (TT1/TT2)

Engine

658cc EN07 inline-4 cylinder

Power

46-48 hp (NA), 58 hp (supercharged)

Drivetrain

Part-time 4WD

Est. Price

$7,000-$14,000

Mitsubishi Minicab

6th Gen (U61T/U62T)

Engine

657cc 3G83 SOHC 3-cylinder

Power

38-50 hp (NA), 64 hp (turbo)

Drivetrain

Part-time 4WD with low range

Est. Price

$7,000-$14,000

Mazda Scrum

3rd Gen (DG52T/DG62T/DG63T)

Rebadge
Engine

660cc K6A DOHC 3-cylinder

Power

46-50 hp (NA), 64 hp (turbo)

Drivetrain

Part-time 4WD with low range

Est. Price

$6,000-$12,000

Understanding the 25-Year Import Rule

Every kei truck you see on American roads got here because of one federal regulation: the 25-year rule. Vehicles older than 25 years are exempt from both EPA emissions standards and NHTSA safety standards. Without this exemption, importing a 660cc kei truck would require crash testing and emissions modifications costing more than the truck itself.

What Becomes Eligible Each Year

As the calendar advances, new production years unlock. In 2026, trucks from 2001 became eligible. That includes popular models like the Suzuki Carry, Honda Acty, and Daihatsu Hijet. Check our full eligibility timeline to see every year from 2020 through 2030.

Planning Your Import

Once your target truck is eligible, use our import cost calculator to estimate total landed cost including shipping, customs, and state fees. Then check your state's kei truck laws to confirm you can register it for road use. Browse our dealer directory for importers who handle the entire process, or read the self-import guide if you want to do it yourself.

Why Prices Spike at Eligibility

When a new production year becomes eligible, demand surges in Japanese auctions. Sites like Goo-net Exchange show price jumps of 20 to 40% in the months around January 1. Hagerty tracks market values if you need insurance or valuation benchmarks. The smartest move is to buy 6 to 12 months after eligibility when prices settle, or lock in a deal before the rush if you know exactly what you want. Read our pre-purchase checklist before committing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Under NHTSA regulations, vehicles manufactured 25 or more years ago are exempt from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and EPA emissions requirements. A kei truck produced in 2001 becomes eligible for import on January 1, 2026. The exemption applies to the calendar year, so all vehicles from that production year become eligible on the same date.
Generally no. Vehicles under 25 years old must meet full FMVSS safety and EPA emissions standards, which kei trucks were never designed to pass. The compliance modifications would cost more than the truck itself. There are narrow exceptions for show/display vehicles and certain diplomatic imports, but these are not practical for everyday buyers.
January 1 of the year the vehicle turns 25. If your truck was made in 2002, it becomes eligible on January 1, 2027, regardless of the specific month it was manufactured. The rule goes by production year, not by the exact build date.
You can start shopping and arranging logistics 2 to 3 months before the eligibility date, but the vehicle cannot clear US customs until it is 25 years old. Many importers will purchase and ship vehicles in late November or December so they arrive at US ports right around January 1. This is a common strategy to be first in line.
Prices for newly eligible models typically spike in the months leading up to and immediately after their eligibility date as demand surges. Auction prices in Japan for soon-to-be-eligible trucks can rise 20 to 40% above the previous year's levels. If you can wait 6 to 12 months after eligibility, prices usually stabilize as supply catches up.

Get Notified When New Models Become Eligible

We'll email you when the next batch of kei trucks hits the 25-year mark, plus law changes and market trends.