Carmanji

How Much Does It Cost to Import a Kei Truck?

Stop guessing. Enter your truck's price and destination state to get a real cost breakdown: shipping, customs duty, state taxes, registration, and every fee in between. Built from actual CBP import data and current freight rates.

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Street LegalView Texas laws

Origin: Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe, Tokyo

Estimated Total Landed Cost

$11,026 – $12,526

Delivered to Texas

Vehicle
Shipping & Fees
Federal
State

Shipping & Logistics

Ocean Freight$1,800 – $2,800
Port Handling / Terminal$200 – $400
Customs Broker$150 – $400
ISF Filing$25 – $75
Shipping Subtotal$2,175 – $3,675

Federal Customs & Duties

Customs Duty (2.5%)$200
Merchandise Processing Fee$32
Harbor Maintenance Fee$10
EPA ComplianceExempt (25-year rule)
DOT / NHTSA ComplianceExempt (25-year rule)
Federal Subtotal$242

Texas State Fees

Sales Tax (6.25%)$500
Registration$51
Title$33
Inspection$25
State Subtotal$609

Important Notes

  • Prices are estimates based on 2024-2025 market rates. Actual costs vary by broker, shipping line, and market conditions.
  • Vehicle must be 25+ years old to qualify for EPA and DOT exemptions under the 25-year import rule.
  • State sales tax is calculated on vehicle purchase price only. Some states tax differently.
  • Does not include inland transport from port to your location, optional insurance, or mechanical prep costs.
  • Always verify current state regulations before purchasing.

What Goes Into the Cost of Importing a Kei Truck?

Most people underestimate import costs by 30-50% because they only think about the vehicle price and shipping. The reality is there are at least eight separate line items between buying a kei truck at auction in Japan and driving it on US roads.

The vehicle price is just the starting point. On top of that, you're paying ocean freight ($1,800-$4,800 depending on coast and method), customs duty (a flat 2.5%, much lower than the 25% chicken tax on regular trucks), port handling fees, broker fees, state sales tax, and registration costs.

The 25-Year Rule Makes It Possible

Under NHTSA regulations, vehicles 25 years or older are exempt from federal safety and emissions standards. The EPA emissions exemption and DOT safety exemption together form the 25-year import rule that makes kei trucks legal to import. Without it, you'd need to spend $10,000+ modifying a 660cc kei truck to pass crash testing designed for 5,000-pound SUVs.

Check which models are currently eligible for import based on their production year.

Why Costs Vary So Much by State

Two identical Suzuki Carrys can differ by $500+ in total cost depending on where you register. Montana, Delaware, and Oregon have zero sales tax, saving you $300-$500 on a typical truck. States like California, Indiana, and Tennessee charge 7%+ sales tax.

Registration and title fees also vary wildly. Florida charges $302 combined. Mississippi charges $23. And some states require inspection fees on top of that.

Before you buy, always check your state's kei truck laws. Some states don't allow kei trucks on public roads at all.

Self Import vs Using a Dealer

Self-importing can save you $1,000-$3,000 compared to buying through a US-based dealer. But it requires navigating Japanese auction sites, international wire transfers, and customs paperwork. For your first truck, most buyers are better off using a vetted dealer who handles the entire process. Hagerty tracks kei truck market values if you need insurance or valuation data.

Read our complete import guide and pre-purchase checklist before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Total landed cost typically ranges from $8,000 to $20,000 depending on the vehicle price, shipping method, destination port, and your state's tax and registration fees. A $7,000 truck shipped RoRo to the West Coast will land around $10,000-$12,000 total. East Coast adds $500-$1,000 more in shipping.
US law requires imported vehicles to meet EPA emissions and DOT safety standards, unless the vehicle is 25 years old or older. A kei truck manufactured in 1999 became exempt on January 1, 2024. This exemption is why most imported kei trucks are older models. Vehicles under 25 years old face $10,000+ in compliance modifications or cannot be imported at all.
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) means the vehicle drives onto the cargo ship. It's the cheapest option at $1,800-$3,600 depending on route. Container shipping locks the truck inside a 20-foot container for more protection from salt spray and weather, but costs $500-$1,200 more. Most kei truck importers use RoRo unless the vehicle is in collector condition.
Technically no, but practically yes. A customs broker handles CBP paperwork (Form 7501), EPA Form 3520-1, DOT Form HS-7, and ISF filing. Mistakes can delay your truck for weeks or result in seizure. Brokers charge $150-$400, which is cheap insurance for a smooth import. Many importers and dealers include brokerage in their price.
Ship to the port closest to your home to minimize inland transport costs. West Coast ports (LA, Tacoma, Portland) are cheapest from Japan at $1,800-$2,800 RoRo. East Coast ports (New York, Savannah, Jacksonville) run $2,400-$3,600 RoRo. Gulf ports (Houston, New Orleans) fall in between. The cost difference between coasts is roughly $600-$800.
Yes. Kei trucks are classified under HTSUS code 8704 (motor vehicles for transport of goods), which carries a 2.5% duty rate. This is much lower than the 25% duty on regular light trucks (the 'chicken tax'). Kei trucks avoid the chicken tax because they're classified as goods transport vehicles, not passenger vehicles.
Most states charge sales/use tax on the purchase price when you title the vehicle. Five states have no sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Tax rates range from 2.9% (Colorado) to 7.25% (California). On a $7,000 truck, that's $0 to $507 depending on your state.
You can self-import, but using a dealer or importer is easier for your first truck. Self-importing saves $1,000-$3,000 but requires navigating Japanese auction sites, international wire transfers, freight forwarding, customs paperwork, and port pickup logistics. Established importers handle everything for a markup. Check our dealer directory for vetted importers.

Import Cost by State

Every state has different sales tax, registration fees, and kei truck legality. Pick your state for a tailored estimate.

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Shipping Rates Change Monthly

Get notified when freight rates drop, new models hit the 25-year mark, and states change their kei truck laws.