Carmanji

Cost to Import a Kei Truck to Iowa

Not Legal

Iowa charges 6% sales tax, $36 registration, and $25 title fee. Enter your truck's price below to get a full breakdown.

6%

Sales Tax

$36

Registration

$25

Title Fee

Not Required

Inspection

$
Not Street LegalView Iowa laws

Origin: Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe, Tokyo

Estimated Total Landed Cost

$10,958 – $12,458

Delivered to Iowa

Vehicle
Shipping & Fees
Federal
State
Warning: Kei trucks are not currently street legal in Iowa. You can still import for off road, farm, or private property use.

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

Iowa State Fees

Sales Tax (6%)$480
Registration$36
Title$25
State Subtotal$541

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.

Importing a Kei Truck to Iowa: What You Need to Know

Under NHTSA's 25-year exemption, a typical $7,000 kei truck shipped RoRo to the West Coast will cost approximately $9,871 to $11,371 total landed in Iowa. That breaks down to roughly $2,175-$3,675 in shipping and logistics, $215 in federal customs fees, and $481 in Iowa state fees.

Iowa Kei Truck Laws

Kei trucks are currently not street legal in Iowa. You can still import one for off road, farm, or private property use. Read our Iowa kei truck law guide for alternatives and potential upcoming legislation changes.

Popular Models for Iowa Buyers

The most commonly imported kei trucks are the Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet, and Honda Acty. Prices range from $4,000 for a base model to $15,000+ for low mileage 4WD trucks with dump beds. Goo-net Exchange lists current inventory from Japan, and Hagerty tracks market values for insurance purposes. Compare all models on our model guide or use the comparison tool to see specs side by side.

Buying from a trusted dealer typically adds $1,000-$3,000 but includes shipping, customs, and all paperwork. You'll need to file CBP entry paperwork and an EPA exemption form. Read our pre-purchase checklist before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

A typical $7,000 kei truck shipped RoRo to the West Coast will cost approximately $9,871 to $11,371 total landed in Iowa. This includes shipping, customs duty, 6% state sales tax, $36 registration, and $25 title fee.
Kei trucks are not currently street legal in Iowa. You can still import for off-road, farm, or private property use, but they cannot be registered for public road driving.
Iowa charges 6% sales tax on vehicle purchases. On a $7,000 kei truck, that's approximately $420. Some counties may charge additional local tax.
The best port depends on your location in Iowa. West Coast ports (LA, Tacoma) are cheapest from Japan at $1,800-$2,800. East Coast ports (New York, Savannah) cost $2,400-$3,600. Gulf ports (Houston) fall in between. Choose the port closest to you to minimize inland transport costs.

Import Costs in Nearby States

IllinoisIndianaKansasKentucky

View All States →

Shipping Rates Change Monthly

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