How to Import a Kei Truck from Japan
Most kei trucks come in under the federal 25-year exemption, counted from the month they were built. Check yours, see what it will cost, and see whether your state will register it.
The 25-year rule: is my kei truck old enough to import?
Choose the month and year the truck was built. It is on its plate or its export papers, not always the same as the model year.
Pick the month and the year. The answer changes as you choose.
We count to the end of the build month so there is no doubt. NHTSA’s rule: the 25 years run from the date of manufacture. In November 2026, that means built in October 2001 or earlier. A truck built in November 2001 turns 25 on its build day this month, so check the exact date (if you don’t know it, wait until Dec. 1, 2026). Source: NHTSA importation FAQs.
What does it cost to import a kei truck?
Type the truck’s price from your seller or exporter in Japan, then change the other numbers to match your quotes. Boxes start with a figure we can source, or empty where we have none.
TapClick any box and type. The total updates as you type.
Type the price your seller or exporter in Japan quotes to see the total.
The truck box starts empty on purpose. US dealer prices (the middle of 99 asking prices in our latest sample was $7,700) already include shipping, duty and the dealer’s costs, so they are not what you would pay in Japan. Shipping is the middle of a rough $1,000 to $2,000 range from forwarder guides, so get a real quote. Duty is charged on the truck’s price. The customs fee (0.3464%, at least $35, at most $671) and the harbor fee (0.125%) are from CBP’s rules (19 CFR 24.23 and 24.24) and its fiscal-year 2027 fee notice (Federal Register, July 31, 2026), checked Nov. 10, 2026. We have no figures for broker, port or delivery costs, so those are yours to fill in. Estimates only: your customs broker gives the real numbers.
Will my state register it?
Importing is a federal step. Driving the truck on public roads is up to your state, and some states won’t register it. Pick yours.
How to import a kei truck from Japan
Seven steps from choosing a truck to the DMV. Tick them off; the ticks stay on this device.
Not legal advice. Your customs broker and your DMV decide the details.
The papers you need
Keep every one of these. Your DMV will ask for most of them.
- Customs entry summary (CBP Form 7501)
- Given to the importer when the truck clears customs. Many DMVs ask for it.
- DOT form HS-7, Box 1
- The declaration that the vehicle is at least 25 years old. NHTSA says the 25 years run from the date of manufacture.
- EPA import form (Standard Form 3520-1)
- The emissions declaration. For vehicles over 21 years old, EPA says the engine must be identical to the original: the same model and configuration. EPA also has separate rules for “mini-trucks” (engines under 1,000 cc, governed to 25 mph or less), so ask its Imports Hotline which applies to yours.
- Japanese export certificate
- With an English translation. It also helps prove the truck’s age.
- Bill of sale or invoice
- Shows what you paid, which is what duty is charged on.
- Proof of insurance
- Most states ask for it when you title the truck.
Three things that catch buyers out
The 25-year rule does not cancel the duty
The rule is about US safety standards. Duty is separate. CBP has ruled that Daihatsu Hijet mini dumpers, and other mini trucks, are charged 25% of their price. Some sellers and guides use the 2.5% passenger-vehicle rate instead, which applies to vans, not trucks, and is 12.5% to 15% in total for goods from Japan (see the kei van page). Ask your broker which one applies, in writing, before you ship. We also read the Section 232 vehicle notes (tariff schedule, note 33, Nov. 10, 2026): a truck under 8704.31.01 is on the list, but a vehicle made at least 25 years before its entry year goes under line 9903.94.04 and a Japan-made one under 9903.94.40, and both add nothing to the truck rate. Trucks not made in Japan were not checked. CBP ruling N338708 ↗ · N331411 ↗ · H299177 ↗
Check that the engine qualifies for the EPA exemption
For a vehicle over 21 years old, EPA says the engine must be identical to the one originally installed: the same model and configuration. A replacement engine of the same model and configuration can still qualify; a different engine type does not fit this rule. If the engine was ever swapped, ask EPA’s Imports Hotline before you ship (734-214-4100, imports@epa.gov): EPA says Customs and/or EPA can seize or export a vehicle that arrives without a valid exemption. EPA: learn about importing vehicles ↗
Legal to import is not legal to drive
In 12 states there is no regular route to everyday road plates, or it is very hard; a few allow limited exceptions, such as antique plates or renewals of old registrations. 10 more have no clear answer yet. Read your state’s page before you buy. All 50 states.
Importing a kei truck: questions
Can you import a kei truck into the US?
Yes. Most buyers use the federal 25-year exemption: a vehicle at least 25 years old, counted from the month it was built, can be imported without meeting US safety standards (NHTSA). Other routes exist (a model NHTSA has found eligible, brought in through a Registered Importer), but they rarely fit kei trucks. Getting it into the US does not guarantee your state will title or register it. NHTSA counts the 25 years from the date it was built. Buying one that is already in the US means the import is done: ask the seller for its import papers.
How much does it cost to import a kei truck?
The truck, plus ocean shipping (a rough $1,000 to $2,000), duty, small customs fees, a broker if you use one, and delivery. Use the calculator above; the quotes you add make it yours.
What is the duty on a kei truck?
CBP has ruled that Daihatsu Hijet mini dumpers, and other mini trucks, fall under the goods-vehicle tariff (8704.31) at 25% of their price. Some sellers quote 2.5%, which is the base rate for passenger vehicles; a Japanese-made passenger vehicle, such as a kei van built for passengers, pays 12.5% to 15% in total, depending on how a tariff note is read (see our kei van page). CBP has not ruled on every model, so ask your customs broker which rate applies to your truck, and get it in writing before you ship.
Does the 25-year rule cancel the duty?
No. The 25-year rule is about US safety standards. Duty is a separate customs charge, and for a Japanese kei truck it is usually 25% of the price. Ask your broker to confirm the rate in writing before you ship.
How do I prove my truck’s age?
Use the date of manufacture on the label or plate. NHTSA also accepts an invoice showing when it was first sold, a registration document at least 25 years old, or a statement from a vehicle historical society.
Can I import a kei truck younger than 25 years?
Generally not for road use. NHTSA says a vehicle that was not built to US standards can only come in if NHTSA has found it eligible and a Registered Importer brings it up to those standards.
Can I swap the engine before I import it?
Possibly. For vehicles over 21 years old, EPA says the engine must be identical to the one originally installed: the same model and configuration. So a replacement engine of the same model and configuration can still qualify, but a different engine type does not fit this rule. EPA strongly encourages calling its Imports Hotline before you import (734-214-4100, imports@epa.gov).
Does importing it mean I can drive it?
No. Importing is a federal step. Plates and road use are decided by your state. In 12 states there is no regular route to everyday road plates, or it is very hard. Check your state first.
Where these facts come from
- NHTSA: importation and certification FAQs ↗ (25 years, HS-7 Box 1, proof of age, eligible vehicles and Registered Importers). Read Nov. 14, 2026.
- EPA: learn about importing vehicles ↗ (over 21 years, engine identical in model and configuration, Imports Hotline). Read Nov. 14, 2026.
- EPA: publications and forms ↗ (Form 3520-1, mini-truck rules). Read Nov. 10, 2026.
- CBP ruling N338708 ↗ (Daihatsu Hijet mini dumper, tariff 8704.31, 25%). Read Nov. 10, 2026. Rulings N331411 (Hijet mini dumper) and H299177 (other mini trucks) give the same heading and rate.
- Federal Register: customs user fees for fiscal year 2027 ↗ (customs processing fee $35 to $671, 0.3464%). Read Nov. 10, 2026. Harbor fee 0.125%: 19 CFR 24.24.
- Federal Register: Section 301 actions, Japan (July 28, 2026) ↗ (from July 24, 2026: extra tariff on Japan is zero where the normal rate is 12.5% or more; goods under Section 232 are exempt). The Feb. 25, 2026 order “Ending Certain Tariff Actions” ↗ ended the 2025 reciprocal tariffs. Read Nov. 10, 2026.
- Shipping range: our data file, from forwarder guides. This is an estimate.
What we did not check: extra tariffs after Nov. 10, 2026, trucks not built in Japan, the rate for models CBP has not ruled on, and every state’s own import steps. Those are on each state page. General information, not legal or customs advice.
Is it legal in your state?
TapClick the yellow button. Your answer shows up right here.