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Cornerstone Guide

How to import a Kei truck from Japan to the USA

Importing a Kei truck runs through a predictable sequence: search, selection, purchase, export, shipping, federal import, customs, port, domestic transport, and state requirements. Here's each stage, explained plainly.

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Quick answer

How do you import a Kei truck from Japan to the USA?

To import a Kei truck, the vehicle must generally be at least 25 years old to qualify under the federal 25-year rule, which exempts it from modern FMVSS and EPA standards. You source and buy the truck through a Japanese exporter, who handles export paperwork and books ocean shipping; on arrival it clears U.S. Customs (where duty is assessed and the 25-year exemption is documented), then you title and register it in your state. Importing is federal, but whether you can register and drive it is decided by your individual state.
The Process

Ten stages, start to finish

  1. 01

    Search & shortlist

    Identify the model, configuration, and drivetrain that fit your use case, then search Japanese auctions and exporters for candidates. Import eligibility is checked up front — under the federal rule, a vehicle generally must be at least 25 years old to be imported without meeting modern FMVSS standards.

  2. 02

    Selection & inspection

    Review condition reports, auction grades, photos, and available inspection notes. This is where you weigh mileage, rust, service history, and any modifications before committing.

  3. 03

    Purchase

    Win the auction or agree a price with the exporter. Funds and paperwork are handled through the exporter, who prepares the vehicle for export.

  4. 04

    Export from Japan

    The exporter deregisters the vehicle, prepares export documentation (including the export certificate), and books it onto a vessel bound for a U.S. port.

  5. 05

    Ocean shipping

    The vehicle travels by container or roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipping. Transit times vary by route and port. Marine insurance is recommended to protect against loss or damage in transit.

  6. 06

    Federal import & customs

    On arrival, the vehicle clears U.S. Customs and Border Protection. A customs broker files the entry, duties are assessed, and the 25-year exemption is documented. This is the federal layer of the process.

  7. 07

    Port release & domestic transport

    Once released, the vehicle is picked up at the port and transported to you — often by an auto carrier arranged as part of the import.

  8. 08

    State titling & registration

    Finally, you title and register the vehicle in your state. Requirements — and whether Kei trucks are road-legal at all — vary significantly by state, so confirm your state's current rules before you buy.

Import questions, answered

What is the 25-year rule?

U.S. federal law generally exempts vehicles 25 or more years old from modern FMVSS and EPA requirements, which is what makes most Kei trucks importable. The vehicle's age is verified during import.

Are Kei trucks street-legal in my state?

It depends entirely on your state. Federal law governs importing; each state decides titling, registration, and road use. Check our state law database and always verify current rules with your DMV.

How long does importing take?

It varies with sourcing, auction timing, shipping route, and customs. Sourcing and shipping are usually the longest stages. We keep you updated at each step.

This guide is general information, not legal or import advice. Federal and state requirements change; verify current rules with the relevant authorities before purchasing or importing.

Federal sources

These are official U.S. government sources. Federal import, safety, and emissions requirements can change and depend on the specific vehicle and its classification at import. This is general information, not legal or customs advice — confirm current requirements with the relevant agency or a licensed customs broker before importing.

Related resources

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