1
Determine the pathway
Vehicles 25 years or older use the Personal Import (RAWS) scheme. Newer vehicles need a Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS) listing — confirm the specific variant is on the active SEVS register before purchasing.
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Importing a Kei Truck to Australia
25-year-from-manufacture personal-import pathway via RAWS; newer vehicles require SEVS listing.
Duty 5%
Eligibility: 2001 and earlier (in 2026) for the standard 25-year personal-import route.
Step-by-Step
2
Engage a licensed RAWS workshop
A Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme operator handles compliance plating. Their fee covers inspection, any required mods, and the federal compliance plate. Expect A$2,500–4,000.
3
Pay deposit and ocean freight
Yokohama to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, or Fremantle. Transit typically 14–21 days. Container freight runs A$4,500–5,800 per 40ft HC.
4
Customs clearance
Australian Border Force entry. 5% duty plus 10% GST on the CIF-plus-duty-plus-port-cost base. Your broker files this and pays.
5
Quarantine inspection
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry inspects for biosecurity contamination. Mud, plant matter, and pests trigger fumigation or cleaning fees. Pre-wash before shipping.
6
State registration
Compliance plate fitted, state engineer inspection completed, then register at your state's transport authority. Practice varies — NSW, Vic, Qld, WA each have their own quirks.
Key Documents
- ✓Japanese export certificate
- ✓Bill of Lading
- ✓Commercial invoice
- ✓ABF customs entry
- ✓RAWS compliance plate certificate
- ✓State engineering certificate
Estimated Costs (AUD)
| Line Item | Indicative Range |
|---|---|
| auction average | JPY 350,000–550,000 (A$3,700–5,800) |
| ocean freight | A$4,500–5,800 per 40ft HC (split across 4 keis) |
| duty 5pct | 5% of customs value |
| gst 10pct | 10% of CIF-plus-duty base |
| raws compliance | A$2,500–4,000 |
| broker clearance | A$500–900 |
| state registration | A$300–800 |
| indicative total | A$13,000–22,000 landed and registered |
Watch Out For
- !LCT (Luxury Car Tax) does not typically apply to keis, but high-mileage SEVS variants priced above the threshold can trigger it.
- !Quarantine fines for missed cleaning are real — pre-wash the chassis before the container loads.
Sourcing Partner
Oiwa Garage — AU-experienced sourcing
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