1
Confirm the chassis-plate build date
The chassis plate, not the model-year nameplate, drives 25-year eligibility. Ask your exporter to photograph the plate before bidding.
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Importing a Kei Truck to the United States
25-year-from-manufacture federal exemption from DOT and EPA conformance.
Duty 25%
Eligibility: 2001 and earlier (in 2026)
Step-by-Step
2
Pick the right state
Kei trucks register cleanly in roughly 40 US states. Check your state on the Legality Verifier before purchasing — five states reversed direction between 2021 and 2024.
3
Engage a licensed customs broker
A US-licensed customs broker files the CBP entry, calculates the 25% Section 232 truck duty, and handles HTS classification. Quotes typically run US$300–600 for a single vehicle.
4
Pay deposit and arrange ocean freight
Standard route is Yokohama or Kobe to a US west-coast port (Long Beach, Oakland, Tacoma). Expect 14–21 days transit. Container freight in 2026 runs roughly US$3,800–4,800 per 40ft HC.
5
Customs clearance at port
Broker submits the entry, you pay duty and clearance fees, CBP releases the cargo. Allow 3–7 days for a clean entry.
6
Title and register in your state
Bring the Japanese export certificate (or a bonded letter if missing), the Bill of Lading, and your customs entry to your state DMV. Most states require a VIN inspection by a sheriff or DMV agent before issuing a title.
Key Documents
- ✓Japanese export certificate
- ✓Bill of Lading
- ✓Commercial invoice
- ✓CBP entry summary
- ✓EPA exemption declaration (vehicle 25+ years)
- ✓State VIN inspection certificate
Estimated Costs (USD)
| Line Item | Indicative Range |
|---|---|
| auction average | JPY 350,000–550,000 (US$2,400–3,800) |
| ocean freight | US$3,800–4,800 per 40ft HC (split across 4 keis) |
| duty 25pct | 25% of customs value |
| broker clearance | US$300–600 |
| state title | US$30–150 |
| indicative total | US$5,500–9,500 landed in port + state fees |
Watch Out For
- !Some states (California, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Rhode Island, Maine) currently decline on-road titling for kei trucks. Off-road and farm use is typically clear.
- !Federal 25-year exemption covers conformance only — your state can add its own emissions, safety, or inspection requirements.
Sourcing Partner
Oiwa Garage — US sourcing partner
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