Importing the Essence of Japan: A Guide to Bringing Kei Trucks and Cars to the USA - DIY Import and Customs (2025)

FAQs

What is the 25 year rule for Kei trucks? ›

Federal Regulations for Kei Trucks

On a national scale, the US has rules that prohibit the importation of foreign vehicles unless they comply with federal pollution and safety standards. These vehicles are only allowed to be imported once they reach the age of 25, at which point they are classified as classics.

What import fees do I have to pay? You can expect to pay about 2.5% of the purchase price as the customs duty on a vehicle imported from Japan to the United States.

Most states have no recorded law about Kei trucks, which often leaves guidelines up to local motor vehicle departments. Even in states where Kei trucks are expressly legal, like Maine or Kansas, they're often prohibited from highways or interstates where speeds exceed 55 mph.

One big benefit of Japanese mini trucks is that they can easily be bought in bulk and shipped by container. We can fit up to seven trucks per container, making this method an economical and convenient way to order wholesale volumes of mini trucks.

Since—obviously—the tiny Kei is not built to the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, only Kei vehicles that are older than 25 years can be imported into the U.S., because vehicles that elderly aren't subject to FMVSS. That's why the newest Kei vehicles you see for sale in America are typically 1999 models.

Simply put, the USA's “25-Year Import Rule” regulates the importation of foreign vehicles into the United States. It stipulates that a vehicle must be at least 25 years old before it becomes eligible for import and deemed street-legal for use on American roads.

On average, Kei trucks can achieve impressive gas mileage in the range of 30 to 40 miles per gallon (mpg). Their compact size and nimbleness make them well-suited for urban settings. Highway Driving: While primarily designed for city use, Kei trucks can also deliver excellent gas mileage on the highway.

This is one of the top reasons why many Americans are turning to import cars from Japan. Japanese cars are less expensive than American cars, which means that you can get more for your money. Not only are they cheaper, but they also tend to be of better quality.

How long does it take to import a car from Japan to the USA? Shipping a car from Japan will take on average 8-10 weeks.

Do I need to pay import tax from Japan? ›

Common import costs you'll need to pay when importing from Japan include customs duties, MPFs, harbor maintenance fees, and transport costs. Personal imports from Japan valued at $800 or less may be entered into the U.S. duty-free.

The overall mileage or lifespan of a Kei truck can vary based on several factors, including the vehicle's maintenance, usage, and model-specific durability. However, Kei trucks are known for their longevity and durability, often exceeding 100,000 miles and even reaching 200,000 miles or more with proper care.

Japan's Tiny Kei-Trucks Have a Cult Following in the US, and Some States Are Pushing Back. Demand has surged for the cheap, often decades-old vehicles. But some regulators have safety or emissions concerns. Brian Mulcahy with his kei-truck on his blueberry farm in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Kei Vehicles are not compliant with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Therefore, they are not “street legal.” Kei Vehicles are barred from titling and registration.

These tiny Japanese pickup trucks that cost about $5,000 are winning fans in America. Tiny Japanese trucks that cost as little as $5,000 are winning over some Americans. Kei trucks are about 11 feet long and are typically limited to about 25 miles an hour.

Similar to the EPA, cars that are older than 25 productions years can be imported without regard to FMVSS standards. We've included a list of popular Japanese car models that are now 25 years old or older. These cars will also qualify with the EPA's 21 production year exclusion.

The Chicken tax is a 25 percent tariff on light trucks (and originally on potato starch, dextrin, and brandy) imposed in 1964 by the United States under President Lyndon B. Johnson in response to tariffs placed by France and West Germany on importation of U.S. chicken.

Although some Kei models are successfully exported or licensed, the great majority are designed and built for the Japanese domestic market (JDM) only, as they are entirely optimized to offer the most appealing vehicles within the very specific to Japan Kei-car rules, in addition to mainly being built with the steering ...