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How to Import a Car from Japan to the USA

โœ“ 25+ years old RHD allowed 2.5% duty (cars) โฑ ~14โ€“45 days at sea

Yes — you can import a car from Japan to the USA if it is at least 25 years old, counted from the month it was built. Newer Japanese-market cars almost never qualify.

Base duty is 2.5% for cars (25% for trucks, including kei trucks). At customs you file two forms: NHTSA HS-7 and EPA 3520-1.

Written by Abdur (AZi Champ)Checked against official government pages
Age rule
25+ years old
Counted from the month of manufacture.
Emissions (EPA)
21+ years old
Original, unmodified engine.
Customs duty
2.5% for cars
25% for trucks and kei trucks. Extra tariffs can apply.
Forms
HS-7 + 3520-1
Filed with your customs entry.

โœ… Can you import a car from Japan to the USA?

Yes — but for Japanese-market cars, one route does almost all the work.

Most buyers
๐Ÿ

25-year exemption

For classic JDM cars
  • At least 25 years old, from the month it was built.
  • Exempt from US safety standards (FMVSS) — declared on form HS-7.
  • Right-hand drive is allowed.
๐Ÿ”ง

Registered Importer

For cars under 25
  • The car must be changed to meet every US safety standard.
  • Needs a Registered Importer and a DOT bond.
  • Most Japanese-market cars cannot be made to comply.
๐Ÿ†

Show or Display

For rare collector cars
  • Only for models NHTSA has approved as historically or technically special.
  • Driving is limited to 2,500 miles a year.
  • Not a route for everyday JDM cars.
๐ŸšซToo early means export or destroy. A car that arrives before it is 25 years old (by month) must be exported or destroyed. It cannot wait in port for its birthday.

๐Ÿš— Which Japanese cars can you import to the USA?

25-year rule today
Nov 2001

Cars built in November 2001 or earlier qualify. This line moves forward one month every month.

Popular JDM modelCan you import it?
Honda Civic Type R (EK9)Built 1997–2000All builds
Honda Integra Type R (DC2)Built 1995–2001Most buildsAll by end of 2026
Toyota Chaser Tourer V (JZX100)Built 1996–2001Most buildsAll by end of 2026
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)Built 1999–2002Most buildsAll by 2027
Toyota Supra (A80)Built 1993–2002Most buildsAll by 2027
Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)Built 1991–2002Most buildsAll by 2027
Nissan Silvia (S15)Built 1999–2002Most buildsAll by 2027
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIIBuilt 2001–2003Early buildsAll by 2028
Honda S2000 (AP1)Built 1999–2005Early buildsAll by 2030
Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33)Built 2002–2008From 2027
Mazda RX-8Built 2003–2012From 2028

Check the exact build month of your car — that decides the date.

๐Ÿ’ฐ How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to the USA?

Duty is low for cars. Brokers, ports and your state add the rest.

Car price in JapanAuction price + exporter fee, delivered to the Japanese port.
You choose
Shipping + marine insuranceRoRo ship or container to a US port.
Quote
Customs duty2.5% of the price paid for cars. 25% for trucks, including kei trucks.
2.5%
Extra tariffsTariffs on Japanese vehicles have changed several times since 2025. Ask a licensed customs broker for the current rate for your car's age.
Check
Customs feesMerchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%) and Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%, sea freight).
~0.5%
Customs broker + ISF filingMost importers use a broker. Container shipments need an ISF filed before loading.
Quote
Port, storage, truckingPort fees, storage if anything is delayed, and transport home.
Quote
State title + registrationTitle, registration and sales or use tax. Different in every state.
By state

Worked example: a 25-year-old car

Example figures in USD. Your own numbers will differ.
Car price in Japan$15,000
Shipping + insurance$2,500
Duty — 2.5% of $15,000$375
Customs fees (MPF + HMF)$71
Landed, before broker and state costs$17,946

If an extra tariff applies to your car, it is added on the car price. Your broker confirms the final figure before the car is released.

๐Ÿงฎ Live Landed-Cost Calculator

Estimate the total cost of importing a Japanese car to United States โ€” including auction price, shipping, duty & taxes โ€” in your local currency. Live FX rates updated daily.

Cost to import to United States
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ยฅ100kยฅ1Mยฅ3Mยฅ10M
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Auction priceโ€”
Shippingโ€”
Insurance (1.5%)โ€”
CIF subtotalโ€”
Duty & taxes (~3%)โ€”
Total landed cost โ€”
Approx. in USD โ€”
Vehicle Shipping & insurance Duty & taxes

Estimate only. Actual cost depends on auction fees, current FX, port charges, and customs valuation. Always confirm with a licensed broker before purchase.

๐Ÿค– AI Import Advisor

Tell us the car you're considering and our AI will give you an honest assessment specific to United States's rules — whether to import it, what to verify, and what to watch for.

Your inquiry is sent to Google Gemini AI for analysis. Don't include personal information. Free to use, 5 queries per hour.

Reading the auction sheet rulesโ€ฆ
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          AI-generated guidance — not a substitute for a licensed customs broker. Verify auction sheet, current duty rates, and import permits before purchase.

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          ๐Ÿ—‚ How to import a car from Japan to the USA, step by step

          1
          Check the build month. The car must be 25 years old by the day it arrives. Do not ship early.
          2
          Check the car before you pay. Get the original Japanese auction sheet — grade, real mileage, damage and rust — and get it translated.
          3
          Get the papers from Japan. The Japanese Export Certificate (with an English translation) proves ownership and the build date.
          4
          Book a customs broker. For container shipping, the ISF must be filed before the car is loaded.
          5
          Ship it. Common ports: Los Angeles/Long Beach, Seattle/Tacoma, Baltimore and New York/Newark. About 14–45 days, depending on the route.
          6
          File the customs entry. HS-7 (25-year box), EPA 3520-1 (21-year code), bill of lading, bill of sale and the export certificate.
          7
          Pay duty and fees. Get the stamped CBP Form 7501 — your state needs it for the title.
          8
          Collect the car. Check it against the auction sheet before you sign for it.
          9
          Title and register. Take the 7501 and the export certificate to your state DMV.

          ๐Ÿ“‹ Documents you need

          ๐Ÿ“„Japanese Export Certificate — original, with an English translation
          ๐Ÿ“„Bill of lading and bill of sale
          ๐Ÿ“„NHTSA HS-7 — 25-year exemption
          ๐Ÿ“„EPA 3520-1 — 21-year exemption
          ๐Ÿ“„ISF filing — for container shipments
          ๐Ÿ“„CBP Form 7501 — stamped at entry, needed for the title

          ๐Ÿ›๏ธ State rules and emissions

          ๐ŸŒด California is stricterCalifornia has its own emissions rules (CARB). Registering a Japanese import there is harder than in most states.
          ๐Ÿ›ป Kei trucks and kei carsThey import as trucks (25% duty) and some states limit them to off-road or low-speed use. Check your DMV first.
          ๐Ÿ”ฉ Engine swapsThe EPA 21-year exemption needs the original engine. A different engine model can void it.
          ๐Ÿ“… Proof of the build dateThe build month on the label or papers decides everything. No proof, no exemption.

          ๐Ÿ” Check the auction sheet before you buy

          Most Japanese cars for the USA come from auctions in Japan. These marks on the sheet cost you money after import:

          S ยท C
          Rust and corrosionUnderbody rust means repair bills. Common on cars from snowy areas of Japan.
          ๅ† ๆฐด
          Flood damageA flooded car is a bad buy anywhere. This note is written in Japanese, so get it translated.
          โ˜… / ?
          Mileage doubtThe real mileage is unknown. Japanese sheets show kilometres, not miles.
          R / RA
          Repaired accidentBoth mean the same thing — the auction house picks the letter. Check what was repaired.
          XX ยท W
          Replaced or repaired panelsOne is normal. Several on one side, or near a pillar, point to a bigger past impact.
          0 ยท 1
          Grade 0, 1 or "as-is"Major problems, or not graded at all. Only buy with a full translation and a repair quote.
          ๐Ÿ“– How to read an auction sheet ๐Ÿ”ค Every damage code ๐ŸŒ Sheet translation

          โš ๏ธ Common mistakes

          โ“ Questions buyers ask

          Can I import a car from Japan to the USA?
          Yes, if it is at least 25 years old from its month of manufacture. Newer Japanese-market cars almost never qualify.
          What is the 25-year rule?
          A car at least 25 years old is exempt from US safety standards. You declare it on NHTSA form HS-7 when it enters the US.
          Is it 25 years from the model year?
          No. It is 25 years from the month and year the car was built.
          How much is import duty on a Japanese car?
          2.5% for cars and 25% for trucks, including kei trucks. Extra tariffs have changed since 2025, so confirm the current rate with a licensed broker.
          Can I import an R34 Skyline GT-R?
          Yes, once that car is 25 years old. R34s were built from 1999 to 2002, so every R34 qualifies from 2027 — earlier cars already do.
          Do I need to convert right-hand drive?
          No. Right-hand-drive cars are allowed in the US.
          What is the EPA 21-year rule?
          Cars at least 21 years old, with the original engine, are exempt from EPA emissions rules. You declare it on form 3520-1.
          Do I need a customs broker?
          It is not required, but most importers use one for the ISF, the entry forms and the port.

          ๐Ÿ“š Official sources

          Every rule above comes from these official pages. Rules change — confirm with your customs broker before you ship.

          Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32/R33/R34) Toyota Supra A80 Honda NSX Mazda RX-7 FD Subaru Impreza WRX STI

          Verify the auction sheet before you import

          Confirm grade, mileage and accident history before shipping to United States. Original record from Japan's auction database. From $8.

          Verify Auction Sheet โ†’

          ๐ŸŒ Other Import Guides

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