If you’re researching how much it costs to import a car from Japan, you’re probably looking for a single set number. The honest answer is that your total landed cost depends on where you live, how you ship the vehicle, and which kei you choose. A Suzuki Carry destined for Vancouver will cost differently than an Autozam AZ-1 on its way to London.
What we can give you is a clear breakdown of every cost component, realistic ranges by country, and a path to an exact quote before you commit a single dollar. At Japan Car Direct, we make costs clear upfront. Taxes, duties, and paperwork are calculated in advance, not sprung on you after the car is already on the ship.
Before we get into country-specific figures, it’s important to understand the components. Every kei car import breaks into the same five cost layers, regardless of destination.
Kei cars sell at auction in Japan, and prices vary enormously by model, condition, and demand. A clean kei truck (Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet, Honda Acty) in good mechanical condition with low-to-moderate kilometres can sell for surprisingly modest sums. The 1990s kei sports cars (Cappuccino, Beat, AZ-1) command higher prices because collectors worldwide are competing for limited supply.
The auction price is transparent. You see the auction sheet, translated into English, before we bid. You set your maximum. There is no guesswork.
These cover everything between winning the auction and loading your kei on a ship. They include: the JCD service fee, auction house buyer’s premium, independent pre-bid inspection with photos (if requested), inland transport from the auction house to the export port, de-registration, and the export certificate.
Japan Car Direct quotes all Japan-side costs as a package. You know what you’ll owe before you approve a bid.
Your kei travels from Japan to your destination port by ocean freight. The two methods are RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off, where the car drives onto a vessel deck) and container shipping (where the vehicle is loaded inside a 20ft or 40ft steel container).
RoRo is typically the cheapest option for a single vehicle. Container shipping costs more per car but makes sense if you are importing multiple vehicles, want additional weather and theft protection, or your destination port doesn’t handle RoRo vessels. We’ll cover this in more detail below.
Every country charges some type of import duty, consumption tax, VAT, or GST on the landed value of the vehicle. Rates differ dramatically. Some countries offer preferential rates for Japanese vehicles under trade agreements (like CPTPP). Others apply flat percentages regardless of origin. Don’t worry, we’ll break it all down country by country in the next section.
Once the vehicle clears customs, most countries require some form of compliance inspection, modification, or plating before you can drive it on public roads. This can be as simple as a standard roadworthy inspection or as involved as a full Individual Vehicle Approval test. Costs here range from minimal to significant, depending on where you are.
Here is what you can expect in the major markets our buyers import to. All of the below figures are estimates based on typical 2025/2026 transactions, and are intended as orientation, not binding quotes. Your actual total depends on the specific vehicle, the shipping route, and current exchange rates, so they will likely vary depending on your specific situation.
The eligibility rule is simple: any vehicle 25 years or older is exempt from federal safety and emissions standards under the NHTSA 25-year rule. You file EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 at the port to confirm exemption. No modifications, no crash testing, no emissions certification.
The cost components that vary the most for US buyers are shipping (West Coast ports like Long Beach and Tacoma are cheapest from Japan; East Coast and Gulf ports add to the ocean freight) and state registration (some states charge sales tax on the declared value, others don’t; inspection requirements also differ from state to state).
US customs duty on passenger vehicles is 2.5%. Trucks attract a 25% “chicken tax” duty, though kei trucks over 25 years old have historically cleared at the 2.5% rate as they enter under the vintage exemption. Confirm current tariff classification before bidding.
A typical total landed cost for a kei truck to a West Coast US port, including vehicle, Japan-side costs, RoRo shipping, and duty, falls in a range that is well below what a comparable used domestic truck costs. Sports cars run higher at auction, so the total is higher.
For US state-level rules, read our kei legality by US state guide. If you want to know more, check out the USA import page.
Canada’s 15-year rule makes it one of the friendliest markets for kei car imports. Any vehicle 15 years or older is exempt from Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which means keis from 2011 and earlier are already eligible. This opens up newer, lower-kilometre examples that US buyers cannot yet touch.
The process runs through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV). You pay an RIV fee, clear the vehicle through CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency), and pay GST (5%) on the vehicle value plus shipping. Provincial sales tax (PST) or HST applies on top, depending on your province. British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec all have different rates.
Canada benefits from CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), which reduces or eliminates duty on Japanese vehicles. Read our breakdown of tariffs and CPTPP for Canada for more specifics.
Landed costs for a kei car to Canada are broadly comparable to the US, sometimes lower due to the duty reduction under CPTPP, sometimes higher due to provincial taxes. Vancouver is the cheapest port for ocean freight. You can find more on our Canada import page.
The UK is a natural home for kei cars. Right-hand drive is standard, so Japanese keis need no conversion. The market is well-established, with kei trucks and vans becoming increasingly more popular for farm use, small businesses, and urban deliveries.
Import duty is currently 6.5% on the CIF value (vehicle plus insurance plus freight). VAT at 20% is then charged on the duty-inclusive total. These two charges together add roughly 28% to the landed cost before the vehicle touches UK soil.
Most kei vehicles will need to pass an IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test or qualify for a historic vehicle exemption if over 40 years old. The IVA process checks lighting, emissions, and basic safety. Some modifications (rear fog lamp, speedometer in mph) may be needed. Costs for IVA and any required work vary but are well-documented and predictable.
For kei-specific UK guidance, read our kei cars for the UK page and our article on kei trucks to the UK. Also check out our UK import page.
Australia accepts right-hand-drive vehicles and has a strong JDM import culture. Kei vehicles can enter under the SEVS (Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme) pathway, through a RAWS (Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme) workshop, or under the personal import scheme for vehicles over 25 years old.
The 25-year pathway is the simplest: vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from ADRs (Australian Design Rules) and do not need SEVS eligibility. They still require a customs entry, GST at 10% on the customs value, and a state-level roadworthy inspection.
For newer kei vehicles (under 25 years), the SEVS/RAWS path adds compliance costs that can be significant: workshop fees for ADR modifications, certification, and plating. Luxury Car Tax (LCT) is unlikely to apply to keis given their low value, but it is worth checking if you are importing a high-value collectible.
Shipping to Australia is competitive, with regular RoRo services from Japan to major ports.
New Zealand is one of the easiest countries to import a kei vehicle into. RHD is standard, and the compliance regime is straightforward for Japanese vehicles. Your kei needs an entry certification (border inspection), a compliance check against NZ transport rules, and a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) before registration.
GST is 15% on the CIF value. Duty rates depend on the vehicle type but are generally modest for used vehicles from Japan. The overall landed cost to New Zealand tends to be lower than Australia due to simpler compliance and shorter shipping distances.
See the New Zealand import page for more details.
Buyers in these markets can absolutely import kei vehicles, but each has specific considerations.
Ireland follows EU type-approval rules. Vehicles over a certain age may qualify for simplified registration, but VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax) based on emissions and NOx charges add cost. RHD is standard in Ireland, so keis fit without conversion.
Cyprus has a favourable position for Japanese imports, with a 5-year age limit (vehicles must be under 5 years old for standard import, though classic and collector exemptions exist for older vehicles). Read our importing to Cyprus article for the current rules.
Germany requires TÜV approval and left-hand-drive conversion for daily use, which makes kei imports more complex and costly. Enthusiasts do it, but the compliance path is longer. See the Germany import page.
The UAE has relatively low import barriers and no age restrictions for most vehicle classes. Duty is 5%, and there is no VAT on used vehicle imports in most emirates. RHD vehicles are legal to drive. The UAE import page has further detail.
For a single kei car, RoRo is almost always the cheapest shipping method. The vehicle drives onto a specialised car-carrier vessel and drives off at the destination port. You pay per cubic metre (keis are small, so the rate is low), and the service runs on regular schedules to major ports worldwide.
Container shipping costs more for one vehicle because you are paying for the entire container space regardless of how much you fill. It makes financial sense when you are importing two or three vehicles in a shared container, or when you want the added security of a sealed steel box for a high-value collectible.
Some destination ports only handle container freight, which removes the choice. Our team advises on the best option for your specific route. In most cases, for a single kei truck or van headed to a major port, RoRo is the answer.
Every estimate we’ve laid out in this article is general by design. Your actual cost depends on the specific vehicle you buy at auction, the current exchange rate, the shipping route, and your country’s current duty and tax rates.
Japan Car Direct calculates the full Japan-side cost (vehicle, fees, shipping) as a firm quote before you approve a bid. For destination-side costs (duty, tax, compliance), we help you estimate based on current rates and connect you with customs brokers and compliance workshops in your country where needed.
The result: you know what you will pay before you commit. No guesses, no surprises at the port.
Read our How to Buy process for a step-by-step walkthrough, or start by deciding which kei to choose first.
How much does it cost to import a kei car from Japan?
Total landed cost depends on your country, the vehicle, and the shipping method. It includes the auction price, Japan-side fees, ocean freight, and destination duties and taxes. Japan Car Direct provides a firm Japan-side quote upfront, and helps estimate destination costs before you commit.
What is the cheapest way to import a car from Japan?
Choose a kei vehicle with modest auction demand (kei trucks are typically the most affordable), ship via RoRo to the nearest major port, and ensure the vehicle qualifies under your country’s age-based exemption to avoid costly compliance modifications.
Is it cheaper to import a kei car to the US or Canada?
Canada’s 15-year rule opens access to newer, more plentiful vehicles, and CPTPP can reduce or eliminate duty. The US 25-year rule limits choice to older models but avoids compliance costs entirely. Total landed costs are broadly similar, with provincial taxes in Canada sometimes tipping the balance.
Are there hidden costs when importing from Japan?
Not with Japan Car Direct. We quote all Japan-side costs (service fee, auction premium, transport, export paperwork) as a single transparent figure before you approve a bid. Destination duty and tax rates are published by your government and calculated in advance.
Does RoRo or container shipping cost less?
RoRo is cheaper for a single vehicle in almost all cases. Container shipping becomes cost-effective when you share a container with two or three vehicles, or when your destination port does not accept RoRo vessels.
You now know what goes into the cost. The next step is getting real numbers for your specific situation.
Register free with our Auction Registration Service. Tell us the model you want, your destination country, and your budget. Our team will provide a firm Japan-side cost quote and help you estimate total landed cost before you commit to anything.
There is no obligation. Hundreds of buyers across the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and beyond have used this service to find and import their kei. Just check out what they say on our Google Reviews page.
As Scott Bower says: “Enjoy the Process and Love the Results.” Let us show you exactly what your kei will cost.
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