Autozam AZ-1 USA Import: 2026 Cost Guide for the Gullwing Kei
A mid-engine kei car with gullwing doors that looks like a miniature supercar.
A Autozam AZ-1 costs about $23,170 all-in to import on the Japan → USA route in 2026 — a $16,000 purchase plus roughly $7,170 in shipping, 2.5% duty, compliance and registration.
- Route
- Japan → USA
- Est. all-in cost
- ~$23,170
- Duty & tax
- 2.5% duty
- On a purchase of
- $16,000
The Autozam AZ-1 is a mid-engine kei car famous for its gullwing doors and turbocharged three-cylinder engine.
Its rarity and exotic styling make it one of the most coveted kei cars among collectors.
How much does it cost to import a Autozam AZ-1?
Every line below is a researched 2026 estimate in USD. We start from the $16,000 purchase price, add marine insurance at about 1.5% and ocean freight, then 2.5% US duty on the declared value, and the broker, compliance and registration fees. Change the purchase price and everything else scales only modestly.
| Vehicle (purchase price) | $16,000 |
| Export agent & auction fees | $1,200 |
| Ocean freight | $2,700 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $240 |
| The standard US passenger-car import duty is 2.5% of declared value | $400 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $830 |
| EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork | $300 |
| Inland transport & registration | $1,500 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $23,170 |
Into USA the duty is light, just $400, so tax is the small part of the bill. It is shipping (about $2,700), compliance and registration that make up most of the roughly $7,170 you add on top of the $16,000 purchase price — around 45% before you turn a wheel.
How to import a Autozam AZ-1, step by step
- Agree the purchase and secure the title/export paperwork in Japan (an export agent or auction house usually handles de-registration).
- Book ocean freight — roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) is cheapest, a sole-use container is safest for a high-value car.
- Confirm eligibility from the build month — the US 25-year DOT exemption is calculated month by month, not by model year.
- Clear US customs and pay the 2.5% duty, then file EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7 at entry.
- Arrange inland transport, then title and register in your state — a few states add emissions or kei-vehicle checks.
Is a Autozam AZ-1 legal to import? Rules & compliance
AZ-1 cars older than 25 years are DOT-exempt under the 25-year rule, with EPA exemption at 21 years. As a kei vehicle, confirm your state's registration rules before importing.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Autozam AZ-1 so distinctive?+
Its gullwing doors and mid-engine layout give it supercar-like styling in a kei-sized package.
Is the AZ-1 rare?+
Yes, it was produced in limited numbers, making clean original examples relatively scarce and desirable.
What is the total estimated cost to import a Autozam AZ-1?+
About $23,170 all-in for a $16,000 example — the purchase price plus roughly $7,170 in freight, insurance, duty, compliance and registration. Your figure shifts with the exact price, route and exchange rate.
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