Import · Japan → USA

Importing a Nissan Silvia S15 to the USA in 2026

The drift-scene darling never sold in America — but the earliest S15s are about to be eligible.

By Marcus Lane, Vehicle import & export specialist · 6 min read

S15 production began in 1999, so the very earliest cars reach the 25-year line in 2026 while most still wait.

Check the build month carefully; importing a too-young S15 is the most common Silvia mistake.

The full cost breakdown

Plug in your own purchase figure — everything below the vehicle scales only modestly with value. All amounts are researched 2026 estimates in USD.

Estimated landed cost — Nissan Silvia S15, Japan → USA, 2026
Vehicle (purchase price)	$32,000
Export agent & auction fees	$1,200
Ocean freight	$2,700
Marine insurance (~1.5%)	$480
2.5% US duty	$800
Customs broker & port handling	$830
EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork	$300
Inland transport & registration	$1,500
Estimated all-in landed cost	$39,810

Only confirmed pre-cutoff build months are legal — a 2000+ build is still seizable if imported early.

Is the S15 legal yet?+

Only the earliest 1999 builds in 2026; most S15s are still too young.

Spec-R or Spec-S?+

The turbo Spec-R is the one to find.