Import · Japan → USA

Importing a Suzuki Jimny (kei) to the USA: 2026 costs

Tiny, cheap and hugely in demand — kei trucks and SUVs are the budget import story of the decade.

By Sofia Berg, Customs & compliance writer · 6 min read

25-year-old kei vehicles are cheap to buy and cheap to ship, so fixed fees dominate the bill.

Some US states restrict kei vehicles from highways or registration — check your state before buying.

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 — Suzuki Jimny kei, Japan → USA, 2026
Vehicle (purchase price)	$9,000
Export agent & auction fees	$1,200
Ocean freight	$2,400
Marine insurance (~1.5%)	$135
2.5% US duty	$225
Customs broker & port handling	$830
EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork	$300
Inland transport & registration	$1,500
Estimated all-in landed cost	$15,590

Federal import is fine at 25 years, but state registration is the real hurdle: a handful of states limit or ban kei road use.

Are kei cars street-legal in the US?+

Federally yes at 25 years, but some states restrict registration — verify locally.

Cheapest import?+

Among the cheapest, since the car itself is inexpensive.