Importing a Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series to the USA
Diesel, manual, and never officially sold here — the JDM 80-Series is an overlander dream import.
By Marcus Lane, Vehicle import & export specialist · 6 min read
Japan-market 1HD diesel 80-Series wagons are 25-year eligible and prized for the engine the US never got.
As a wagon it takes the 2.5% car duty, not the 25% truck "chicken tax" — a key classification point.
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.
| Vehicle (purchase price) | $28,000 |
| Export agent & auction fees | $1,200 |
| Ocean freight | $2,900 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $420 |
| 2.5% US duty (wagon, not a pickup) | $700 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $830 |
| EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork | $300 |
| Inland transport & registration | $1,500 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $35,850 |
Compliance & the fine print
Confirm it is classified as a passenger wagon; a vehicle CBP deems a cargo truck attracts the 25% rate.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 25% truck tax apply?+
Not to the wagon — that rate targets cargo trucks.
Why import?+
The 1HD turbo-diesel manual was never sold in the US.
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