How to Import a Japanese Kei Truck, Van or Car. Don't Make the Same Mistakes I Did! 

Just purchased a Acty on the 8th of this month , truck is going on the Boat the 28th arriving in jax January 15th . This video has givin me the courage to give it a shot ! Currently spent 3500 on a absolute mint one by Diyata aswell . I will come back and reply to my own comment later in the stages to keep you guys updated on my little journey ! Love this community it brings

this is the absolute best, most thorough, and easy to understand video on how to import a kei vehicle. i think i've watched this video like 20 times by now lol. waited patiently to comment until i got my kei truck physically at my address. legit so well documented to the point that i would pull this up and reference the video each time i hit each milestone/step you have outlined in the video. it made me feel so much more confident about customs as well as what to expect when showing up to the port and making me look much less like a dumbass than i would have otherwise!! many many thanks for the time and effort you put into this video. i doubt i would have a cute little 95 acty if it weren't for this upload!

Im in the Philippines and have a custom Suzuki Every Wagon. I had to change out the suspension and added a 2" lift and 24" MT's since its a 4x4. It now has good clearance for some of the mountain roads here in the Philippines. Mine started life as a right hand drive and got changed to a left hand drive when it was imported to the Philippines. Great running van. And i love the turbo.

Just a point to add. You can buy used vehicles through a dealer like you did, or through an agent at an auction. Both can do the inspections, translations, all the paperwork and arrange shipping. I would look at both routes as the auction maybe cheaper depending on the vehicle. Great video !!

This has to be the best video I’ve seen on importing a vehicle. I’m not looking at a ban or truck, but I know this will be very valuable info for getting my ride someday. Thank you for sharing!

I'm going to go to Baltimore Marryland to pick up my kei trucks in couple weeks, luckily I found your channel my friend, your video is very informative in every steps, subscribed

great video and very informative. perfect video for someone looking to do it all themselves!!!!

Thanks for the great content and details. I would never have known that you were essentially forced to use an import agent if you imported more than one vehicle. I love all the forms mentioned and the difficulties you encountered. Unfortunately everyone should plan on a dead battery, thus bring a spare battery and jumper cables. Good work on diagnosing that fuel pump! 90% of the time electrical related issues, i.e. spark plugs, wires, coils, etc. This time you hit the lottery on the 10% fuel issue.

I negotiated a price at 3200 for 3000 flat and they went for it- realize they have high supply especially of trucks.

Hopefully these notes are accurate. I added some stuff from your comments too. Importing from Japan 1. Pick your car 2. Pay for it after you requested invoice - some comments suggest you may be able to negotiate the price slightly... - make them separate shipping from vehicle cost! for duties/registration/taxes reasons 3. Shipping assignment - they will send you a shipping vessel assignment - estimated departure, estimated arrival, ship name 4. File ISF after you get draft bill of lading (BL) - importer security filing (10+2) - records information and details of the shipments via cargo vessel - make sure of accurate details! - EasyISF can file for you. - need copy of BL, Invoice 5. Wait for it to arrive to the port 6. Receive final Bill of Lading should contain originals of - Invoice (hopefully properly separated s&h and car price!) - Bill of Sale (probably with odometer disclosure) - Bill of lading (a few originals) - insurance form for boat travel - original title (export certificate) - translated Title (export certificate) 7. May have to translate title officially certified in florida - scan the title so they can mail you a translated notorized copy of a translated title - sites like rapidtranslate.org can officially translate documents like that and send them back to you certified hardcopy notorized. 7a. Arrival Date notification - you may get notified of the arrival date and how to pay boat thing and store it till you get there 8. Pay the handling fee - They will send you an email with the amount to pay for unloading/etc - *** Must send them an original bill of lading to their office prior to trying to pick it up - Some exporters may send the BL to the vessel company, some don't... 9. Send the original Bill of lading to their office 10. Watch for ships arrival 11. Call port to check if cleared inspections - they check for seeds, agricultural stuff, foreign soil, contaminants. if so they will charge you for cleaning - they check for smuggled goods etc 12. Get forms ready - 3 forms you need to fill out - HS7 - national highway safetey form - check box 1 and fill out info at bottom of the page - CBP 7501 - entry summary form - use title information and fill in blanks - EPA 3520-1 - Fill in applicable information and check box E for 21 years or older - 6-7 that you need to bring with you. - translated title (or certified title you got from translation) - original title/japanese title (export certificate) - original Bill of lading - invoice - line item shippiong and vehicle cost - ISF 10+2 receipt and confirmation (just in case) - Check to pay duties 13. Drive to the port - DONT FORGET TO GET A HIGH VIS VEST before going into the port (harbor freight probably sells them/amazon/ebay/etc) Suggested items? - possibly winch on hand for the trailer - car battery charger - jumper cables 14. Go to customs - get turned down cause you're not a broker lol (if 2nd time importing?...) - if you've imported previously you have to go through customs broker. you get "one freebie" - jacksonville gets a lot of requests and does 1 for you but if you do more you need to use a broker 15. Get a TWIC escort - DONT FORGET TO GET A HIGH VIS VEST before going into the port - these people have clearance to be in the port etc and can escort you to your cargo - need to be escorted on and off the port by them - ~ $150 fee - 12 pm apparently the port closes for lunch.... 16. Locate car and load it up - Go to office and pay the fees and have them clear you to pick it up and put on trailer, or drive away etc.

I'm thinking about doing this. Freeport TX is an hour away, but all the forms and song and dance about picking it up at the port makes me so nervous. Videos like this are gold though, so helpful! I want a Sambar so bad.

You really did do a thorough job of laying out waht to do... respect for that. Thanks buddy.

Congrats on getting Kiki. Thanks for the advice and information. Great vid. Oh and the Kiki song was the best part.

Thanks for the detailed really well done video

Very nice little van, congrats 👏

I'm VERY interested in purchasing one of these when my element dies, i can fit paddleboards bikes, kakas, skis, doesn't matter, the truck version is cool too

Definitely useful information I’ll use in the future to buy a similar van or truck. Thank you! Just wish there was a dealership that can simply charge about $4-5k flat and sell these so they do all the necessary import paperwork and permits so on my end just buying it like a regular vehicle and all I have to do is take the title to the DMV, get insurance and be issued a tag. I’m sure such dealerships exist but I’m worried about them charging me an arm and a leg(upwards of $9-$16k for a K-car when it only cost them about $5k all in. Ha!

I've just imported a Kei Suzuki Carry into Australia. It was such a smooth easy process. I got a 2020 model that's automatic and only 47 000 kms. I did have to change the tyres, get the air con re-gased to Aus standards and install an FM radio as the Japanese AM didnt work here. but that was it. Seeing as in Japan they use kms not miles and drive right hand wheel like we do, I was super lucky with everything. I'm now excited to start building my micro camper on the back. Next step welding the frame 😊

A warning to anyone importing those subaru sambar's that have the vw front end conversion kits, you might have a problem importing it to the usa. I personally have not tried it myself but heard from us military people in okinawa that they had problems with theirs. It makes sense since the original jdm bumper is taken off. Its better to do the conversion after its shipped

I really want to get a kei truck but this all seems terrifying especially with the fact that I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed and i have to deal with CA which Im looking into and apparently they’re illegal but people still have them

i also want to note for those people that dont have the courage to do all this, you can use a company like Japan Car Direct and they will take care of almost everything on the japan side. you can tell them what vehicle and specs you are looking for and your budget and they will do all the searching for you. once you decide on the vehicle, you pay them and they take care of getting it to port and on a ship. at that point you can reach out to a customs broker in the US and they will take care of everything on the US side (epa, dot, and customs forms).

I get that you can't buy these trucks thinking that you can get an ROI on them, but they're pretty cool!

Great informative video and pleasure to have found your channel. Subscribed👍

Found K truck is booming in US, EU, AUS etc. More and more demand down the road ? Personally wish to export mini truck outside Japan !! My first name is actually KEI. LOL.

Do you have a video on what is needed to register the van in Florida?

Such a great video! I live in Florida as well so this is very relevant. I've been wanting one of those trucks real bad and some others they're so cool! Hopefully soon!

Awesome and thorough job. Greatly appreciated. Merriest of Christmas' for you and yours.

May I ask which insurance company in Florida you found that would insure a antique car?

love them jdm wheels, can you put a link on where you got them?

Just purchased a 1998 every van turbo. This video is great and gave me the confidence to get one myself. Just as a fyi you can negotiate a little with them I managed to get them down 100 bucks 😂. You also inspired me to try and negotiate. I would love some info on the wheel and tire setup you have as well as where you are getting your parts from.

Аawesome van...it was very informative...thanks for sharing...👍😎🤘🇺🇸

I’ve been waiting nearly 2 months for them to schedule shipping. Is this normal? If I want to get cars faster in the future is there a better way?

Great video best one yet!

Are you going to do a pros and cons list for the van as well I'm trying to decide on which to get as a gas saver commuter

Best video! thanks for sharing. Question, do i need to bring trailer to pickup the car from the port?

Good afternoon sir is there a private way for us to talk about help with getting one of my own internet dumb.

Is there anyway you know of to pay duties online? Trying to save the trip to the CBP office and picking up the vehicle next week. It'd be very hard for me to take a weekday off work to do it & I seen the cbp offices are closed on weekends

Car from Japan will accept an offer.

Hey, did the translation have a notarized signature stating that the notary witnessed in person, or was it a remote notary?

really nice video! Frustrating that they basically mandate you to use a broker, increasing the cost of these by 5-10%, and also "customs thinks this is commercial therefore 25% tax" ?!?! wonder if there is a way around that as well. Did it feel like the broker besides using her contacts for the various reasons stated was even necessary since you had all your other ducks in a row? or what exactly would they do in the situation where you've done everything correctly up until the go to customs office step.

Ok,at this price,this is with you doing all the paperwork .. if I don't want to mess with all that,how much extra would it be added to this cost?

that sounds great except the paper work would drive me crazy. i would rather pay double the price then deal with the paper work. paper work has always been my worst nightmare.

love the idea of doing it myself but ill pay someone to do it i am not sure i have your patience to do this process lol

Just bought a 1994 Suzuki carry! Love those wheels and tire combo, what’s your total diameter of rims and tires together. Mine has a 2 1/2 inch lift on it, and try to picture how those wheels/ tires would look.

Thank you very much!

1)If you hold a current TWIC card, do you still need a TWIC Escort???? 2)At what point do you bring in the customs broker?

Are you going to do a video on the fuel pump

Seems like it is worth it to just buy a vehicle already here in the states, somehwere that will do all the paper work and repairs to make it a solid vehicle before you even pick it up. You have an incredible attitude ❤ i wouldve been so disappointed and probably pissed 😂 great price though. All in to get it road worthy what is your cost?

when you registered your Acty’s at the dmv. do they need the bill of sale ?

Thanks for the info. The only question, where did you get the fuel pump and how much $$$

If some say, the car breaks down and needs parts, is it easy to find its parts?

i dont know if anyone has addressed this, but negotiating really isnt a thing in japan and if you try to haggle any price you will most likely get ignored or asked to leave. its shown as a disrespectful act there

Is there any way that once my truck arrives at the port, I could have it cleared and shipped to my location without me being there? Or do I have to go in person for it to be cleared? I was just wondering because I am 13 hours from the closest port.

Im pleased to see kie trucks gaining popularity in the US. While here in the philipines millions of kie trucks are imported from japan although its righthand drive its converted to d left cause its illegal here, New units such as suzuki carry Da64, 65& 70 are more advanced already efi.turbo,lifted 4x4 minivans trucks its cheap here reliable cute fuel efficient check youtube filipino surplus kie trucks multicab

So how do these guys import the newer kei trucks into the US to be used as a UTV? I've found used ones in the 2014-2020 range for farm use...Oh no, we can't do that....but can I sell you a new one for $25,000? Grrrrrrrr......

So when you went through your broker, i saw you didn’t go back to the customs office, did you ever get a form 3461 from them? I bought a 1997 honda Stepwgn and used Easy ISF to do my paperwork for me, but im not sure if i have everything i need or not.

Is it hard to drive a car with a steering wheel on the right

Beware of importing if you are not a naturally energetic person, who is also a mechanic, like this guy is, or if you live far from a port.

Who you gave the forms to? No broker ? I don't understand

hey man! just wondering what size of the rims do you use on your white kei truck?

Hello, my name is Aki I'm from Japan. I am thinking of starting an export business of cars and trucks in Japan, but I don't know how to find export partners. I would like to know how I can find a sales partner outside of Japan. so I want advice🙏 I would be happy to work with you if you are interest haha

What are the rims and tires you put on the van?

Hey I would love to get in contact with you I live in central florida and just bought a kei truck from car from japan but would love some extra tips if you wouldn’t mind. I bought it for upgrading my Scion xB pizza box into a pizza truck .

How did you find Jays Twic escort?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THAT WAS LITERALLY THE EVERY I WANTED TO GET I HAD TALKED TO KENJI I LITERALLY HAD IT SELECTED I AM SCREAMING AND CRYING NOW AND ITS YOUR FAULT I DIDNT GET MY MONEY UP FAST ENOUGH

I find the lack of info, or incorrect info on listings to be annoying. Your turbo is the perfect example. I actually want a turbo or supercharger van, but it's often not clear on the listings. That, and poor quality photos, as you mentioned. I asked for more photos, and they flat out refused. They're selling the vehicles for at least double what they are worth, sometimes more, and they won't even put in the effort to take a few photos. It's not a good experience.

How fast does this go?

How much did you have to pay your broker?

And that’s why I’ve never imported a vehicle!

wow, seems like a real pain in the ass...

And you can sell it for 2x your investment in less than 5 years.

The "needing a broker to help you" is a fucking scam and they should all be fired. Really needs to be investigated.