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Import eligibility
A kei truck built for the Japanese market can be imported into the US once it is 25 years old, counted from the day it was built. Here is how the rule works, which forms prove it, and which trucks qualify this month.
Enter the build date from the truck’s plate or records, not the model year.
Not yet eligible
A truck built in October 2001 turns 25 during October 2026, on the same day of the month it was built. We can watch the auctions and buy a truck close to its date so it ships once it qualifies.
How it works
A vehicle at least 25 years old can be imported without meeting US safety standards. It is declared on the DOT HS-7 form, box 1, and "the 25 year period runs from the date of the vehicle's manufacture." Model year does not count.
Source: nhtsa.gov, Importation and Certification FAQs
EPA Form 3520-1 code E covers vehicles at least 21 years old (calendar years) in original, unmodified configuration. Any truck that passes the NHTSA test passes this one; the real risk is an engine swap.
Source: EPA Form 3520-1 (2024)
The entry is filed on CBP Form 7501 with the HS-7 and 3520-1. Kei trucks are goods vehicles (HTS 8704), so duty is 25% of the value at the Japanese port. The 25-year rule does not reduce it.
Source: USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule
Michigan lists the 7501, HS-7 and 3520-1 among the documents for titling an imported vehicle, and registers 25-year-old kei trucks for road use. Indiana has a mini-truck registration; Ohio limits mini trucks to roads posted at 35 mph or less. Check your own state.
Source: michigan.gov/sos, vehicle title FAQs; in.gov/bmv, mini truck registrations
The model-year trap: a truck listed as “2001” in Japan may not be 25 yet, and the export certificate shows the first registration month, which is not the build month. We confirm each truck’s build month before we bid, and we never import or pre-sell a truck before its 25-year date.
Qualifying now
A truck built in October 2001 qualifies on the day of the month it was built. Each month, another month of production becomes eligible.
KS3 · KS4 · TT1 · TT2
KS3 and KS4 eligible. TT1 and TT2 builds qualify on their own 25-year date: 1999 to 2001 builds through 2026, 2002 builds during 2027.
HA3 · HA4 · HA6 · HA7
HA3 and HA4 all eligible. HA6 and HA7 builds qualify on their own 25-year date: 1999 to 2001 builds through 2026, 2002 builds during 2027.
S100P · S110P · S200P · S210P
S100P and S110P eligible. S200P and S210P builds qualify on their own 25-year date: 1999 to 2001 builds through 2026, 2002 builds during 2027.
U41T · U42T · U61T · U62T
U41T and U42T eligible. U61T and U62T builds qualify on their own 25-year date: 1999 to 2001 builds through 2026, 2002 builds during 2027.
DA51T · DA52T · DA62T
DA51T eligible. DA52T and DA62T builds qualify on their own 25-year date: 1999 to 2001 builds through 2026, 2002 builds during 2027.
Kei trucks 25 years and older can be imported. Road use depends on your state. Michigan titles and registers kei trucks and microvans 25 years and older for on-road use if they were built for road use; younger ones can only be titled off-road. Check your own state before you buy.
25 years from the month and day it was built, not the model year. A truck built in June 2001 can be imported from June 2026. Our eligibility checker on the 25-year rule page works out the date for you.
It depends on the state. Indiana has a registration for mini trucks. Ohio limits them to roads posted at 35 mph or less. Wisconsin generally allows them. Rules change, so check with your state's DMV before you buy; we supply the federal import documents either way.
Tell us the model. We'll watch the auctions and line up a truck that ships the month it qualifies.
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