How to Import a Car
From Japan
A step-by-step breakdown of the JDM import process — from finding the car to registering it in your state.
Japan's domestic market is home to hundreds of iconic vehicles that were never officially sold in North America — the Toyota Supra, Nissan Skyline, Mazda RX-7, and countless others. Thanks to the federal 25-year import rule, many of these cars can now be legally imported and registered in the US.
The process has more steps than buying a domestic car, but it's far more straightforward than most people expect. Here's how it works, start to finish.
Most JDM imports are sourced through Japan's extensive auction network — a system that processes hundreds of thousands of vehicles every week, from budget project cars to low-kilometre collector examples. The primary channels are:
- Japanese auction houses — USS, TAA, JU, and others. The largest and most transparent sourcing pool available
- Licensed export dealerships — curate stock and handle paperwork on your behalf
- Specialty exporters — often focus on specific marques or categories
- Private sellers — less common for imports but possible through established channels
Most buyers work through a licensed Japanese export broker who has auction access and handles the bidding, payment, and export logistics. Setsu sources exclusively through auction networks — every car comes with a full auction sheet.
Every Japanese auction vehicle comes with a standardised inspection sheet — a detailed condition report that covers bodywork, interior, mechanical condition, and noted defects. Reading the auction sheet carefully before bidding is non-negotiable.
Japanese auction grades use the following scale:
| Grade | Condition |
|---|---|
| 5 | Near new condition — minimal to no signs of use |
| 4.5 | Excellent — very minor imperfections only |
| 4 | Very good — light wear consistent with age |
| 3.5 | Average — some visible wear, may have minor repairs noted |
| 3 | Below average — visible defects, may need attention |
| R | Repaired — accident history declared, repair noted on sheet |
Once you win an auction or agree a purchase, the export broker handles the full process of getting the car out of Japan. This includes payment processing, vehicle collection from the auction yard, deregistration from Japanese records, and all export paperwork.
- Export brokers typically charge $800–$1,500 depending on services included
- Payment is usually required within a few days of winning — have funds ready
- The export certificate (車検証 de-registration) is a critical document for US import
- Allow 2–4 weeks from purchase to the car reaching a Japanese port
There are two standard methods for shipping a vehicle from Japan to the US. Your choice depends on budget, how much protection the car needs, and whether you're shipping any additional parts.
When the car arrives at a US port, it must clear customs before it can be released. For vehicles over 25 years old, this process is significantly simpler — the car is exempt from federal motor vehicle safety standards and EPA emissions requirements.
- Vehicles 25+ years old qualify for exemption under the federal import rule
- Import duty is 2.5% of the declared vehicle value
- Most buyers hire a licensed customs broker to handle this step — fees typically $300–$600
You'll need the following documents for clearance:
- HS-7 Declaration (DOT compliance form)
- EPA Form 3520-1 (emissions exemption)
- Original Bill of Lading from the shipping carrier
- Japanese Export Certificate (deregistration document)
- Commercial invoice or purchase agreement
Once the car clears customs, it moves to your state for registration. Requirements vary by state but the process typically involves the following steps:
- Title conversion — the Japanese export certificate is converted to a US title
- VIN inspection — a physical inspection to verify the vehicle identification number
- Insurance — required before registration is issued
- State registration fees — vary significantly by state
- Safety inspection — some states require this; others do not for older vehicles
On top of the purchase price, these are the costs to expect when importing a JDM vehicle to the US:
Do It For You?
Setsu manages the full import pipeline — sourcing, inspection, shipping, customs, and delivery to your door. We've built the process so you don't have to navigate it alone.