Buy a Kei Truck From Japan
Japan is where the widest selection of Kei trucks lives — auctions, exporters, and dealers list far more than what's already in the U.S. Buying from Japan means more choice, but also import eligibility, logistics, and landed cost to plan for. Here's how it works.
Why buy from Japan
If you want a specific model, drivetrain, or configuration, the U.S. pool may not have it — but Japanese sources frequently do. Sourcing from Japan widens your selection dramatically.
The tradeoff is process: you'll deal with export documentation, ocean freight, customs, and duty. A sourcing service handles the searching and eligibility checks so you're not navigating Japanese auctions alone.
Three ways to buy
U.S. inventory
Vehicles already imported and available through appropriate U.S. sellers and dealers. Shorter delivery path and easier to inspect in person, but selection and specific configurations are limited to what's on hand.
Japanese sources
Vehicles available through exporters, auctions, dealers, and sourcing partners in Japan. A far wider pool and more configurations, with added shipping, documentation, customs, and timing to plan for.
KeiScout search
Tell us exactly what you want — year range, drivetrain, configuration, budget, and destination state — and KeiScout searches appropriate U.S. and Japanese sources, verifying import and title eligibility before you commit.
What sourcing from Japan involves
- Confirming the vehicle's verified manufacture date for the 25-year rule
- Searching appropriate auctions, exporters, and dealers for a match
- Export documentation and freight booking
- U.S. customs entry, duty, and destination handling
- Domestic transport to your door and state registration
Have KeiScout search Japan for you
Instead of limiting your search to one dealer's inventory, tell KeiScout exactly what you want.
- Requirement review and import-eligibility confirmation
- Targeted search of appropriate U.S. and Japanese sources
- Candidate options with preliminary vehicle information
- Estimated landed-cost guidance for your scenario
- Relevant state-law resources for your destination
The vehicle purchase price, Japan-side fees, ocean shipping, U.S. customs and duties, state taxes, and domestic transportation are separate third-party costs and are not included in the $99 search fee.
Estimate your total landed cost
Purchase price is only part of the picture. Use the interactive calculator to model shipping, customs, duties, taxes, and domestic transport for your scenario.
Why buyers use KeiScout
Transparent sourcing
A clear, buyer-side process — we tell you what we're doing at each step.
No fake inventory
We never post padded stock counts, invented listings, or placeholder prices.
Official law resources
We point you to verified state-law research before you buy.
Vehicle-specific checks
Import eligibility and configuration are verified per vehicle, not assumed.
Clear fees
The $99 search fee is separate from third-party purchase, shipping, and import costs.
Buyer-side requirements
We work for the buyer — helping you avoid vehicles you can't register.
Get Kei buying alerts
Tell us what you're after and we'll email you sourcing updates, market notes, and new arrivals. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to import a Kei truck from Japan?
Yes, once the specific vehicle meets the federal 25-year rule based on its actual manufacture date. Registering it for road use is then a separate, state-by-state question.
Can I buy from a Japanese auction myself?
Many buyers use an exporter or sourcing service because Japanese auctions aren't directly accessible to overseas individuals and require bilingual coordination. KeiScout searches appropriate sources on your behalf.
Get the widest selection — sourced for you
Tell KeiScout exactly what you want and we'll search Japanese sources, verify eligibility, and guide you through landed cost.
Search Japanese sources — $99