Kei Truck Import Duty & the Chicken Tax
The single most important duty for Kei truck buyers is the 25% tariff on imported trucks — widely known as the "chicken tax." It can meaningfully change your landed cost, so it's worth understanding before you buy.
What the chicken tax is
The "chicken tax" is a long-standing 25% U.S. import duty on certain trucks. For Kei trucks imported from Japan, this tariff can apply depending on how the vehicle is classified at the point of import, and it's a large enough figure to plan for deliberately.
Because classification and applicability can be nuanced, treat the 25% as a cost to budget for and verify for your specific import, rather than assuming it won't apply.
How duty fits into landed cost
- The 25% truck duty, where it applies, is calculated on the vehicle's declared value
- It's separate from state sales tax, which your state charges at registration
- Customs broker and entry fees are additional to the duty itself
- Passenger-classified vehicles historically face a different (lower) duty rate — classification matters
Model duty in your estimate
The calculator lets you include the duty so your landed-cost total is realistic.
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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.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I always pay the 25% chicken tax on a Kei truck?
Not necessarily — it depends on how the specific vehicle is classified at import. Because it's a large potential cost, the safe approach is to budget for it and confirm applicability for your import.
Is import duty the same as state sales tax?
No. Import duty is a federal charge assessed at import; state sales tax is charged by your state when you register the vehicle. Both may apply and should both be in your estimate.
Budget for duty up front
Include the 25% duty in your estimate so it's never a surprise at the port.
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