Co-Owner
Buyers Guide
[ From Japan To Your Door ]
The Whole Process,
1 # Exporting Included
Vehicle transportation, storage, port handling, and export services.
2 # Shipping Included
Shipping will be conducted using RORO ships equipped with GPS tracking.
3 # Importing Included
Our customs broker will manage the import process on your behalf for CBP release.
4 # Documentation Included
The commercial invoice, BOL, JP export certificate, & U.S. Customs Form 7501.
5 # Door Delivery Included
Delivery from the U.S. port to your door is provided by our customs broker.
6 # Delivery Timeframe
Average port arrival times: Pacific coast: 12 weeks; Atlantic & Gulf coasts: 14 weeks.
What We Offer,
Our Listings
Our listings come exclusively from licensed and regulated auto dealers across Japan, ensuring quality.
Safety Inspection Sticker
A valid tenken sticker means that, within two years, all safety-related worn parts have been replaced during a Gov inspection (Shaken).
Pre-Sale Inspections
Include additional photos, videos, and a report of the vehicle for a fee.
Post-Sale Inspections
Is provided at the port with any recommended maintenance optional before shipment.
Dealer Warranty
A short-term warranty from a dealership is valid only while the vehicle is located in Japan.
Payment Structure,
Deposit & Purchase Agreement
A signed purchase agreement & a $700 deposit are required before purchasing a vehicle
from a Japanese dealership.
Finalizing Purchase
Fees due after finalizing a purchase from a dealership include: vehicle, export, shipping, import brokerage, & service fees.
U.S. Payments
Fees due upon the vehicle's arrival at the U.S. port include: the vehicle's tariff duty, U.S. port fees, & door delivery fees.
Payment & Financing Options
Accepted payment methods include debit or credit cards, Wise, & bank transfer. Financing options are available through LightStream.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lifespan of Kei vehicles?
Kei vehicles in Japan typically have a lifespan of between 150,000 km (93,205 miles) and 200,000 km (124,274 miles). With proper care and TLC, it is possible to achieve up to 300,000 km (186,411 miles). These statistics are from the average Kei vehicle on Japan's roads today. However, in Japan, strict vehicle inspections often lead people to trade in their vehicles halfway through their lifespan.
Dose Shogun Imports take car of everything?
Our associates and brokers handle all aspects and logistics of delivering a vehicle from Japan to your door. Including exporting, importing, port handling, and auto transport to your door.
Is there a warranty & are the vehicles inspected?
All of our listings come from regulated auto dealers all over Japan. This ensures standards that rely on a quality vehicle.
Many of our Kei trucks come with a short-term warranty valid only while they are in Japan, so we can inspect them once they arrive at the port in Japan.
Many are road-certified, having passed government inspections within the last two years to ensure their quality. During these inspections, all worn parts related to safety are replaced.
In the cities of Tokyo and Osaka, we offer a pre-purchase inspection for a fee. This service includes additional photos, videos, and a report.
Are there any hidden costs?
The import cost, U.S. port charges, and U.S. auto transport costs are estimates and may fluctuate based on changes in the Yen and USD, as well as market conditions.
There may be rare hidden costs to be aware of, such as additional parking fees at the U.S. port, U.S. port decontamination fees, recently established tariffs, fines, or penalties.
It's important to note that all vehicles are cleaned before boarding a ship and the tariff for Kei trucks and vans, known as the "chicken tax," has remained unchanged since its introduction in 1964. 25 year old Kei vehicles have been exempt from all new tariffs included the ones implemented by Trump.
How long dose door delivery take?
Average arrival times at ports are 12 weeks for the Pacific Coast and 14 weeks for the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.
Shipping delays typically happen because major manufacturers in Japan are given priority on all ships or because maintenance is being performed on the vehicle while it is in Japan.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can release a truck within a few hours or within a few weeks, depending on delays and withholdings.
Auto transport from the port has an average pickup time within a week, with delivery time ranging from 1 day to 1 week.
Can I register Kei trucks for street legal use?
Our 25+-year-old Japanese Kei trucks can be registered through in-state vehicle registration in up to 30 states for road use, or registered with Dirt Legal services for street-legal use in up to 45 states.
Visit our Registration and titling guide for more info on your state laws and more. Note that it is the customer's responsibility to know and understand their local laws regarding Kei vehicles.
Will I receive documentation for U.S. titling and registration?
You will receive the export and import documentation for titling and registration, including the Japanese export certificate, the commercial Invoice, and U.S. Customs Form 7501.
It is the clints responsibility to fill out the HS-7 Form.
Additional paperwork from your import broker, emissions and safety inspections, local law enforcement inspections, and standards may apply depending on your county and state.
It is the clints responsibility to understand and know their local laws regarding Kei vehicles.
Note that DMVs are notorious for misinformation. It is often necessary to know what is needed to register and title your new Kei vehicle before going to your local DMV. This is often due to kei vehicles being classified as special vehicles. Many factors can throw off your local DMVs' computer systems, from the Japanese vehicle VIN being shorter than a U.S. VIN to the wrong box being checked.
Where can I get parts, and will auto mechanics work on them?
Many websites offer standard replacement parts, which are small and lightweight. Parts that are needed to ship from Japan are typically delivered by air.
Kei trucks are simply engineered vehicles, many of which offer easy access to their engines for maintenance.
These vehicles are easy to work on, with nothing a competent mechanic would find surprising in the engineering.
