Akiko Heidenreich
Co-Owner
Showgun Imports,
Buyers Guide
What We have to Offer,
Our Listings
All of our listings are obtained from licensed and regulated auto dealers across Japan.
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 you have an interest in for a fee.
Dealer Warranty
A short-term dealer warranty is valid only while the vehicle is located in Japan.
Post-Sale Inspections
Can be done at the port with any recommended minor repairs optional before shipment.
[ From Japan To Your Door ]
The Whole Process,
1# Payment
1st a purchase agreement is signed, with your initial invoice being the listed price & shipping cost. Importing & door delivery costs will be billed throughout the process. Financing is available through Lightstream.
2 # Exporting Included
The cost of a export brooker & exporting your selected vehicle is included in its listed price.
3 # Shipping Included
RORO ships with GPS and insurance. Estimated shipping costs are displayed on our listings.
4 # Importing Included
A customs broker & all import costs are included, with an estimated cost shown on our listings.
5 # Titling Paperwork Included
We provide all required documents for titling & registering an imported vehicle under federal law.
6 # Door Delivery Included
An estimated door delivery cost is provided. Port Pickup is optional, using a trailer or a towing dolly.
7 # Delivery Timeframe
Average port arrival times: 10 weeks to the Pacific coast & 12 weeks to the Atlantic & Gulf coasts.
[ FAQ ]
Frequently Asked Questions
Dose Shogun Imports take car of everything?
Our associates and we 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 majority of the quoted price you received via email reflects a flat rate. The import fees, 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 and recently established tariffs.
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. It is also exempt from any new tariffs implemented by Trump so far.
How long dose door delivery take?
Average arrival times at ports are 10 weeks for the Pacific Coast and 12 weeks for the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.
Shipping delays typically occur because major manufacturers in Japan receive priority for all ships.
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 all paperwork and certificates for U.S. titling and registration?
You will receive all paperwork and certificates for titling and registration, including the Japanese export certificate, the bill of sale, invoice, U.S. Customs Form 7501, and 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 customer's 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.
