Importing after purchase

At this point, you should have purchased your car

Overview

For a quick overview of the entire import process, see the list below:

1. Purchase car
2. Wait for the Bill of Lading
3. Once the Bill of Lading draft is received, send the information to an ISF filer as soon as possible
4. Wait for the shipment notification
5. Once the vehicle is shipped, file a customs clearance
6. Pay the port fee
7. Wait for the landing date
8. After the landing date, confirm the vehicle is ready for pickup by calling the port
9. Pick up the vehicle

For more details on each step, see the sections below:

Forms after purchase

Once your vehicle is loaded onto a vessel, the shipping company will mail you the:

1. Export certificate (Japanese)
2. Export certificate (English)
3. Purchase invoice
4. Bill of Lading (unless it was surrendered)

Export certificate

The export certificate is, in a way, the Japanese title to your vehicle. You will need this to register your vehicle for a title in your state.

Bill of Lading

A bill of lading is a legal document issued by a carrier to the shipper that serves as a receipt for the goods shipped, a contract outlining the terms of transportation, and a document of title evidencing ownership. It details the type, quantity, and destination of the cargo and must accompany the goods during transit to ensure proper delivery and transfer of ownership.

If you received the original bill of lading, you must sign it and send it to the shipping company.

Surrendered Bill of Lading

If your shipping company surrendered your bill of lading, then you do not need to send it to the shipping company. Take a copy of the surrendered bill of lading to the port when picking up your vehicle.

ISF form

The Importer Security Filing (ISF) provides U.S. Customs with advance shipment data to pre-screen cargo for security risks, ensure compliance, and facilitate faster release.

The ISF is supposed to be submitted at least 24 hours before the vessel's loading. However, you can complete it as soon as your seller provides the necessary shipping details, and it’s best to file as early as possible. Since you usually don’t receive the Bill of Lading until after your vehicle is en route, focus on submitting the ISF as soon as that document arrives rather than worrying about the 24-hour rule. If you miss the deadline, you should still submit the filing promptly to minimize the risk of fines and penalties. As long as you file the ISF as soon as you get the required information, you shouldn't receive any penalties.

You’ll need the seller’s invoice and the Bill of Lading to complete your ISF.

Many online companies will file an ISF for you:

• Easy ISF
• Eezy Import
• Turbo ISF

Sample ISF form

After your ISF has been filed, ensure that it is confirmed.

Tracking shipment

The proximity of the destination port to Japan will affect the time it takes to receive the vehicle.

You can track your vessel at Marine Traffic

Customs clearenceclearance

Customs broker

Once your vessel is en route, you should determine if you would like to hire a customs broker or handle customs yourself. Eezyimport lets you clear customs yourself, potentially saving some money, but you will have to handle all the forms promptly. You can also hire a customs broker, which can cost from $300-$600.

Customs codes

It's very important to double-check the codes used by the international freight forwarder and/or customs broker. Ensuring the right codes are crucial for paying the right duty fees.

All Kei vehicles are classified as a passenger vehicle or light truck, which use the following HTS code: 9903.94.04

All Kei vehicles are also exempt from any extra duties (even reciprocal tariffs) with the following HTS code: 9903.01.33

Ensure that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection entry summary has the two above codes as well as the appropriate code below:

Kei trucks

Kei trucks

Kei trucks and cargo vans will have the following HTS code: 8704.31.0120

Kei truck duty: 25%

This ruling can be used as evidence for the code associated with the Kei truck you're importing: Tariff classification of Daihatsu Mini Trucks from Japan

This code covers all Kei trucks, as well as anything resembling a truck, like a Daihatsu deck van or Daihatsu midget 2.

Fire trucks

Fire trucks are classified under the HTS code: 8705.30.0000

Fire truck duty: 0%

Fire trucks can be imported duty-free. However, most firetrucks have no AC and can be more expensive since Kei firetrucks are lower in mileage and well-maintained.

Kei vans

Kei passenger vans and cars

Kei vans and other passenger cars are classified under the HTS code: 8703.21.0150

Passenger van duty: 2.5%

Passenger vans include vans with rear passenger seats. It's not required to have seatbelts when importing the van but most states require that back passengers have seatbelts. You can install seatbelts after importing the vehicle.

To ensure that your van does not get labeled as a cargo van, use the ruling below as evidence for using the lower duty code:

The tariff classification of a Subaru Sambar Dias passenger van from Japan

Cargo vans

Cargo vans are also classified under the HTS code: 8704.31.0120

Cargo van duty: 25%

Cargo vans would include vans with no rear passenger seats. To ensure that your imported van isn't classified as a cargo van, it will need passenger seats in the back. It's not required to have seatbelts at import. See the Kei vans category below for more details.

Picking up the Kei car from the port

Once the vessel has arrived at the port, it can take 2 business days for the port to inspect and clear the vehicle. Call the port to confirm that the car is ready for pickup.

To pick up the car from the port, you will need the Delivery Order. However, you don't have to be the person picking up the car. See Autotransport for more details on another person picking up your car.

Delivery order

The delivery order is needed by the person picking up the vehicle. Below is an example: