The US guide to Kei Trucks
State laws, the 25-year import rule, real costs and model-by-model guides for Japanese mini trucks. Written by the Kei Truck parts people at Oiwa Garage.
A Kei Truck is a small Japanese pickup built to Japan's kei (light vehicle) rules: a 660cc engine, a body about 11 feet long and under 5 feet wide, and a rated load of 350 kg (about 770 lb). The common ones are the Honda Acty, Subaru Sambar, Daihatsu Hijet, Suzuki Carry and Mitsubishi Minicab. Read the full explainer.
Are Kei Trucks street legal in your state?
Federal law lets them in at 25 years old. Your state decides if you can drive one. Here's where every state stands as of October 2026.
From Japan to your driveway
Five steps. Do them in order and you skip the expensive mistakes.
Check your state
Find out if you can title, plate and drive one where you live, and on which roads.
Start here →Pick the right truck
Acty, Sambar, Hijet, Carry or Minicab. Each one has strengths and weak spots.
Start here →Confirm it's 25 years old
The build month decides when a truck can enter the US. Check before you pay.
Start here →Import it or buy here
Do the paperwork yourself or buy one that's already titled. Know what papers to ask for.
Start here →Keep it running
Service intervals, common problems and the parts that wear first.
Start here →The Kei Trucks Americans buy
Five makers, one set of rules. Here's how they differ and what to check on each.
Honda Acty
Engine under the bed, smooth ride, deep parts supply.
Subaru Sambar
Rear engine, four-wheel independent suspension, supercharged versions.
Daihatsu Hijet
Simple, tough and still built in Japan today.
Suzuki Carry
Light, nimble and backed by a big aftermarket.
Mitsubishi Minicab
Round headlights and a long production run.
Kei Vans
The same platforms with a roof, seats and sliding doors.
Is it old enough to import?
A Kei Truck can enter the US once it is 25 years old, counted from the month it was built. Pick the build date to see when yours qualifies.
Is my Kei Truck old enough to import?
Use the manufacture date, not the model year or the first-registration date. If you only know the month, count from the end of that month.
What does a Kei Truck really cost?
The auction price is only the start. Export fees, shipping, duty, broker fees, transport and registration add up fast.
- Duty and federal fees figured from the truck price
- Shipping, broker and port costs with editable estimates
- Sales tax, plates and first-service parts included
Find parts for your truck
Pick your model and chassis code. We'll send you to the right Oiwa Garage collection.
Kei Truck questions, answered
Are Kei Trucks street legal in the US?
Federally, yes, once the truck is at least 25 years old. Road use is decided by each state. Some register Kei Trucks like any other vehicle, many allow them with limits such as lower-speed roads or no interstates, and a few refuse road use. Check the state-by-state guide before you buy. Read more
Why do Kei Trucks have to be 25 years old to import?
Kei Trucks were never built to US safety standards. Federal law lets any vehicle at least 25 years old, counted from its month of manufacture, enter the US without meeting those standards. Newer Kei Trucks can only come in under narrow off-road programs and can never be registered for the road. Read more
How fast can a Kei Truck go?
Most are comfortable at 45 to 55 mph on flat ground. Top speed depends on the engine, gearing, tire size and load, and a loaded truck on a long grade will be slower. Many states also limit which roads you can use, so the legal speed often matters more than the truck. Read more
How much does a Kei Truck cost?
It depends on age, condition and how you buy. A truck bought in Japan has auction, export, shipping, duty, broker and registration costs on top of the price. Use the landed cost calculator to price your own truck with today's exchange rate. Read more
Which Kei Truck is best?
There's no single winner. The Honda Acty rides well and has strong parts support, the Subaru Sambar has four-wheel independent suspension, the Daihatsu Hijet and Suzuki Carry are simple and tough, and the Mitsubishi Minicab is often a good value. Pick the one that fits your work and your parts access. Read more
Where can I buy Kei Truck parts in the US?
Oiwa Garage, the publisher of this site, sells parts for the Honda Acty, Subaru Sambar, Daihatsu Hijet, Suzuki Carry and Mitsubishi Minicab, organized by chassis code. Use the parts finder on this page to jump to your truck.
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Oiwa Garage will email you its maintenance guide, then the occasional heads-up on Kei Truck laws and parts.
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