The short version
25 years from month of manufacture
Vehicles at least 25 years old are exempt from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which is what makes right-hand-drive kei trucks importable without modification.
The age test is by month, not year
A truck built in March 2001 becomes eligible in March 2026 — not on 1 January. Build month appears on the Japanese documentation and is worth confirming near the boundary.
Two separate exemptions
DOT/NHTSA exempts vehicles 25 years old from FMVSS. EPA separately exempts original-engine vehicles at 21 years. Both are claimed at entry.
Forms filed at entry
DOT form HS-7 and EPA form 3520-1, alongside the Japanese export certificate with translation, the bill of lading and the invoice.
Federal import is not road registration
Clearing customs means the vehicle may enter the country. Whether it can be titled and driven on public roads is decided by your state.
State positions differ and have changed
Some states register imported kei trucks like any used import. Others restrict them to farm or off-road use, or to roads under a posted speed limit. Several states have revised their stance in recent years. Check with your own DMV before buying.
Who decides
NHTSA, U.S. EPA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection; your state DMV for registration.
This page is a plain-language summary for orientation. It is not legal or customs advice, and it can go out of date. The authorities named above are the only reliable source for your own situation.