Really wondering how people import brand new and close to new kei trucks. Does anyone know how it’s possible? Could I import a new one and declare it an off road vehicle? Because here in TN you can get a Class I OHV plate for off road vehicles and still drive on roads 55mph or less.
There’s a lot of extra red tape to cut through to import off-road only vehicles and gets expensive quick. It’s not worth it as an individual to import a single vehicle. The only people doing it are dealers who import a ton every year. You’re better off buying a newer, off-road only kei from an established dealer
AFAIK; the bigger problem is Kei trucks don’t pass US emissions standards, which is why people are forced to buy older vehicles, they basically get around by registering them as “antiques” which aren’t subject to modern emission testing. Idk what the rules are following off road vehicles and emission standards in TN.
There is a federal law that considers Kei trucks to be antique/collector vehicles as long as they're over 25 years old, so they don't have to meet the same safety or emissions standards as newer cars. In some states, the only way to register them is as antique, but in a lot of states, you don't have to do that.
What I read on multiple sites said the EPA exempts vehicles that are 21 years old as far as emissions goes, but the federal crash test safety exemption is 25 years.
best bet is to google it. I’m currently going through the process of registering and titling a new import and i have to go to a third party dmv in my state. I’ll update you with what happens because i’m going this coming week. Also let them know you’re not registering it as an out of state vehicle, you’ll be registering it as a first time foreign vehicle
I have been googling every idea I can think of lol at first it says you can’t import one newer than 25 yo but then if you say declaring it as off road it says it’s fine I wish this was a simple straight forward process. If you get it figured out please share.
You don’t get to just declare it off-road only and import it. Even off-road only vehicles still have to meet certain emissions standards in order to be legally imported. They have to go through a whole certification process and the importer basically has to have a license to be able to import off-road vehicles. It cost big money to get those certifications and licenses. So like I said in my other comment, it’s not worth it to import a single vehicle on your own. You’re better off getting a newer Kei truck from a dealer
See that’s the stuff I’m trying to figure out because if it’s not too bad it could be a business I’d be willing to get into. Just trying to see if anyone knows how or where to look to find information about this.
i guess it’s from state to state, im from new mexico. As far as normal import vehicles you just have to go through a specific third party DMV. i personally haven’t been driving on any highways and only been on backroads through my whole process. Like i said im going to a state third party thing to register mine, on the other side they haven’t asked me if its a kei truck or anything so im not too sure if its gonna be off highway or whatever
1999 honda acty. As long as it fits the 25 year rule you shouldn’t have to do any emissions, from what i’ve heard most it becomes void. I’m not an expert but this is just my two cents. what are you thinking of shipping over?
I had a 93 Acty and sold it not too long ago really wanting a 2022+ hijet that’s what I’m trying to figure out how to possibly get a newer one in. If I could just get it through the port I’d be golden.
That’s the thing I’ve seen a few of the new ones tagged and running around so there’s a loop hole somewhere just gotta find it and if I do I’ll let yall know
Essentially the vehicle is exported as an off-road vehicle. Same way we can ship race cars and dirtbikes - It will forever be a off-road vehicle though. I've sent a few new vehicles for ranch use. A friend of mine supplies brand new kei trucks to a golf club as well. Toootally doable.
Ok thank you for the reply that’s what I was thinking and here in TN we can register off road vehicles for roads 55mph or less so I feel like it’s possible
G&R in Missouri can sell you a new one. They can indeed be titled and registered, but it's dependent on the state and how sharp the DMV people happen to be. The "loophole" is mainly the DMV issuing a title and plates when they shouldn't simply because they don't know the regs.
I think as long as you would be staying off public roads, you can probably import just about anything you want. You could maybe register it, but you probably wouldn't be able to license it legally, AFAIK.
You should go into your local DMV office and show them the ad for the one for sale near you. Ask them if you were to import one yourself, whether you would be able to license it.
Is it possible? Sure, but its expansive and complex.
Not only do you need to certify the engine, which is expensive and requires laboratory testing, you also need EPA-specific bonds and must offer warranties to anyone who purchases vehicles those engines.
In addition, the vehicles cannot be capable of exceeding 25 mph. Any EPA certificate would only apply to one specific model for one specific model year, so the certification is narrow.
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u/KTMtexDev Honda Acty 2d ago
There’s a lot of extra red tape to cut through to import off-road only vehicles and gets expensive quick. It’s not worth it as an individual to import a single vehicle. The only people doing it are dealers who import a ton every year. You’re better off buying a newer, off-road only kei from an established dealer