Question 1

Are there any hidden costs?

Accepted Answer

The listed price covers the car and ocean freight from Japan. Customs duty and the two federal fees are paid in the United States when the vehicle arrives and are quoted separately. Your state then charges its own sales or use tax, title and registration fees, and your customs broker charges a commercial fee for the entry, the bond and port handling.

Question 2

Can I register a right-hand-drive car in my state?

Accepted Answer

Right-hand drive is legal at the federal level and no state refuses a car for that reason alone. Registration is run by each state on the customs entry documents and a certified translation of the Export Certificate. Georgia is the exception: it does not title a vehicle without a 17-character VIN, which Japanese-market cars do not carry.

Question 3

Does the car need to be inspected in Japan before it ships?

Accepted Answer

No. The United States does not require an inspection in Japan, and a car that is 25 years old or more is not inspected by DOT or EPA when it arrives. Customs checks the documents, and your state may run a VIN verification when you register it.

Question 4

How are vehicles shipped from Japan to the United States?

Accepted Answer

Vehicles are driven on and off the ship — RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) — and unloaded at Los Angeles/Long Beach, Tacoma, Houston, Jacksonville or Baltimore. Choose the port closest to you; the West Coast is the shortest crossing.

Question 5

How do I check the vehicle condition?

Accepted Answer

Every listing carries photographs, the auction sheet and grade, the Carbarn inspection comments and the full inspection report, so you can check the condition before you buy.

Question 6

How is customs duty calculated in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Duty is 12.5% of the price paid for a passenger car, SUV or passenger van, worked out on the vehicle price without ocean freight. Two small federal fees are added: the Merchandise Processing Fee of 0.3464% and the Harbor Maintenance Fee of 0.125%. There is no federal VAT or sales tax. Light trucks and pickups carry 25% duty.

Question 7

How long does it take for the vehicle to arrive?

Accepted Answer

Sailing from Japan takes 14-45 days, depending on the port and the ship schedule. West Coast ports are the quickest, East Coast ports the longest.

Question 8

What documents do I get with the car?

Accepted Answer

Carbarn supplies the original Export Certificate, the invoice showing the chassis number and price, the bill of lading and the condition report. Your customs broker files the HS-7 declaration, the EPA form and the entry summary with those documents.

Question 9

What is the age restriction on imported cars in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The United States sets a minimum age rather than a maximum: a car must be at least 25 years old when it enters the country, counted from the month and year it was built. Anything younger cannot be imported for road use. There is no upper age limit.

Question 10

Which port does my vehicle arrive at?

Accepted Answer

Vehicles arrive at Los Angeles/Long Beach, Tacoma, Houston, Jacksonville or Baltimore, whichever you choose when you confirm the quote.

Subaru Cars Import to United States

More Subaru options from Japan auctions

Car FAQs