"How much does it cost to import a JDM car?" is the question every buyer asks after they have found the car they want. The honest answer is that the sticker price is only part of it — here is every cost that goes into the landed total, and where each one comes from.
The car price
The biggest number, and the one that already includes our margin. When you buy from Importify there is no separate US-side service or brokerage fee added on top — the price you see on the listing is the price of the car, delivered to freight.
Ocean freight
Shipping from New Zealand to a US port. The exact figure depends on your port and the method — RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) is the cost-effective standard; container costs more but protects high-value cars. Rather than quote a flat number here, we keep it live: our import cost calculator shows an indicative freight figure to Long Beach, Baltimore, Houston, Brunswick, Tacoma and other ports, in your local currency.
US import duty & tariff — 2.5% + 10%
US import charges on a passenger vehicle are currently 2.5% import duty plus a 10% tariff, both calculated on the car's price and collected by your customs broker at the port of entry. On a US$30,000 car that's US$750 duty plus US$3,000 tariff — about US$3,750. The 10% tariff is current US policy and can change, so we confirm the live rate before you commit. The 25-year rule waives safety compliance, not these charges — see the 25-year rule explained.
Customs broker
A licensed US customs broker files your import forms (NHTSA HS-7, EPA 3520-1), pays the duty and tariff, and clears the car. You can arrange a broker yourself or our agents can help you find one; the fee varies by broker. We supply every document they need.
Onward transport and registration
From the port you either collect the car yourself (cheapest) or have it transported to your door. Then you title and register it in your state, where registration fees and sales or use tax apply — these vary by state (for example, Florida charges state sales tax plus county surtax at registration). Our state import guides cover the local detail.
Putting it together
So the landed cost is: car price + ocean freight + US import charges (duty + tariff) + customs broker + onward transport + state registration and tax. There is no Importify fee hidden in that list. The two numbers that move most are the car and the freight — and you can pin both down right now: browse the live inventory and run the calculator for your port. For the full process, see how to import a JDM car to the USA.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to import a JDM car to the USA?
The landed cost is the car price plus ocean freight, US import charges (currently 2.5% duty plus a 10% tariff on the car's price — a rate that can change, confirmed with your broker), a customs broker fee, onward transport from the port, and your state's registration fees and sales or use tax. Importify does not add a separate US-side service fee — our margin is in the car price. Run your exact freight and taxes in our import cost calculator for a real number.
How much are the US import charges on a JDM car?
Currently 2.5% import duty plus a 10% tariff, both charged on the car's price and collected by your customs broker at the port of entry. On a US$30,000 car that is US$750 duty plus US$3,000 tariff — about US$3,750. The 10% tariff is current US policy and can change, so we confirm the live rate. The 25-year rule waives safety compliance, not these charges.
Is it cheaper to import from New Zealand than from Japan?
Often, yes — and not only on price. New Zealand cars are right-hand drive with English documentation, can be inspected before purchase, and ship on shorter Pacific routes. You avoid Japanese auction fees and the risk of buying sight-unseen from a grade sheet.
Are there any hidden Importify fees?
No. Importify does not charge a separate US brokerage or service fee — our margin is in the car price, and we can break down what a figure covers on request. The only other costs are third-party: US import charges (duty and tariff), your customs broker, US onward transport, and state registration and taxes.
