Anyone ever imported a kei truck to the US?
Very sorry of this is in the wrong group (or if it doesn't fit on Tildes), feel free to move or remove it if needed!
Anyway, I'm planning to import a kei truck to the US. I think I've got an idea of most of what I need to do. I found Mitsui Co. Ltd. and they seem to have decent review and people say they're helpful, and I've read a bit about finding a customs broker to handle that part of things for me, but the thing I'm specifically wondering about is... what's the process of actually picking up the vehicle? I'd likely import to the Port of Galveston, and it looks like I either need a TWIC card or a TWIC escort. I wouldn't mind getting a TWIC card, but would my girlfriend need one too if she was going to drive me? Would she be able to just drop me off and I like... walk in? If she doesn't get one but I do? Otherwise, if we just go with an escort, does anyone know how much that sort of thing costs? Do I have to pre-plan it or can I just show up on the Port with all the paperwork and stuff I need and they'll have escorts ready that I can pay for?
My wife uses one currently in the vineyard here in New Zealand. The premise is great, but any speed over 40mph is horrible. They have very soft suspension and the wind will be an issue.
Off road however, with atv tyres, they're pretty incredible.
I can give you tons more details, if you're interested. I used to own a 2020 Suzuki Jimny and I got rid of the car because of the inability for it to do long distances. The mini trucks and the kei cars all have small tanks, I only managed 400-450kms per fill of the 40l tank.
edit to add photos of my wife's one.
https://ibb.co/6c40tL6n
https://ibb.co/FLySnnqV
I only get about 220 miles in my main car's 13 (US) gallon tank so 😂
That’s surprising. My 2004 car has a 1.2L 75HP engine with a 50L tank and can go 800km on it. I’d have thought such a small truck would get better fuel efficiency.
Hey so most of them either have 1.0l or 660cc turbo to stay within the kei truck regulations. These motors just don't have enough oomph for US highway travel. My Jimny was essentially a brick trying to push through the air and it even had the larger 1.5l for the NZ market.
I'll be honest, it sounds like it would be awful on Texas highways and being passed by semi trucks at 80mph when you are maxed at 60ish. But if you are planning to use it off-road or purely city driving, it would be okay. They would make a good little hauler for landscape work on a larger property.
About the speed, seriously. I have driven them here in Japan and invariably they are driven around small farming towns and on very narrow, tight roads, topping out at 50-60km/h. You CAN take them on the highways. Is it enjoyable? Not at all.
Would you survive a crash at highway speeds? Very debatable. They are like tinfoil.
Yeah, I'm definitely not planning to take it on the highway, let alone Texas highway, any more than I have to. Where I live I basically have to get on a highway for a few seconds (literally) to go anywhere because I'm basically at an intersection between two highways, but most of my driving is under <50 mph and probably closer to <40 mph. I can definitely avoid them other than that fairly easily.
One more thing, you DEFINITELY want the manual. They typically come with a 4 speed auto slushbox. You will be at 3500rpm or more on the highway which will be loud as heck and inefficient for mileage.
Yeah, I'm going for manual. I'll have to get used to shifting with my left hand and without a tachometer but I definitely didn't want the auto lol
I'm not planning to actually take it on the highway. I think I've settled on trailering it back and I just want to use it around town (some speed limits get up to like 50 but that's about it). Like 90% of why I went it is the novelty tbh but also yes having something I can haul a bit with is nice too, because I have a hatchback and my girlfriend has a sedan.
For town, it'll be loads of fun. See if you can also import some cool JDM wheels for it as the PCD spacing for the hub might be unique.
Hi, I have not, but a while back ARS did a write-up on how to do it. Each port might have different requirements, so you should check to be sure. I have also heard it is easier/cheaper to go collect the vehicle on the west coast if you can.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/04/a-beginners-guide-to-the-world-of-weird-and-wonderful-japanese-import-cars/
Good luck!
Probably but I'm in Texas so Galveston is a ~3 hour drive versus a flight and/or many many hours of driving to the West coast. Thanks :)
Not just many hours of driving, but many hours of driving a tiny, at least 25-year-old, left-hand-drive, barebones microtruck you've never driven before—on US highways. (In your case, Texas highways!)
(I mean, you could rent a trailer, obviously, but where's the
perilterrorfun in that. ;)Lol yeah, trailer is likely what I've settled on
perilterrorfun does sound exciting lolThere are three of them in my smallish suburb of Boston. Dihatsu. Each person sourced differently but all had to go down to NYC to pick up and haul home on a trailer since they cannot do US highway speeds. The bed walls fold down, hauls 350kg, its LHD, cabin is small and does terrible in the snow.
Here in Texas I don't have to worry about the snow at least. Weirdly enough, they're technically legal on highways in Texas despite us having a couple highways with 80mph speed limits and one with 85mph Tees they obviously cannot reach, but yeah I think I'm going to trailer it back.
Aa far as the cabin, yeah, I purposefully went with a 1999 because I read they have about 6" more leg room and im just ging to use it as a fun truck and if I ever need to haul anything around town, so it sounds perfect tbh
Do you need to be in the secure area of the port? Could your broker/importer handle it?
If you need to be there, could you simply be escorted? Have you called the port and asked?
From what I've read, yes I do need to be in the secure area, but yeah looks like I can just use an escort. Possibly the broker can handle it, too, but I'll have to ask for that one. As far as calling the port, I couldn't find a phone number that seemed right so* that's why I made this post at first lol
Just get an escort. TWIC cards are intended for those needing routine access and undergo a background check somewhat similar to lower level security clearances. Someone who just needs to pick up their Kei truck will be at the bottom of the list for processing compared to truck drivers, refinery workers, and port personnel whose hiring companies are yelling at DHS to move faster with approvals.
As for phone numbers, look for an office with Badging, Badge, Credentials, or TWIC in the name.
Yeah, I've settled on the escort. I just saw people mentioning getting TWIC cards when I was doing my initial research but seems like more hassle than it's worth. Maybe if I were importing these regularly lol.
I have one in WA, I chickened out on doing the importing myself and basically paid a company in Seattle who does a lot of them. It's been great for running around town.