Kei Truck Title and Registration: What to Check

A kei truck is a safe buy only when the import papers are complete and your state will title and register it for the roads you plan to drive, because kei trucks are legal to import once they are 25 years old but state road-use rules vary a lot. The Wikipedia kei truck page notes that several states allow them on local roads, others have special laws, and some ban road use entirely. The federal side is set by the NHTSA importing a vehicle page and the EPA vehicle import page.

The import papers

Ask for the customs entry (CBP Form 7501), the HS-7 declaration from NHTSA, the EPA import form and the Japanese export certificate, with a translation if you can get one. The chassis number on those papers must match the number stamped on the frame. Our 25-year import checklist walks through each one.

State road-use rules

Before you buy, call or check your DMV. Ask whether it issues a standard title, an off-road title or none, whether the truck can use public roads and which ones, and whether it needs a safety or emissions inspection. Rules change, so ask about the current one, not what a seller says.

First U.S. title

A kei truck that has never been titled in the U.S. needs a first title. The DMV usually wants the import papers, a bill of sale, a VIN or chassis inspection and proof of identity. If the seller already has a U.S. title, check that it matches the chassis number. Our grey-market title guide covers how states treat imports.

History reports on a kei truck

U.S. history reports start when the truck enters the U.S. records, so they are thin. They still help with title brands, transfers and odometer readings recorded here. Our imported car history guide explains why. Read Japanese mileage in kilometers, not miles.

Condition checks

Look for frame rust, a rusty bed floor and coolant leaks. Test four-wheel drive and the low range. Check the tire date codes. Our right-hand drive guide covers insurance and daily-use questions.

Insurance and plates

Call your insurer with the chassis number before you pay. Some insurers will only write a kei truck as a farm or off-road vehicle, and some will not write it at all. Ask whether a standard auto policy is available in your state and what it covers after a loss. If your DMV gives only an off-road plate or permit, plan around that.

Questions to ask the seller

• When was it imported, and by whom?
• Do you have the 7501, HS-7, EPA form and export certificate?
• Has it been titled in this state, and what kind of title?
• Is the odometer in kilometers, and does it match the export paper?
• What rust repair was done?

Reading the history report

Read the title section first: any salvage, rebuilt, flood or lemon brand changes the value more than anything else. Then line up the odometer readings by date and look for gaps or drops. Check the number of owners and the states where the car was registered. An approved NMVTIS check adds insurer and salvage-yard records. Our odometer discrepancy guide explains odd mileage entries.

Paperwork to keep

Keep the buyer's order, the retail installment contract, the odometer statement, any Buyers Guide, warranty or service-contract papers and every payoff or lien letter in one folder. Photograph the window sticker and the dash mileage on the day you sign. If a dispute comes up later, dated paperwork is what a lender, an insurer, a dealer licensing agency or a court will ask for first.

Compare the financing

Get a preapproval from a bank or credit union before you visit, so you can compare it with the dealer offer on the same term. Compare the APR, the amount financed and the total interest, not just the monthly payment. The CFPB auto loan tools walk through what to read on an offer. Decide on add-ons such as GAP and service contracts on their own merits, and get the price of each one in writing.

What the report costs

As of early November 2026 a CARFAX bought direct usually costs around $44.99, and AutoCheck sits a little lower. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Our guest price has been about $5.50 a report, about $4.50 for members, and about $6.75 for a CARFAX and AutoCheck bundle. Confirm the price at checkout, since it can change.

Sources

• NHTSA: Importing a vehicle
• EPA: Importing vehicles and engines
• Kei truck, Wikipedia
• NMVTIS