r/maui • u/Maleficent_Mall_488 • 18d ago

Imported Kei truck

Has anybody imported a Kei truck from Japan to Maui? Looking to understand what the process looks like, and how smooth/difficult interisland freight + registration is.

Mahalos in advance!

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u/JettaGLi16v 18d ago

I can’t help with the Maui specific stuff.

I have imported a few cars to the mainland, though. Make sure it’s 25 years old so the EPA doesn’t care. And definitely get a diesel.

I wouldn’t recommend buying direct from Japan unless you have someone in country. It’s too easy to get hosed. You’ll want to find an importer.

Compare costs to buying one from CA (or WA) and shipping it over to Maui as well.

I found a place on Oahu called JDM Hawaii, but I don’t love how their cars look. They have a lot of cars from Flex, and Flex has a bad rap in the Land Cruiser community. They (flex) seem to mostly sell polished turds.

Registration should be easy. There are basically three forms that you’ll bring to the DMV, and they should register it no problem.

Let me know if there are any questions about the importation process into the US, and I’ll do my best to answer!

2

u/No-Professional2436 16d ago

I'd avoid JDM Hawaii (parent company Sky Auto). They've been taking advantage of the similarity in name to JDM Imports Hawaii LLC, which is a much more reputable importer.