Import JDM Cars & Kei Trucks to California
JDM Direct sources 25-year-rule-legal Japanese vehicles straight from auctions and dealer stock in Japan and delivers them to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and everywhere else in California. One company handles bidding, export paperwork, ocean freight and customs — no broker chain, no surprise fees.
Port of entry
Port of Long Beach or the Port of Los Angeles
Typical timeline
roughly 3–5 weeks of ocean transit, 7–11 weeks total from selection to delivery
Titling authority
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Eligibility
25 years or older — federally exempt
Why California buyers import from Japan
California is the shortest ocean route from Japan and the historical heart of JDM car culture in America. California has its own emissions framework, so we confirm the current requirements for a 25-year-old import with you in writing before you commit to a vehicle.
Most requested in California
How a car gets from Japan to California
1. Pick the vehicle
Choose from live inventory or tell us the exact spec you want and we bid for it at Japanese auctions on your behalf.
2. Export from Japan
We deregister the vehicle, obtain the export certificate and English translation, and book it onto the next sailing.
3. Arrival at Long Beach or the Port of Los Angeles
The shortest sailing from Japan of any US route — vehicles discharge in Southern California and are trucked statewide.
4. Title in California
You receive the complete customs and export document package needed to title and register with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Available now — ready to ship to California
1993 MITSUBISHI DELICA STAR WAGON JASPER
MITSUBISHI · 42,621 km
$18,090
2000 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 4
PORSCHE · 127,730 km
$20,200
1999 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA
PORSCHE · 51,677 km
$25,600
2000 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 4 CABRIOLET
PORSCHE · 41,000 km
$32,190
1999 TOYOTA CELICA SS-II SUPER STRUT PACKAGE
TOYOTA · 179,942 km
$12,380
2000 HONDA VAMOS TURBO
HONDA · 160,460 km
$9,195
Delivery across California
We arrange door delivery statewide, including these metros:
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Fresno, CA
California JDM import FAQ
Can I legally import a JDM car to California?
Yes. Any vehicle that is at least 25 years old is exempt from federal FMVSS and EPA conformity requirements, so it can be imported into California like any other used vehicle. We only source vehicles that clear the 25-year rule, and we hand you the full document package — Japanese export certificate with translation, bill of lading, commercial invoice and the customs entry — so titling with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is straightforward.
Which port do my vehicles arrive at for California?
Port of Long Beach or the Port of Los Angeles. The shortest sailing from Japan of any US route — vehicles discharge in Southern California and are trucked statewide.
How long does it take to get a car from Japan to California?
Plan on roughly 3–5 weeks of ocean transit, 7–11 weeks total from selection to delivery. That window covers auction bidding or stock purchase, deregistration and export paperwork in Japan, waiting for the next sailing, ocean transit, customs clearance and final delivery. We send you status updates at every step.
What does it cost to import a JDM car to California?
Every vehicle on our inventory page is listed with its own landed price, and shipping is quoted per vehicle because it depends on the car's size, the sailing and the final delivery address in California. Where a vehicle shows "Quote on request", message us and we will confirm the exact freight figure before you commit to anything.
Do you sell kei trucks in California?
Yes — kei trucks are one of our highest-volume categories. We regularly source Honda Acty, Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet and Subaru Sambar trucks for California buyers. Registration rules for kei trucks vary by state, so we confirm current California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requirements with you before you buy.
Ready to import to California?
Tell us the car you want and your delivery ZIP. We will confirm eligibility, freight and the full landed cost before you commit to anything.