Import JDM Cars & Kei Trucks to South Carolina
JDM Direct sources 25-year-rule-legal Japanese vehicles straight from auctions and dealer stock in Japan and delivers them to Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and everywhere else in South Carolina. One company handles bidding, export paperwork, ocean freight and customs — no broker chain, no surprise fees.
Port of entry
Port of Charleston
Typical timeline
roughly 5–7 weeks of ocean transit, 9–13 weeks total from selection to delivery
Titling authority
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV)
Eligibility
25 years or older — federally exempt
Why South Carolina buyers import from Japan
Charleston is one of the cleanest entry points on the Atlantic for imported vehicles, and South Carolina's low-country farms, coastal properties and golf communities are a natural fit for 660cc kei trucks.
Most requested in South Carolina
How a car gets from Japan to South Carolina
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 Charleston
Charleston is a major roll-on/roll-off vehicle gateway with fast inland connections to Columbia and Greenville.
4. Title in South Carolina
You receive the complete customs and export document package needed to title and register with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).
Available now — ready to ship to South Carolina
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 South Carolina
We arrange door delivery statewide, including these metros:
- Charleston, SC
- Columbia, SC
- Greenville, SC
- Myrtle Beach, SC
- Rock Hill, SC
- Spartanburg, SC
South Carolina JDM import FAQ
Can I legally import a JDM car to South Carolina?
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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) is straightforward.
Which port do my vehicles arrive at for South Carolina?
Port of Charleston. Charleston is a major roll-on/roll-off vehicle gateway with fast inland connections to Columbia and Greenville.
How long does it take to get a car from Japan to South Carolina?
Plan on roughly 5–7 weeks of ocean transit, 9–13 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 South Carolina?
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 South Carolina. 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 South Carolina?
Yes — kei trucks are one of our highest-volume categories. They are especially popular with South Carolina buyers for farm, ranch, campus, nursery and property-maintenance work. Registration rules for kei trucks vary by state, so we confirm current South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) requirements with you before you buy.
We also import to
Ready to import to South Carolina?
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.