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Import JDM Cars & Kei Trucks to Tennessee

JDM Direct sources 25-year-rule-legal Japanese vehicles straight from auctions and dealer stock in Japan and delivers them to Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and everywhere else in Tennessee. One company handles bidding, export paperwork, ocean freight and customs — no broker chain, no surprise fees.

Port of entry

Inland delivery via Savannah, GA or Charleston, SC

Typical timeline

roughly 5–7 weeks of ocean transit, 9–14 weeks total from selection to delivery

Titling authority

Tennessee Department of Revenue, through your county clerk

Eligibility

25 years or older — federally exempt

Why Tennessee buyers import from Japan

Tennessee has one of the fastest-growing kei truck communities in the country — hunting properties, small contractors, and off-road enthusiasts love a 4WD mini truck that costs a fraction of a full-size pickup to buy and run.

Most requested in Tennessee

Kei trucksHonda ActySubaru SambarToyota HiluxMitsubishi Pajero

How a car gets from Japan to Tennessee

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 Inland delivery via Savannah, GA or Charleston, SC

Vehicles clear customs at an Atlantic port and move inland by car carrier to Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville or Chattanooga.

4. Title in Tennessee

You receive the complete customs and export document package needed to title and register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue, through your county clerk.

See the full import process →

Available now — ready to ship to Tennessee

View all inventory

Delivery across Tennessee

We arrange door delivery statewide, including these metros:

  • Nashville, TN
  • Memphis, TN
  • Knoxville, TN
  • Chattanooga, TN
  • Murfreesboro, TN
  • Franklin, TN

Tennessee JDM import FAQ

Can I legally import a JDM car to Tennessee?

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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee Department of Revenue, through your county clerk is straightforward.

Which port do my vehicles arrive at for Tennessee?

Inland delivery via Savannah, GA or Charleston, SC. Vehicles clear customs at an Atlantic port and move inland by car carrier to Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville or Chattanooga.

How long does it take to get a car from Japan to Tennessee?

Plan on roughly 5–7 weeks of ocean transit, 9–14 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 Tennessee?

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 Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?

Yes — kei trucks are one of our highest-volume categories. They are especially popular with Tennessee buyers for farm, ranch, campus, nursery and property-maintenance work. Registration rules for kei trucks vary by state, so we confirm current Tennessee Department of Revenue, through your county clerk requirements with you before you buy.

Ready to import to Tennessee?

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.