About JDM Imports 101

JDM Imports 101 is a plain-English guide for beginners who want to import a car from Japan to the United States.

What this site is for

The site exists to answer the questions a first-time importer actually has: whether a car is legal to bring in under the 25-year rule, how the process works from start to finish, what the landed cost is made of, how Japanese car auctions and their condition sheets work, and which US government forms are involved. It is written for people in the United States who are new to importing, not for dealers or experienced importers.

What it covers

• How to import a car from Japan, step by step.
• Japan car auctions, including sheets and grading.
• The 25-year import rule and how eligibility works.
• EPA and DOT import paperwork, including Form 3520-1 and Form HS-7.
• Model guides for eight specific JDM models.

What this site is not

This is an information site, not a dealer or a marketplace. It does not sell cars, does not list cars for sale, and does not give legal, customs or tax advice. Everything here is general information that can change, and you should confirm current requirements with the relevant US agency or a licensed customs broker before you import.

Where to look at cars for sale

When you are ready to look at real vehicles, the site points to JDMBUYSELL, a marketplace for Japanese domestic market cars. The model guides link to the matching JDMBUYSELL listings, so you can move from a question about eligibility or cost straight to cars that are actually for sale.

General information only — not legal, customs, tax or financial advice.