How to Import a Japanese Kei Truck (Mini Truck) to Canada

$6,000-$10,000 cleared customs price CAD to Vancouver for most. A basic, well-used 4wd unit might get as low as $5,000, or even a 2wd unit in the $4,000’s, but very few look for those.

Costs depend on where you live. Cross-Canada shipping could be up to $2,400, and while GST is included in the cleared customs price, PST varies by province. Then any costs by your mechanic to inspect and safety the kei truck.

$1490 above cleared-customs price to get it to Winnipeg, Manitoba
$800 above cleared customs price to Edmonton
$800 above cleared customs price to Calgary
$490 above cleared customs price to Kelowna
$1390 to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
$1390 to Regina Saskatchewan
$2390 to Montreal, Quebec
$450above cleared customs price to Victoria or Nanaimo, British Columbia
$2100 above cleared customs price to Toronto
$2290 above cleared customs price to Halifax
Ask us for a quote to your door, we can ship anywhere.

Daytime running lights are needed, and tires with DOT certification. Headlights often need proper certification, or modified with something like a projector headlight retrofit. Then normal wear and tear items like brake pads, rotors, bulbs, bushings, etc.

Kei trucks are unique to Japan, but they are mass-produced. Sometimes parts are available in North America, either through large chains, or through kei-truck specific outfits. Ordering parts right from Japan isn’t a hassle and pretty much anything you need is just a couple days away.

If you have purchased a unit through us, we can try and help if you have an issue, and get parts at-cost when possible.

Yes, they are highway capable. Most can get up to about 100km/h, but that will depend on the cargo and incline. At that top end, the engine will be maxed out and fuel economy will suffer. It is possible to have them on the highway, but the size and engine are in their prime in the city or out in the fields.

Yes. Canada’s 15-year import rule means kei trucks that are 15-years old or older (to the month of manufacture) are legal to come across the border and to own. Processes to register and insure vary by provinces, but it is possible for every province.

Many people use them as a hybrid on/off road rig. Some people use them in place of a side by side for off road use, some people use them on road as a unique, fuel efficient commuter.

Yes, they need insurance just like any other vehicle for road use. If your planned use is for your farm, retirement community, or municipal workspace, off-road rules may vary. If they are 20+ years old, Hagerty Insurance could be found relatively inexpensively.

After purchase, it takes about 8-12 weeks to arrive.

They can carry basically half their weight in the back. They can fit a quad in the back, or tons of cargo/materials. Around 770lbs on avg. That’s wild considering that rivals some larger pickup trucks (which in some cases have smaller beds).

Almost all are white! Sometimes they are grey or blue, or red ones if they are ex-fire trucks. And yes, we can import those too!

The tires are either 12- or 13-inch depending on the model. We can help you source tires for your kei truck or mini truck if you need them.

“Kei” (軽) in Kei truck comes from the Japanese word keijidōsha (軽自動車), which literally means “light automobile”. Japan created this category after WWII to encourage affordable, efficient vehicles for narrow city streets and rural areas. Kei cars and trucks have special tax breaks and lower insurance costs in Japan. So when you hear “kei truck,” it’s shorthand for a mini pickup built to fit Japan’s kei class standards — small outside, but surprisingly practical.

Engine size limit: 660 cc (0.66L) maximum

Power limit: ~64 hp (set by Japanese regulations)

Size limits: About 11.2 ft long × 4.9 ft wide × 6.6 ft tall