How to Import a Toyota Hilux to the United States

The Toyota Hilux is one of the most popular pickup trucks in the world — sold in over 180 countries, praised for its durability, and legendary in off-road circles. But if you're based in the U.S., you've probably noticed something: Toyota doesn't sell the Hilux here. That makes importing one more complicated than buying a foreign-market car that was at least designed with U.S. regulations in mind.

Here's how the import process generally works, what rules apply, and why the outcome varies significantly depending on the vehicle's age and your situation.

Why the Hilux Isn't Sold in the U.S.

Toyota stopped selling the Hilux in the American market in 1995. Since then, the truck has continued to be manufactured and sold globally — but never officially brought back to the U.S. The reasons are partly market-driven (Toyota sells the Tacoma here instead) and partly regulatory.

That regulatory piece is where importing gets complicated.

The 25-Year Rule: The Most Important Factor 🛻

Federal law — specifically the Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act — generally prohibits importing vehicles that don't comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). For most foreign-market vehicles, that's a hard wall.

The major exception is the 25-year exemption. Vehicles that are at least 25 years old are exempt from FMVSS compliance requirements and can be imported for road use as-is, provided they also meet EPA emissions rules (or qualify for an exemption there too).

This is the primary legal pathway most private importers use for Hilux trucks:

• A 1998 or older Hilux (as of 2023) would generally qualify under the 25-year rule
• The cutoff year advances each calendar year — so more model years become eligible over time
• Newer Hilux trucks do not qualify under this exemption and cannot be legally imported for on-road use through standard private channels

The EPA's 25-year rule runs parallel to NHTSA's and similarly exempts older vehicles from modern emissions compliance requirements, though the exact criteria and documentation required differ.

What Happens With Newer Hilux Models

If you want a Hilux built after the 25-year cutoff, your options narrow considerably:

• Show or display exemption: Vehicles of historical or technological significance may qualify, but approval is rare, requires a petition to NHTSA, and use is restricted
• Registered importer (RI) modification: A federally registered importer can theoretically modify a newer foreign-market vehicle to meet FMVSS standards — but the cost of compliance modifications often exceeds the value of the vehicle itself
• Off-road/non-road use only: Some buyers import newer trucks for use strictly on private land, racetracks, or farms — not public roads. This avoids FMVSS requirements but limits where the vehicle can legally be driven

None of these are straightforward, and none of them result in a truck you can simply register and drive on public roads without significant legal and financial complexity.

The Import Process for a 25-Year-Old Hilux

For an eligible Hilux, the general import process looks like this:

Working with a licensed customs broker or registered importer familiar with vehicle imports is common — the paperwork is detailed and errors can cause significant delays or rejections at the port.

Costs Vary Widely

There's no single price for importing a Hilux. Costs depend on:

• Purchase price of the vehicle (varies by year, trim, condition, and source country)
• Shipping costs (ocean freight from Japan or Australia runs into the thousands of dollars)
• Import duties — currently 2.5% for passenger vehicles under U.S. tariff schedules, though pickup trucks face a different rate (the "chicken tax" at 25% applies to light trucks — this is a significant cost factor for the Hilux specifically)
• Broker and compliance fees
• State registration fees, which vary by state

The chicken tax is a major consideration. Because the Hilux is classified as a light-duty pickup truck, it typically falls under the 25% import duty — not the standard 2.5% passenger vehicle rate. That dramatically affects the landed cost.

State Registration After Federal Clearance 📋

Clearing federal customs is only part of the process. You still need to register the vehicle in your state. States vary in how they handle foreign-market imports:

• Some states have straightforward processes for 25-year-exempt vehicles
• Others require inspections, VIN verification, or additional documentation
• Titling a vehicle with a foreign-market VIN format can require extra steps at the DMV

Your state's DMV is the right place to confirm what documentation they'll need and what inspections apply.

What Shapes the Outcome for Each Buyer

Whether importing a Hilux makes practical sense — and how the process plays out — depends on:

• The model year you're targeting and whether it clears the 25-year threshold
• Your state's registration and inspection requirements for imported vehicles
• How you intend to use it (daily driver, off-road only, collector vehicle)
• Your budget for purchase, shipping, duties, and any mechanical work
• Parts availability in your region — Hilux parts are not stocked at most U.S. auto parts retailers

A Hilux that's eligible and properly imported can be titled and registered like any other vehicle. But the path from "interested" to "legally on the road" involves federal customs rules, EPA and DOT declarations, import duties, and state-level registration — each with its own requirements that depend on your specific circumstances.