I’d like to share the story of the first time I imported a car from Japan to the United States on my own.
Back in 2016, I was living in North Carolina. Around that time, I learned about a rule that allows cars over 25 years old to be imported into the U.S. without modification—whether they are right-hand drive or have speedometers in kilometers.
I remember being genuinely surprised. At the same time, I thought, “If that’s possible, I want to try it myself.” That’s what led me to start looking for a car in Japan.
Getting Started with Almost No Knowledge
At the time, I knew very little about how the import process worked. As I researched, I found a used car dealer in Nagoya that could handle both the sale and export.
The car I chose was a Honda Beat.
I didn’t fully understand how registration in the U.S. would work, but I decided to move forward and figure things out along the way.
With the dealer’s guidance, I prepared the necessary documents, and the car was shipped via a RORO vessel. It crossed the Pacific Ocean, passed through the Suez Canal, and arrived at the port of Savannah on the East Coast.
The Hardest Part Came After Arrival
The most challenging part began after the car arrived in the U.S.
Customs clearance, document verification, and arranging inland transportation all turned out to be more involved than I expected. There were moments when things didn’t go as planned.
In the end, I worked with a local company to complete the import process and transport the car to my home in North Carolina.
Looking back, I’m not sure I would have made it through without simply pushing forward.
What I Learned from the Experience
Importing a car taught me that the process involves far more than just finding the right vehicle.
From sourcing the car and preparing documents to shipping and handling the process in the U.S., everything is connected. If one step slows down, the entire process can stall.
At the same time, seeing a car I chose in Japan finally arrive at my doorstep was incredibly rewarding.
The Honda Beat as My First Car
The Honda Beat became more than just a car to me.
It represented the entire journey—from discovering the opportunity to navigating the process and finally seeing it arrive. A car built in Japan, now driving on American roads, felt uniquely special.
My first import was full of uncertainty, and I had to figure things out step by step. Because of that, it became a meaningful experience.
If you’ve ever considered importing a car from Japan, I hope this gives you a glimpse of what that journey can look like.
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