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Lexus

購入ガイド — Buyer's guide

Importing a Lexus from Japan

Many Lexus models began life as Toyotas sold in Japan. The Aristo, Soarer and Celsior are the Japanese-market versions of the GS, SC and LS, often with engines and options the Lexus cars never offered. Lexus itself has been sold in Japan since 2005.

Lexus models worth importing

ModelBuiltWhy buyers want it
Aristo (JZS161)1997–2004The Japanese GS, offered with the twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE the U.S. car never had.
Soarer (JZZ30 / UZZ40)1991–2005The Japanese SC, as a turbo coupe and later as a folding-hardtop convertible.
Celsior1989–2006The Japanese LS, Toyota's flagship V8 sedan.
LFA2010–2012The V10 supercar; around 500 were built.

Is my Lexus legal to import?

Under the U.S. 25-year rule, a car built for another market can be imported once it is 25 years old, counted to the month of manufacture. Every Lexus above shows its build date, and each listing tells you the month it opens. Newer cars can still be bought ahead of time and held until they qualify — see our import guide for the details.

Buying a Lexus through JDM Hunt

  1. Pick a car or send us a brief. Request any car above, or tell us the exact Lexus you want on Find My Car.
  2. We check it in Japan. Translated auction sheet, extra photos and our honest read, before you commit anything.
  3. You set a ceiling. We bid up to your limit and never above it.
  4. We ship and clear it. Export, ocean freight, U.S. customs and delivery — usually 8 to 12 weeks to your door. See how it works.

Lexus import FAQ

Can I import a Lexus from Japan to the USA?

Yes, once the car is 25 years old, counted to the month it was built. Cars that old no longer have to meet U.S. federal safety standards and are past the EPA's 21-year exemption, so they can be imported, titled and registered. Every Lexus on this page shows its build date and the month it becomes legal to import.

How much does it cost to import a Lexus from Japan?

The price of the car, ocean freight from Japan to a U.S. port, and U.S. import duty of 2.5% on passenger cars, plus customs brokerage, port charges and delivery to your address. Each listing shows an estimated landed cost to the port, and our cost estimator prices the rest for your city.

How long does it take to ship a Lexus from Japan?

Usually 8 to 12 weeks from winning the car to your door: export paperwork in Japan, the ocean crossing, U.S. customs clearance and delivery from the port.

How do I know the condition of a Lexus before I buy?

Every Japanese auction car is inspected by a third party and given a grade with a lettered damage map. We translate the full inspection sheet, order extra photos of anything it flags, and give you our honest read before you set a bid ceiling.

What if the Lexus I want isn't listed here?

That is the normal case — most of what we source never appears on this page. Tell us the model, chassis code, trim, colour and budget on our Find My Car page and we will watch the Japanese auctions for it.