Subaru Sambar KS3 — US Import Eligibility

Displacement

0.66 L (658 cc)

Configuration

Inline-4, SOHC, 16-valve — four cylinders, which is unique among major kei truck engines

Power / Torque

40–46 hp (naturally aspirated) / 55–58 hp (supercharged EN07Y) · 58 Nm / 43 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm (NA) — 74 Nm / 55 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm (supercharged)

Timing

Timing BELT — replacement required at regular intervals. OEM belt part number 13160KA140 (TT1/TT2). This is an interference engine: belt failure means piston-to-valve contact and likely catastrophic engine damage. A common owner myth holds that the EN07 is non-interference — this is incorrect. Always replace belt + water pump as a kit on schedule, and replace immediately on any used Sambar with unknown service history.

Eligibility

Eligible now

Earliest examples are eligible to import to the USA now (from March 2015).

Right-hand drive (RHD)

AllowedNo federal ban on right-hand-drive vehicles. Most states allow RHD registration with no extra requirements. Confirm with your state DMV as a small number have local rules.

Taxes

Most kei trucks are classified as cargo trucks and attract the 25% "chicken tax" import duty on declared value; the 2.5% passenger-vehicle rate applies only if the vehicle is legitimately classified as such — a customs broker's determination, not a buyer's choice. There is no federal VAT or federal sales tax at the border. State sales/use tax and title & registration fees are charged at registration and vary by state. The 25-year rule exempts safety and emissions compliance but does NOT waive the import duty. Budget ocean freight, port-to-door transport, and the customs broker fee separately.

Registration authority

NHTSA and EPA handle federal import compliance. Individual state DMV handles title and registration.

Information for guidance only — verify with official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-08.