Subaru Sambar TT2 — US Import Eligibility
Kei Truck · Produced February 1999 – September 2012
Eligible to import now
Earliest examples are eligible to import to the USA now (from February 2024).
Newest importable build (today): approximately June 2001
Editor's note: PARTIALLY ELIGIBLE. Feb 1999–Feb 2001 builds are eligible now under the 25-year rule. Remaining production eligible progressively through 2037.
Calculated automatically from the 25-year rule (month of manufacture + 25 years), recalculated on every site rebuild.
Specifications
| Make / Model | Subaru Sambar |
|---|---|
| Chassis code | TT2 |
| Body type | Kei Truck |
| Production years | February 1999 – September 2012 |
| Payload | 350kg |
| Engine | EN07 0.66L petrol, 40–46 hp NA / 55–58 hp supercharged (EN07Y), inline-4, timing belt |
| Drivetrains | 4WD |
| Transmissions | 5MT, 4AT |
| Notable grades | STD 4WD — base naturally aspirated grade, VB 4WD — supercharged (EN07Y) variant, TODO-VERIFY: confirm full grade lineup across the TT2 production run |
Overview
The Subaru Sambar TT2 is the 4WD sixth-generation Sambar truck, built from 1999 to 2012. Same EN07 powertrain as the TT1, with part-time 4WD. The supercharged EN07Y 4WD combination is the most sought-after Sambar spec — four-cylinder power, factory boost, and off-road capability. Rear-engine layout gives excellent traction. Earlier TT2 examples are eligible for US import now. TODO-VERIFY: confirm grade details.
Engine
Subaru EN07
- 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.
Drivetrain
Across its trims, the Subaru Sambar TT2 is offered with the drivetrain systems below. Availability is trim-dependent — tap any one for a plain-language explainer of how it works and when to use it.
Note: TT2 is the 4WD sixth-generation Sambar truck. 2WD is TT1.
Transmission
The Subaru Sambar TT2 is available with the transmission types below. Tap any one for a full guide including maintenance schedule and common issues.
Manual or automatic?
The manual gives you maximum power from the 660cc engine and is the only way to access diff-lock and low-range trims. The automatic trades some power for convenience. See manual vs automatic for which one you should choose.
Importing to the USA
The card below pulls the Subaru Sambar TT2's production dates and the USA's import rules into a single at-a-glance verdict — the same data that powers the eligibility banner above and the USA country guide.
SubaruSambarTT2 → United States
- Eligibility
- Eligible now
Earliest examples are eligible to import to the USA now (from February 2024).
- 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.
Related Resources
Subaru Sambar TT1/TT2: The Complete Buyer's Guide
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