How to Import a Toyota Bandeirante to the US (25-Year Rule Explained)

The Toyota Bandeirante — Brazil's diesel-powered Land Cruiser — has become one of the most exciting imports in the classic 4x4 world. Because it was never sold in the United States, every Bandeirante on American roads came here the same way: through the federal 25-year import exemption. Here's exactly how the process works.

The 25-Year Rule in Plain English

US law generally requires imported vehicles to meet modern EPA emissions and DOT safety standards — an impossible bar for a classic truck. But once a vehicle is 25 years old or older (measured from its month of manufacture), it becomes exempt from both. As of 2026, that means any Bandeirante built in or before 2001 — which conveniently covers the entire production run, since Toyota do Brasil ended production in 2001. Every Bandeirante ever made is now import-eligible.

Step 1: Find the Right Truck

This is where most import projects go wrong. Buying a vehicle sight-unseen from another continent invites odometer fraud, hidden rust, and title problems. You need someone physically inspecting the truck: frame, bulkheads, engine numbers, and documentation. At Overland Imports our team in Brazil inspects every candidate before purchase — and rejects most of them.

Step 2: Export from Brazil

The seller's documentation is verified, the truck is purchased, and Brazilian export paperwork is filed. The vehicle then ships in a container to a US port — typically a 3–6 week voyage to the East Coast.

Step 3: US Customs and Compliance Paperwork

At the port, the importer files the EPA Form 3520-1 (citing exemption code "E" for vehicles 21+ years old) and DOT Form HS-7 (Box 1, vehicles 25+ years old), plus customs entry forms. Import duty on cars is typically 2.5% of the declared value. Once cleared, the truck is legally in the country.

Step 4: Title and Registration

With the customs entry package, the truck gets a US title and can be registered in your state like any other vehicle. Some states have quirks with imported classics — an experienced importer will make sure the paperwork stack is right the first time.

What Does It Cost?

Beyond the purchase price in Brazil, budget for inland transport, container shipping, customs duty and brokerage, and stateside transport. Rather than a fixed number — exchange rates and shipping costs move — the honest answer is: ask us for a current quote. If you want a truck that's ready to drive, a restored Bandeirante bundles the sourcing, import, and restoration into one turn-key price.

DIY or Use an Importer?

Importing yourself is legal and possible. But between Portuguese-language paperwork, in-country inspection, freight booking, and customs filings, most buyers conclude that the importer's fee is the cheapest insurance they've ever bought. It's the entire reason Overland Imports exists.

Ready to start? Learn about the truck on our Toyota Bandeirante page or submit a build inquiry.