Honda S2000 AP1 Import Guide: What It Really Costs to Land One
A high-revving roadster built around one of the finest naturally aspirated engines Honda ever made.
A Honda S2000 AP1 costs about $35,650 all-in to import on the Japan → USA route in 2026 — a $28,000 purchase plus roughly $7,650 in shipping, 2.5% duty, compliance and registration.
- Route
- Japan → USA
- Est. all-in cost
- ~$35,650
- Duty & tax
- 2.5% duty
- On a purchase of
- $28,000
The AP1 S2000 is a front-engine, rear-drive convertible famous for its screaming F20C engine and razor-sharp handling.
Early Japanese-market AP1 examples are reaching import eligibility, drawing enthusiasts who want a clean, original car.
How much does it cost to import a Honda S2000 AP1?
Every line below is a researched 2026 estimate in USD. We start from the $28,000 purchase price, add marine insurance at about 1.5% and ocean freight, then 2.5% US duty on the declared value, and the broker, compliance and registration fees. Change the purchase price and everything else scales only modestly.
| Vehicle (purchase price) | $28,000 |
| Export agent & auction fees | $1,200 |
| Ocean freight | $2,700 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $420 |
| The standard US passenger-car import duty is 2.5% of declared value | $700 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $830 |
| EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork | $300 |
| Inland transport & registration | $1,500 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $35,650 |
Into USA the duty is light, just $700, so tax is the small part of the bill. It is shipping (about $2,700), compliance and registration that make up most of the roughly $7,650 you add on top of the $28,000 purchase price — around 27% before you turn a wheel.
How to import a Honda S2000 AP1, step by step
- Agree the purchase and secure the title/export paperwork in Japan (an export agent or auction house usually handles de-registration).
- Book ocean freight — roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) is cheapest, a sole-use container is safest for a high-value car.
- Confirm eligibility from the build month — the US 25-year DOT exemption is calculated month by month, not by model year.
- Clear US customs and pay the 2.5% duty, then file EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7 at entry.
- Arrange inland transport, then title and register in your state — a few states add emissions or kei-vehicle checks.
Is a Honda S2000 AP1 legal to import? Rules & compliance
AP1 examples reaching 25 years of age qualify for the DOT exemption, while EPA exemption applies at 21 years. Check the build month carefully, as the earliest AP1 cars cross eligibility before later ones.
Frequently asked questions
Why import an AP1 from Japan instead of buying one locally?+
Japanese-market AP1 cars can offer lower mileage and right-hand-drive originality that appeals to collectors.
Are S2000 parts easy to source in the USA?+
Yes, the S2000 has a strong enthusiast following and broad parts availability in the United States.
What is the total estimated cost to import a Honda S2000 AP1?+
About $35,650 all-in for a $28,000 example — the purchase price plus roughly $7,650 in freight, insurance, duty, compliance and registration. Your figure shifts with the exact price, route and exchange rate.
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