Importing a Kawasaki Z900RS to the USA
The retro Z900RS is duty-free; Japan-spec colours are the reason to import.
A Kawasaki Z900RS costs about $14,775 all-in to import on the Japan → USA route in 2026 — a $11,000 purchase plus roughly $3,775 in shipping, 0% duty, compliance and registration.
- Route
- Japan → USA
- Est. all-in cost
- ~$14,775
- Duty & tax
- 0% duty
- On a purchase of
- $11,000
At 948cc the Z900RS is duty-free.
JDM-exclusive paint schemes are the main draw over the US model.
How much does it cost to import a Kawasaki Z900RS?
Every line below is a researched 2026 estimate in USD. We start from the $11,000 purchase price, add marine insurance at about 1.5% and ocean freight, then 0% 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) | $11,000 |
| Export agent & de-registration | $500 |
| Professional crating | $400 |
| Ocean freight (crated, LCL) | $1,400 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $165 |
| Duty-free (948cc) | $0 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $410 |
| EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork | $150 |
| Inland transport & registration | $750 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $14,775 |
Into USA the duty is light — there is none at all on this one, so tax is the small part of the bill. It is shipping (about $1,400), compliance and registration that make up most of the roughly $3,775 you add on top of the $11,000 purchase price — around 34% before you turn a wheel.
How to import a Kawasaki Z900RS, step by step
- Agree the purchase and secure the title/export paperwork in Japan (an export agent or auction house usually handles de-registration).
- Have the bike professionally crated and booked onto an LCL ocean sailing (or share a container to cut the per-unit cost).
- 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 0% duty (over-800cc motorcycles are duty-free), 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 Kawasaki Z900RS legal to import? Rules & compliance
EPA/DOT entry; a US equivalent exists, smoothing conformity.
Frequently asked questions
Duty?+
0%.
Why import?+
JDM-only colours.
What is the total estimated cost to import a Kawasaki Z900RS?+
About $14,775 all-in for a $11,000 example — the purchase price plus roughly $3,775 in freight, insurance, duty, compliance and registration. Your figure shifts with the exact price, route and exchange rate.
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