Import · Japan → USA

Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution USA Import: 2026 Cost Breakdown

A Dakar-inspired homologation SUV with serious off-road hardware and a muscular V6.

Marcus Lane
By Marcus Lane, Vehicle import & export specialist · 6 min read
Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution — Japan → USA cost guide
Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution. Photo: Comyu · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Quick answer

A Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution costs about $32,530 all-in to import on the Japan → USA route in 2026 — a $25,000 purchase plus roughly $7,530 in shipping, 2.5% duty, compliance and registration.

Route
Japan → USA
Est. all-in cost
~$32,530
Duty & tax
2.5% duty
On a purchase of
$25,000

The Pajero Evolution is a homologation special developed for Dakar-style rally raid competition.

With its unique bodywork and capable drivetrain, this rare SUV is now reaching US import eligibility.

How much does it cost to import a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution?

Every line below is a researched 2026 estimate in USD. We start from the $25,000 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.

Estimated landed cost — Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, Japan → USA, 2026
Vehicle (purchase price)$25,000
Export agent & auction fees$1,200
Ocean freight$2,700
Marine insurance (~1.5%)$375
The standard US passenger-car import duty is 2.5% of declared value$625
Customs broker & port handling$830
EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork$300
Inland transport & registration$1,500
Estimated all-in landed cost$32,530

Into USA the duty is light, just $625, 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 $7,530 you add on top of the $25,000 purchase price — around 30% before you turn a wheel.

How to import a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, step by step

  1. Agree the purchase and secure the title/export paperwork in Japan (an export agent or auction house usually handles de-registration).
  2. Book ocean freight — roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) is cheapest, a sole-use container is safest for a high-value car.
  3. Confirm eligibility from the build month — the US 25-year DOT exemption is calculated month by month, not by model year.
  4. Clear US customs and pay the 2.5% duty, then file EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7 at entry.
  5. Arrange inland transport, then title and register in your state — a few states add emissions or kei-vehicle checks.

Is a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution legal to import? Rules & compliance

Pajero Evolution models at 25 years or older qualify for the DOT exemption and EPA exemption at 21 years. As a limited homologation vehicle, verify build date and authenticity before importing.

Frequently asked questions

What makes the Pajero Evolution special?+

It was built to homologate Mitsubishi's rally raid efforts, featuring upgraded suspension and a powerful V6.

Is it practical for daily use?+

It can be driven daily, but its specialized hardware and rarity make many owners treat it as a collector vehicle.

What is the total estimated cost to import a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution?+

About $32,530 all-in for a $25,000 example — the purchase price plus roughly $7,530 in freight, insurance, duty, compliance and registration. Your figure shifts with the exact price, route and exchange rate.

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