Nissan Silvia S13 Import Guide: 2026 USA Cost Breakdown
A balanced rear-drive coupe that became one of the defining cars of drift culture.
A Nissan Silvia S13 costs about $22,130 all-in to import on the Japan → USA route in 2026 — a $15,000 purchase plus roughly $7,130 in shipping, 2.5% duty, compliance and registration.
- Route
- Japan → USA
- Est. all-in cost
- ~$22,130
- Duty & tax
- 2.5% duty
- On a purchase of
- $15,000
The Silvia S13 is a rear-wheel-drive coupe known for its balanced chassis and turbocharged SR20DET engine option.
Never sold in this form in the US, the S13 Silvia is now importable and remains a tuning icon.
How much does it cost to import a Nissan Silvia S13?
Every line below is a researched 2026 estimate in USD. We start from the $15,000 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) | $15,000 |
| Export agent & auction fees | $1,200 |
| Ocean freight | $2,700 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $225 |
| The standard US passenger-car import duty is 2.5% of declared value | $375 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $830 |
| EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork | $300 |
| Inland transport & registration | $1,500 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $22,130 |
Into USA the duty is light, just $375, 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 $7,130 you add on top of the $15,000 purchase price — around 48% before you turn a wheel.
How to import a Nissan Silvia S13, 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 Nissan Silvia S13 legal to import? Rules & compliance
Silvia S13 cars are past 25 years old and qualify for both the DOT and EPA exemptions. Confirm the build month and engine code, as specifications varied across the S13 production run.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Silvia and the US 240SX?+
The Silvia was offered in Japan with turbocharged SR20DET engines not available in the US-market 240SX.
Why is the S13 popular for drifting?+
Its rear-drive layout and balanced chassis make it well suited to drift and spirited driving.
What is the total estimated cost to import a Nissan Silvia S13?+
About $22,130 all-in for a $15,000 example — the purchase price plus roughly $7,130 in freight, insurance, duty, compliance and registration. Your figure shifts with the exact price, route and exchange rate.
Read next
Importing a Nissan Skyline R34 to the USA: the true 2026 cost
Importing a Toyota Supra MK4 (A80) to the USA in 2026
