The US 25-year import rule explained
Federal law lets you import a motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old without meeting current FMVSS safety standards. That is the core of what enthusiasts call the "25-year rule." It is often confused with EPA emissions age, tariff age and state titling — those are separate.
DOT / NHTSA 25-year exemption
Under 49 U.S.C. § 30112(b)(9) and 49 CFR § 591.5(i), a vehicle that is 25 or more years old may be imported without regard to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. NHTSA's FAQs state the period "runs from the date of the vehicle's manufacture." On the HS-7 declaration filed with CBP, this is typically Box 1 (age-exempt vehicle).
Primary sources: NHTSA importation FAQs; 49 U.S.C. 30112; 49 CFR 591. AAMVA's January 2026 imported-vehicle guidance also summarizes Box 1.
EPA 21-year exemption
EPA Form 3520-1 Code E covers a vehicle at least 21 years old, measured by subtracting the calendar year of manufacture from the year of importation, and in original unmodified configuration. Engine swaps can disqualify Code E unless the replacement meets EPA's equivalence rules. A car can clear EPA at 21 years and still fail DOT until it turns 25.
Source: EPA Form 3520-1 (August 2024), Code E text; epa.gov importing-vehicles pages.
Section 232 / duty age
CBP has applied an additional Section 232 duty on many passenger vehicles, with an exemption for vehicles manufactured in a year at least 25 years prior to the year of entry (calendar-year test — different from DOT's month-based test). Base HTS duty on passenger cars is commonly cited at 2.5%. Public 2026 guides disagree on whether an extra Section 301 duty also applies to Japanese cars (see our calculator notes). Confirm current HTS/CBP guidance with a broker.
Build month, not model year
Japanese plates and export certificates show a manufacture month. A "2001" R34 GT-R built in October 2001 is not DOT-eligible until October 2026. Our model pages list production windows and derived unlock months; your car's plate still wins.
Related lists: cars legal in 2026, 2027, 2028.
FAQ
Is a 25-year-old car automatically street-legal in my state?
No. Federal admission is separate from state title, registration and emissions. Some states add inspections for RHD or grey-market cars.
What if the car was modified in Japan?
EPA Code E requires original unmodified configuration. Major engine or emissions changes can block the easy EPA path even if DOT age is met.
Can I import before 25 years as a track car?
Non-conforming newer cars generally need a Registered Importer pathway with bonding and compliance work, which is expensive. Age exemption is the practical path for most enthusiasts.
Not legal advice. Use a licensed customs broker.