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Subaru Impreza WRX STI GC8

Verified source All cars eligible

Production start
January 1994
Production end
September 2000
First cars US-eligible (25 yr)
January 2019
Last cars US-eligible
September 2025
Source: ImportWindow (Subaru news archive: WRX-STi first released by STI in Jan 1994; GC8 ran to Sept 2000). https://importwindow.com/vehicle/subaru-impreza-gc8/

A GC8 built in 1992–93 is a WRX, not an STI.

NHTSA: the 25-year period "runs from the date of the vehicle's manufacture" (49 U.S.C. 30112(b)(9); 49 CFR 591.5(i)). Most plates show month/year only; we treat a build month as fully clear from the last day of that month 25 years later. Go by the build plate.

Build month → eligible month

BuiltTurns 25Status (October 2026)
Jan 1994Jan 2019Eligible
Feb 1994Feb 2019Eligible
Mar 1994Mar 2019Eligible
Apr 1994Apr 2019Eligible
May 1994May 2019Eligible
Jun 1994Jun 2019Eligible
Jul 1994Jul 2019Eligible
Aug 1994Aug 2019Eligible
Sep 1994Sep 2019Eligible
Oct 1994Oct 2019Eligible
Nov 1994Nov 2019Eligible
Dec 1994Dec 2019Eligible
Jan 1995Jan 2020Eligible
Feb 1995Feb 2020Eligible
Mar 1995Mar 2020Eligible
Apr 1995Apr 2020Eligible
May 1995May 2020Eligible
Jun 1995Jun 2020Eligible
Jul 1995Jul 2020Eligible
Aug 1995Aug 2020Eligible
Sep 1995Sep 2020Eligible
Oct 1995Oct 2020Eligible
Nov 1995Nov 2020Eligible
Dec 1995Dec 2020Eligible
Jan 1996Jan 2021Eligible
Feb 1996Feb 2021Eligible
Mar 1996Mar 2021Eligible
Apr 1996Apr 2021Eligible
May 1996May 2021Eligible
Jun 1996Jun 2021Eligible
Jul 1996Jul 2021Eligible
Aug 1996Aug 2021Eligible
Sep 1996Sep 2021Eligible
Oct 1996Oct 2021Eligible
Nov 1996Nov 2021Eligible
Dec 1996Dec 2021Eligible
Jan 1997Jan 2022Eligible
Feb 1997Feb 2022Eligible
Mar 1997Mar 2022Eligible
Apr 1997Apr 2022Eligible
May 1997May 2022Eligible
Jun 1997Jun 2022Eligible
Jul 1997Jul 2022Eligible
Aug 1997Aug 2022Eligible
Sep 1997Sep 2022Eligible
Oct 1997Oct 2022Eligible
Nov 1997Nov 2022Eligible
Dec 1997Dec 2022Eligible
Jan 1998Jan 2023Eligible
Feb 1998Feb 2023Eligible
Mar 1998Mar 2023Eligible
Apr 1998Apr 2023Eligible
May 1998May 2023Eligible
Jun 1998Jun 2023Eligible
Jul 1998Jul 2023Eligible
Aug 1998Aug 2023Eligible
Sep 1998Sep 2023Eligible
Oct 1998Oct 2023Eligible
Nov 1998Nov 2023Eligible
Dec 1998Dec 2023Eligible
Jan 1999Jan 2024Eligible
Feb 1999Feb 2024Eligible
Mar 1999Mar 2024Eligible
Apr 1999Apr 2024Eligible
May 1999May 2024Eligible
Jun 1999Jun 2024Eligible
Jul 1999Jul 2024Eligible
Aug 1999Aug 2024Eligible
Sep 1999Sep 2024Eligible
Oct 1999Oct 2024Eligible
Nov 1999Nov 2024Eligible
Dec 1999Dec 2024Eligible
Jan 2000Jan 2025Eligible
Feb 2000Feb 2025Eligible
Mar 2000Mar 2025Eligible
Apr 2000Apr 2025Eligible
May 2000May 2025Eligible
Jun 2000Jun 2025Eligible
Jul 2000Jul 2025Eligible
Aug 2000Aug 2025Eligible
Sep 2000Sep 2025Eligible

FAQ

When can I import a Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GC8) to the US?

Under NHTSA's 25-year exemption (49 U.S.C. 30112(b)(9)), eligibility runs from the vehicle's date of manufacture. For this model, production started January 1994, so the earliest cars become eligible in January 2019. Production ended September 2000, so the last cars become eligible in September 2025. Always check the build plate on the specific car.

Is the GC8 eligible under the 25-year rule right now?

Status as of 2026-10-19: All cars eligible. The 25-year period runs from the manufacture date, not the model year. A car built late in the production run may still be waiting.

Does EPA also apply to a GC8 import?

Yes. EPA's Form 3520-1 Code E covers vehicles at least 21 years old (calendar year of manufacture subtracted from year of importation) in original unmodified configuration. DOT and EPA are separate tests; you need both.

How much does it cost to import a Subaru Impreza WRX STI?

Costs vary by auction price, shipping and duty. Use our GC8 landed-cost calculator for an editable estimate. Typical overhead beyond the car is often a few thousand dollars (see our import-cost guide).

Where to buy parts

Platform specialists
  • MAPerformance · Turbo performance parts, incl. Evo and WRX/STI
  • RHDJapan · Ships from Japan: Nismo, Mugen, Spoon, Tomei, HKS, Cusco and OEM parts
  • Nengun Performance · Ships from Japan: HKS, Nismo, Greddy, Blitz, RAYS and more. Also offers a Yahoo Japan Auctions service
  • Japamart · Japan proxy buying (Yahoo Auctions, Mercari), useful for discontinued OEM and used tuner parts
General retailers & Japan proxies
  • Summit Racing · Large US performance retailer (fluids, tools, universal parts)
  • CARiD · Large US online retailer of aftermarket and replacement parts and accessories
  • Amazon (Automotive) · Fluids, filters, tools and universal accessories
  • eBay Motors Parts · Used and NOS JDM parts from US and Japan sellers
  • ZenMarket · Japan proxy for Yahoo Auctions and Japanese stores
  • Buyee · Japan proxy for Yahoo Auctions and Mercari

Independent retailers picked by what they publicly stock. Check fitment for your chassis. Some links are affiliate links; see our affiliate disclosure.

Estimate landed cost

Open the calculator → · How to import step by step → · Find an exporter →

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