The US import rule, this month
Cars built September 2001 or earlier are importable to the US now — the 25-year rule counts from the month a car was built, so the line moves every month. Next: built October 2001 qualifies from October 2026.
The rule, as written
A motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old, counted from its month and year of manufacture, may be imported into the United States without meeting the current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (49 CFR 591.5(i); NHTSA's importation guidance). A separate EPA rule exempts vehicles at least 21 years old, in their original configuration, from current emissions requirements. Both count age from build date, not model year — a car built in September of its model year waits a month longer than one built in August.
So this month (September 2026) the safety line is September 2001: a car built then or earlier clears the 25-year rule; a car built October 2001 qualifies from October 2026.
This is the rule, not advice: state registration, title and Customs paperwork still apply, and the build month is on the car, not in any listing count. Sources: 49 CFR § 591.5(i) ("the vehicle is 25 or more years old"; NHTSA's importation guidance counts from the month of manufacture) · EPA — importing vehicles and engines.
By model
- Honda Beat — Every Beat qualifies — the newest were built in 1996, and anything built September 2001 or earlier is importable now.
- Honda S2000 — S2000: cars built 1999 – September 2001 are importable now; later builds qualify month by month — a car built October 2001 qualifies OCT 2026.
- Mazda Roadster — Roadster: cars built 1989 – September 2001 are importable now; later builds qualify month by month — a car built October 2001 qualifies OCT 2026.
- Mazda RX-7 — RX-7: cars built 1978 – September 2001 are importable now; later builds qualify month by month — a car built October 2001 qualifies OCT 2026.
- Mazda RX-8 — No RX-8 qualifies yet — the first were built in 2003, so the earliest become importable in 2028.
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — Lancer Evolution: cars built 1992 – September 2001 are importable now; later builds qualify month by month — a car built October 2001 qualifies OCT 2026.
- Nissan 180SX — Every 180SX qualifies — the newest were built in 1998, and anything built September 2001 or earlier is importable now.
- Nissan GT-R — No GT-R qualifies yet — the first were built in 2007, so the earliest become importable in 2032.
- Nissan Silvia — Silvia: cars built 1975 – September 2001 are importable now; later builds qualify month by month — a car built October 2001 qualifies OCT 2026.
- Nissan Skyline GT-R — Skyline GT-R: cars built 1989 – September 2001 are importable now; later builds qualify month by month — a car built October 2001 qualifies OCT 2026.
- Suzuki Cappuccino — Every Cappuccino qualifies — the newest were built in 1998, and anything built September 2001 or earlier is importable now.
- Suzuki Jimny — Jimny: cars built 1970 – September 2001 are importable now; later builds qualify month by month — a car built October 2001 qualifies OCT 2026.
- Toyota MR-S — MR-S: cars built 1999 – September 2001 are importable now; later builds qualify month by month — a car built October 2001 qualifies OCT 2026.
- Toyota MR2 — Every MR2 qualifies — the newest were built in 1999, and anything built September 2001 or earlier is importable now.
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