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The Import Counter · US 25-year rule

Buying an import? Confirm it’s eligible — to the month.

The US 25-year rule keys off the month a car was built — not its model year. A car sold as “25 years old” can still be months away from legal, so before you wire a cent, confirm the exact month the car you’re eyeing becomes importable. Enter its build month below — free. (Valuation and cross-market arbitrage are for members.)

Before you buy

Confirm it’s eligible before you wire a cent.

Don’t take the listing’s word for it. The rule is month-exact, so a car sold as “25 years old” can still be months away from eligibility — and that date is only as good as the build date you can prove.

01

Get the build plate

Ask the seller for a clear photo of the data plate (door jamb or firewall) showing the month of manufacture — not the model year on the title.

02

Match it to the car

Cross-check the chassis / VIN on the plate against the car’s chassis stamp, so the plate wasn’t swapped from another car.

03

Run the build month

Enter it as YYYY-MM below for the exact month it’s legal — and whether it’s legal now or still counting down.

04

Mind the rest

The 25-year rule is the NHTSA (safety) side. EPA needs 21+ years and original, unmodified condition — so an engine-swapped car can still trip emissions. Your state’s titling/emissions rules apply too. An indicator, not legal advice — use a licensed importer or customs broker.

Check a build month

Is the car you’re eyeing legal yet?

The queue

Tracked specimens, by build month.

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
V-Spec II · Japan
Eligible now
✓ Eligible to import now — since Jul 2026
Build 2001-07R1
🔒 Members
Verify Build plate — door-jamb B-pillar; cross-check to chassis BNR34
Nissan Patrol / Safari (Y61)
TB48DE 4.8L · Japan / Middle East
Eligible now
✓ Eligible to import now — since Jul 2026
Build 2001-07R1
🔒 Members
Verify Build plate B-pillar; confirm TB48DE engine stamp
Nissan Safari (Y60) = Ford Maverick
TD42 diesel · Japan / Australia / Europe
Eligible now
✓ Eligible to import now — since Jun 2018
Build 1993-06R1R3
⚡ Rebadge arbitrage — same build, two badges, a documented spread
🔒 Members
Verify Lift the market badge to read the primary chassis code VRGY60
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII
GSR · Japan
Eligible now
✓ Eligible to import now — since Sep 2026
Build 2001-09R1
🔒 Members
Verify Build plate; confirm CT9A chassis + 4G63 stamp
Honda S2000 (AP1)
2.0 F20C · Japan
Eligible now
✓ Eligible to import now — since Apr 2026
Build 2001-04R1
🔒 Members
Verify Build plate; JDM vs US-market VIN convention
Toyota Chaser (JZX100)
Tourer V 1JZ-GTE · Japan
Counting down
Eligible Nov 2026 — 1 month to go
Build 2001-11R1
🔒 Members
Verify Build plate; confirm 1JZ-GTE + Tourer V chassis
Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Evoluzione II · Italy / Europe
Eligible now
✓ Eligible to import now — since Nov 2018
Build 1993-11R1
🔒 Members
Verify Chassis prefix ZLA831AB; Evo II build sheet + 16v/catalysed spec
Peugeot 205 GTI
1.9 · France / Europe
Eligible now
✓ Eligible to import now — since Mar 2016
Build 1991-03R1
🔒 Members
Verify VIN VF3741…; 1.9 (disc rears, 130PS) vs 1.6; phase 1 vs 2
Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16
Evolution II · Germany / Europe
Eligible now
✓ Eligible to import now — since May 2015
Build 1990-05R1
🔒 Members
Verify 502 built; W201 EVO-II records; AMG-signed body kit + rear wing
BMW M3 CSL (E46)
SMG-only · Europe / Japan / Australia (never US)
Within 5 years
Eligible Jun 2028 — 20 months to go
Build 2003-06R1R3
⚡ Rebadge arbitrage — same build, two badges, a documented spread
🔒 Members
Verify Carbon roof + carbon airbox; CSL VIN allocation; SMG-only gearbox
Members
See the valuation, the US channel range, and the arbitrage spread.
Eligibility is free. The value layer — home-market and US-channel figures, and the rebadge spread — is where a plan pays for itself.
Become a member