JDM 25-Year Import Rule Checker (2026)
Every iconic JDM chassis with its month-accurate US import eligibility date. Pick a car to see exactly when it turns 25 — or get an email the day it does.
Unlocking next
1960s
1970s
1980s
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32)
BNR32
Nissan Skyline R30 (DR30 RS)
R30 / DR30
Nissan Skyline R31 (GTS-R)
HR31
Nissan Laurel (C33)
C33
Nissan Cefiro (A31)
A31
Nissan Silvia (S13)
S13
Nissan 180SX
RPS13
Nissan 300ZX (Z31)
Z31
Nissan Fairlady Z / 300ZX (Z32)
Z32
Nissan March Super Turbo
EK10GFR
Nissan Pao
PK10
Nissan Be-1
BK10
Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno / Levin
AE86
Toyota Supra (A70)
JZA70 / MA70
Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST185)
ST185
Toyota MR2 (SW20)
SW20
Toyota Land Cruiser 70
J70
Toyota Land Cruiser 80
J80
Mazda RX-7 (FC3S)
FC3S
Mazda Eunos Roadster (NA)
NA6CE / NA8C
Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon 4WD
P25W / P35W
1990s
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R33)
BCNR33
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
BNR34
Nissan Stagea 260RS Autech
WGNC34
Nissan Silvia (S14)
S14
Nissan Silvia (S15)
S15
Nissan Pulsar GTI-R
RNN14
Nissan Cima / Gloria (Y33)
Y33
Nissan Gloria (Y34)
Y34
Nissan Figaro
FK10
Toyota Supra (A80)
JZA80
Toyota Chaser (JZX90)
JZX90
Toyota Chaser (JZX100)
JZX100
Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST205)
ST205
Toyota Soarer (JZZ30)
JZZ30
Toyota Aristo V300 (JZS161)
JZS161
Toyota Crown (S150)
S150
Honda NSX (NA1)
NA1
Honda NSX (NA2)
NA2
Honda Civic Type R (EK9)
EK9
Honda Integra Type R (DC2)
DC2
Honda Beat
PP1
Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)
FD3S
Mazda Roadster (NB)
NB6C / NB8C
Mazda (Autozam) Autozam AZ-1
PG6SA
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution I
CD9A
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution II
CE9A
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III
CE9A
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV
CN9A
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V
CP9A
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI
CP9A
Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution
V55W
Subaru Impreza WRX / STI (GC8)
GC8
Subaru Impreza 22B STI
GC8E2SD
Subaru Sambar (kei truck/van)
KS / KV
Suzuki Cappuccino
EA11R / EA21R
Daihatsu Hijet (kei truck)
S100 / S110
2000s
Planning an import?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the 25-year import rule?
- US federal law (49 U.S.C. § 30112) exempts any vehicle 25 years or older — counted from its month of manufacture — from FMVSS safety standards, so it can be imported and titled without modification. EPA emissions requirements drop away at 21 years, so by 25 years a JDM car clears both hurdles. That is why iconic JDM models "unlock" for the US exactly 25 years after they rolled off the line in Japan.
- When can I import an R34 Skyline GT-R?
- Right now — the earliest January 1999 BNR34s became legal in January 2024. Eligibility rolls forward month by month with the production date of the specific car: V-Spec II (2000) and M-Spec (2001) cars are arriving now, and the final V-Spec II Nür and M-Spec Nür cars built in August 2002 become legal in August 2027. Always verify the build plate, not the model year.
- Is California different?
- Yes. The 25-year rule is federal — it gets the car into the country. California separately requires direct-import vehicles to pass its own emissions compliance unless the car is 1975 or older, which in practice means most 80s/90s JDM imports cannot be registered in California without going through a licensed lab conversion. Most California buyers either register the car in another state or budget thousands extra for CARB compliance. Check our state registration guide before you buy.
- What about kit cars or swapping a legal chassis?
- Do not. Re-VINing a newer car onto an older chassis, or importing a "disassembled kit" of a non-eligible car, is federal title fraud — NHTSA and CBP have seized and crushed cars for it (famously several R32/R33-era Skylines in the 2000s). The only safe paths are waiting for the 25-year date, Show or Display approval for a handful of models, or a registered importer conversion.
Next: verify, then plan
Connect the research to the actual car.
Verify the specific build date, engine configuration, import documents and state requirements before arranging an international shipment. Plan the domestic handover separately.