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25-Year Import Rule · NB6C / NB8C
Mazda Roadster (NB) US Import Eligibility
Legal NOW — since January 2023
Eligibility follows the build date: examples built 25+ years ago are legal today; the final July 2005 cars unlock in July 2030.
Importing a Mazda Roadster (NB)? Get the checklist.
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Production run & eligibility
| Chassis code | NB6C / NB8C |
|---|---|
| Production start | January 1998 |
| Production end | July 2005 |
| First cars eligible | January 2023 |
| Last cars eligible | July 2030 |
Eligibility is counted from the month of manufacture on the build plate of the specific car — not the model year. A Roadster (NB) built one month later unlocks one month later.
JDM RS and turbo Mazdaspeed editions. Early cars eligible since January 2023; the run completes July 2030.
California is different
The 25-year rule is federal — it clears customs and NHTSA. California additionally requires direct-import vehicles newer than 1975 to pass its own emissions certification, which most JDM imports cannot do without an expensive lab conversion. If you are in California, read our state registration guide before bidding on anything.