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25-Year Import Rule · CE9A
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III US Import Eligibility
Legal NOW — since February 2020
Every example of this chassis has passed the 25-year mark.
Importing a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III? Get the checklist.
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Production run & eligibility
| Chassis code | CE9A |
|---|---|
| Production start | February 1995 |
| Production end | August 1996 |
| First cars eligible | February 2020 |
| Last cars eligible | August 2021 |
Eligibility is counted from the month of manufacture on the build plate of the specific car — not the model year. A Lancer Evolution III built one month later unlocks one month later.
The Initial D Emperor car. Eligible.
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.