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25-Year Import Rule · CN9A
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV US Import Eligibility
Legal NOW — since August 2021
Every example of this chassis has passed the 25-year mark.
Importing a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV? Get the checklist.
Auction-sheet red flags, shipping costs, and registration steps — straight to your inbox.
Production run & eligibility
| Chassis code | CN9A |
|---|---|
| Production start | August 1996 |
| Production end | January 1998 |
| First cars eligible | August 2021 |
| Last cars eligible | January 2023 |
Eligibility is counted from the month of manufacture on the build plate of the specific car — not the model year. A Lancer Evolution IV built one month later unlocks one month later.
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.