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25-Year Import Rule · CT9A
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII US Import Eligibility
Legal in 19 months (January 2028)
Email me when the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII turns 25
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Production run & eligibility
| Chassis code | CT9A |
|---|---|
| Production start | January 2003 |
| Production end | March 2005 |
| First cars eligible | January 2028 |
| Last cars eligible | March 2030 |
Eligibility is counted from the month of manufacture on the build plate of the specific car — not the model year. A Lancer Evolution VIII built one month later unlocks one month later.
JDM MR with the 6-speed. Eligible from January 2028.
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.