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25-Year Import Rule · GC8
Subaru Impreza WRX / STI (GC8) US Import Eligibility
Legal NOW — since November 2017
Every example of this chassis has passed the 25-year mark.
Importing a Subaru Impreza WRX / STI (GC8)? Get the checklist.
Auction-sheet red flags, shipping costs, and registration steps — straight to your inbox.
Production run & eligibility
| Chassis code | GC8 |
|---|---|
| Production start | November 1992 |
| Production end | August 2000 |
| First cars eligible | November 2017 |
| Last cars eligible | August 2025 |
Eligibility is counted from the month of manufacture on the build plate of the specific car — not the model year. A Impreza WRX / STI (GC8) built one month later unlocks one month later.
STI Versions I-VI (1994-2000) all eligible. JDM coupe Type R is the collector pick.
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.