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25-Year Import Rule · AE86
Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno / Levin US Import Eligibility
Legal NOW — since May 2008
Every example of this chassis has passed the 25-year mark.
Importing a Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno / Levin? Get the checklist.
Auction-sheet red flags, shipping costs, and registration steps — straight to your inbox.
Production run & eligibility
| Chassis code | AE86 |
|---|---|
| Production start | May 1983 |
| Production end | April 1987 |
| First cars eligible | May 2008 |
| Last cars eligible | April 2012 |
Eligibility is counted from the month of manufacture on the build plate of the specific car — not the model year. A AE86 Sprinter Trueno / Levin built one month later unlocks one month later.
The hachi-roku. Eligible for years — prices are pure Initial D tax now.
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.
Budget the full import
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