25-Year Rule for US Car Imports 2025: Complete Classic Import Guide

The 25-year rule has fundamentally transformed the landscape of US car imports, creating a thriving market for classic vehicles while offering substantial savings compared to importing modern cars. In 2025, as tariff structures have become increasingly complex for contemporary vehicles, this decades-old exemption has never been more valuable for collectors, dealers, and automotive enthusiasts seeking to import legendary models from around the world.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and reflects US car import regulations as of October 2025. Import laws, duty rates, and compliance requirements are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), NHTSA, and EPA before importing any vehicle.

Understanding how the 25-year exemption works and how to apply it correctly can save importers thousands of dollars in compliance costs and tariffs. This guide explains how the rule works, which vehicles qualify in 2025, what documentation you need, and how to navigate the import process while staying compliant with US law.

West Coast Shipping specializes in importing classic vehicles under the 25-year exemption, handling complete logistics from foreign ports to U.S. delivery while ensuring proper customs documentation and classification. Learn more about our international car shipping services.

Understanding the 25-Year Rule: Legal Foundation and Benefits

The 25-year rule, established under the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988, provides a complete exemption from FMVSS (NHTSA/DOT) and EPA emissions requirements for vehicles that are at least 25 years old from their month and year of manufacture.

What the 25-Year Exemption Covers

• NHTSA/DOT Safety Exemption: No need to meet current FMVSS; no crash testing, no safety retrofits, and no Registered Importer (RI) needed for conformance.

• EPA Emissions Exemption: No Clean Air Act compliance or modern emissions equipment required.

• Simplified Entry: Straightforward customs clearance using DOT Form HS-7 (Box 1) and EPA Form 3520-1 (Code/Box E), with standard supporting docs.

• Section 232 Tariff Exemption: When properly coded under HTS 9903.94.04, 25-year vehicles are not subject to the 25% Section 232 tariff that can apply to some modern finished vehicles.

What the 25-Year Rule Does NOT Cover

• Base Duty Still Applies: Most passenger cars still pay the base 2.5% duty.

• Other Fees Still Apply: Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%) and Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%) apply to ocean shipments.

• State Registration Is Separate: States set their own registration, safety, and emissions rules.

• You Still Do Full Customs: Proper entry, coding, and records retention are required.

For duty/fee details, see our US import duty guide.

Calculating Eligibility: What’s Legal to Import in 2025

The Month and Year Calculation

Eligibility is based on actual manufacture date, not model year. A vehicle must be 25 years old to the month.

2025 timeline examples

• January 2025 → vehicles built Jan 2000 or earlier.

• June 2025 → vehicles built June 2000 or earlier.

• December 2025 → vehicles built Dec 2000 or earlier.

Newly Eligible Vehicles in 2025 (examples)

JDM icons

• Nissan Skyline R34 (early 2000 builds)

• Honda S2000 AP1 (early production)

• Mazda RX-7 Type RZ (final-year variants)

• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI TME

• Toyota MR2 Spyder (early 2000 builds)

European classics

• BMW Z8 (E52)

• Porsche 911 Turbo (996.1)

• Jaguar XKR Silverstone Edition

• Audi TT 225 quattro (8N) (replaces the later “Quattro Sport” special)

• Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG (C208) 

Other notable models

• Lotus Elise S1

• TVR Tuscan Speed Six

• Morgan Aero 8

• Noble M12 GTO

See more picks in our top cars to import in 2025.

Determining Manufacturing Date (proof)

Primary: Manufacturer label (month/year), factory build sheet, certificate of origin, or OEM archive letter/VIN decode.

Secondary: First registration ≥25 years ago, original bill of sale ≥25 years ago, recognized marque club verification, or prior foreign import records.

Details: classic car import exemptions guide.

Financial Advantages: How Much the 25-Year Rule Saves

Duty/Tariff Comparison

Modern (<25 yrs)

• Base duty: 2.5%

• Baseline tariff (2025): +10% may apply depending on origin/HTS

• Section 232 (finished vehicles): +25% for certain non-exempt origins

• EPA/DOT compliance via RI: $9,500–$28,500

• Potential total: Up to 37.5% in duties plus compliance costs

25-year classics

• Base duty: 2.5%

• Section 232: Not applicable when coded 9903.94.04

• Baseline 10%: May or may not apply based on origin/HTS; many classics end up at just 2.5%

• Compliance: $0 (no EPA/DOT retrofits)

Example

• 2015 Nissan GT-R at $80,000 → duties up to $30,000 (37.5%) + $15k–$25k compliance = $45k–$55k additional.

• 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 at $80,000 → $2,000 duty (2.5%), $0 compliance.

Savings: $43k–$53k.

Other Cost Factors

• FX risk: Currency swings can add/subtract 3–10% between deposit and wire.

• Container choice: Consolidated saves 30–60% vs. dedicated; dedicated is best for high-value cars/tight timing.

  More: container shipping options.

Required Documentation and Entry Process

Essential federal forms

• DOT HS-7 → Box 1 (“≥25 years old”).

• EPA 3520-1 → Box/Code E (“≥25 years old” pathway on the form).

• CBP 7501 → correct HTS for the vehicle plus 9903.94.04 (to reflect the Section 232 exemption when applicable).

You can verify codes via the HTSUS search tool.

Supporting docs

• Ownership/value: foreign title/registration, bill of sale, invoice; appraisal for unusual/low-doc cases.

• Age evidence: Mfr. label, build record, VIN docs, photos of plates.

• ISF (10+2): File ≥24 hours before lading at the foreign port.

• B/L or AWB, packing list (if spares inside), and broker POA.

Clearance steps

1. Pre-arrival (2–4 wks): line up docs, broker, HTS, ISF.

2. Arrival: CBP pre-exam; broker files entry; duties/fees paid.

3. Inspection (if any): VIN, build date, unreported mods.

4. Release: collect or arrange domestic delivery; begin state registration.

State-Level Registration Requirements

Federal entry ≠ automatic state registration.

• California: Among the strictest. Smog is generally required for 1976+ vehicles even if federally exempt; there is no blanket 25-year smog exemption. Expect VIN verification and, in some cases, BAR referee appointments—especially for unusual imports.

• Other strict states: NY, MA, CT, OR may require emissions and/or safety inspections.

• Generally easier: MT, FL, TX and several others are more straightforward for 25-year cars.

Do your DMV homework first to avoid surprises.

Motorcycles Under the 25-Year Rule

• Forms: Same EPA 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 (use the motorcycle section).

• Duty: Varies by HTS; many bikes are ~2.4% (not 2.5%).

• Use category matters: On-road/off-road/competition can affect importability and state registration.

More: vintage motorcycle import guide.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Model year vs. build date: Only the build month/year controls eligibility.

• Forgetting 9903.94.04: Without it, the entry may be wrongly assessed Section 232.

• Weak age proof: Bring multiple proofs (plate photo + factory record, etc.).

• Assuming state registration: Check your state’s DMV/BAR rules in advance.

Strategic Timing and Market Opportunities

• Monthly roll-ons: Eligibility flips on the anniversary month—not year-end.

• 2026 preview: Early-2001 builds begin qualifying (e.g., E46 M3, EP3 Civic Type R, WRX STI “Bugeye”, Silvia S15 Spec-R, Ferrari 360, Lamborghini Murciélago).

• Price patterns: Often a run-up 6–12 months before eligibility and a spike around the month it hits.

Alternatives for Vehicles Under 25 Years

Show or Display

For vehicles of historical/technological significance on NHTSA’s approved list: strict, rarely granted, 2,500 miles/year cap, and you still need an EPA path. Approvals are case-specific to the vehicle/importer and can take significant time—this is not a daily-driver route.

Guide: Show or Display

Registered Importer (RI) Conformance

If not 25 years and not S&D-eligible, an RI can convert the car to EPA/DOT compliance.

• Typical RI costs: $9,500–$28,500 (vehicle-dependent).

• Timeline: Up to 120 days post-entry.

• DOT bond: Typically 150% of vehicle value during conformance; released upon successful completion.

Unless the car’s value/rarity justifies it, waiting for 25 years is usually more economical.

Calculate Your Import Costs

Use our car import calculator for instant estimates covering:

• Base 2.5% duty

• HMF (0.125%) and MPF (0.3464%)

• Ocean freight from major ports

• US inland transport

For broader strategy (ports, paperwork, batch imports), see our US car import laws guide.

Get Your Instant Import Cost Estimate

Calculate exact costs for importing your dream classic under the 25-year exemption—including duties, fees, and shipping.