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.
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.
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.
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.
Eligibility is based on actual manufacture date, not model year. A vehicle must be 25 years old to the month.
January 2025 → vehicles built Jan 2000 or earlier.
June 2025 → vehicles built June 2000 or earlier.
December 2025 → vehicles built Dec 2000 or earlier.
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)
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)
Lotus Elise S1
TVR Tuscan Speed Six
Morgan Aero 8
Noble M12 GTO
See more picks in our top cars to import in 2025.
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pre-arrival (2–4 wks): line up docs, broker, HTS, ISF.
Arrival: CBP pre-exam; broker files entry; duties/fees paid.
Inspection (if any): VIN, build date, unreported mods.
Release: collect or arrange domestic delivery; begin state registration.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Calculate exact costs for importing your dream classic under the 25-year exemption—including duties, fees, and shipping.