The 25-year rule, in plain English

The rule

A vehicle that was never certified for the US market can be imported once it is at least 25 years old, counted from its month of manufacture. At 25 it is exempt from federal motor vehicle safety standards. At 21 it is exempt from EPA emissions rules, so by 25 both hurdles are cleared.

Month matters, not model year

A car built in October 1999 becomes eligible in October 2024, not January. We check the build plate and the export certificate before bidding so nothing sits in a bonded warehouse waiting for a birthday.

Federal is not the same as state

Customs clearance gets the car into the country. Titling and registration are state business. Florida titles 25-year imports without drama. A few states add their own inspection or emissions steps, and California is its own project.

What we handle

• Export certificate and de-registration in Japan
• Ocean freight and marine insurance
• HS-7 and EPA 3520-1 declarations, customs entry, duty
• Florida title and plates, or documents for your state

Watch for

• Cars advertised as "legal" that are 24 years and 10 months old
• Chassis numbers that do not match the export certificate
• Right-hand-drive is fully legal federally; a handful of states have odd rules