US Import Eligibility Calendar for JDM Cars

Age runs from manufacture

NHTSA's HS-7 declaration asks for the "Date of manufacture" in item 1, the declaration for vehicles 25 or more years old. NHTSA's list of eligible nonconforming vehicles, dated 1 December 2015, describes the exception as covering vehicles "at least 25 years old (based on the month and year of manufacture)".

A model year, an announcement date and a sale date are different events from the manufacture date, which is the date NHTSA's wording refers to.

Proving the manufacture date

The HS-7 form has a line for the date of manufacture, so the importer records it when declaring. EPA's Form 3520-1 states that Customs may require proof of vehicle age. Keep records that show when the exact car was built, and resolve any doubt about those records before the car ships.

2026

Cars manufactured in 2001 reach the line during 2026. Several popular models changed in 2001: Honda announced a new Civic Type R on 18 October 2001 and put a new Integra on sale on 2 July 2001, and Mitsubishi's Lancer Evolution VII came to market in February 2001.

These are announcement, sale and market dates. They do not say when any individual car was built, so they do not say when it reaches 25 years.

2027

Cars manufactured in 2002 reach the line during 2027. Toyota's record says Supra production ended in August 2002, so cars built through that month reach 25 years by August 2027.

Nissan's July 2002 production report notes the start of full-scale production of the new Fairlady Z. Mazda's March 2002 release said it expected FD-3S RX-7 production to end in August 2002, which is a forecast rather than a last-build record.

Production endpoints already past 25 years

Two manufacturer records give production endpoints that are now more than 25 years back, counting from the month named.

• Toyota's record says Chaser production was discontinued in June 2001, so cars built through that month reached 25 years by June 2026.
• Nissan's release says production of the previous Fairlady Z terminated in August 2000, so cars built through that month reached 25 years by August 2025.

Model codes

A model code does not give a production date. Toyota uses the JZX100 code for the sixth-generation Chaser (JZX100 is the 2.5-litre model there) and for the eighth-generation Mark II, so a listing needs the nameplate and configuration as well as the code.

Toyota's Japanese records give the second-generation Celsior model numbers UCF20 and UCF21 and the third-generation numbers UCF30 and UCF31.

EPA emissions rules

EPA applies its own age test. Its Form 3520-1, code E, covers a "vehicle at least 21 years old (calendar year of manufacture subtracted from year of importation) and in original unmodified configuration". EPA's regulation at 40 CFR 85.1502 defines original production years old as the vehicle's age "determined by subtracting the original production year of the vehicle from the calendar year of importation".

So EPA counts calendar years and NHTSA counts from the manufacture month. A car built in 2005 is 21 original production years old throughout calendar 2026 but reaches NHTSA's 25-year line only during 2030.

The form says vehicles at least 21 years old with replacement engines are not eligible unless the replacement engine is the same model as originally installed, or an engine with any aftertreatment from a certified vehicle no older than the one being imported. EPA's page reads the equivalence requirement as an identical engine, "the same model and configuration as the original engine". EPA encourages importers to contact its Imports Hotline (imports@epa.gov or 734-214-4100) before importation.

EPA says importers of nonconforming vehicles must, before shipping, either arrange for an Independent Commercial Importer to modify, test and certify the vehicle or obtain EPA pre-approval for an exemption. It adds that Customs or EPA can seize or export goods that arrive without them.

Younger cars and non-road declarations

A car under 25 years old needs another federal route. Under 49 CFR 591.5(f), a vehicle that does not conform to the safety and bumper standards can be imported with a bond equal to 150% of the dutiable value, NHTSA registration or a contract with a registered importer, and an NHTSA determination that the model and model year are eligible.

A nonresident can import a nonconforming vehicle for personal use for no more than one year if it is registered in another country. The importer may not sell it in that time and must export it within one year (49 CFR 591.5(d)).

HS-7 item 8 is for a vehicle "not manufactured primarily for use on the public roads". EPA's 40 CFR 85.1511(e) says racing vehicles may not be registered, licensed or operated on public roads and highways in the United States.

State registration

California's DMV says some imported vehicles cannot be registered in California, or in the U.S. It says vehicles imported from other countries must meet the requirements of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, EPA, the Department of Transportation, the IRS, the California Air Resources Board and the California Board of Equalization.

California DMV requires evidence of customs clearance and lists relevant import documents. CBP's guidance to state DMVs (17 May 2016) says it will stamp only Form 7501 or its ACE equivalent on request, and will not stamp HS-7 or EPA Form 3520-1. Confirm the documents applicable to your entry with California DMV; the listed forms are not all required for every import.

• State guides: California, Florida, New York, Texas and Washington.