The 25-Year Import Rule Explained

The "25-year rule" is the single most important thing to understand about importing a JDM car into the United States. In short: once a vehicle is 25 years or older, it can be legally imported and registered without meeting modern US-market safety and emissions standards. Here is exactly how it works, and which cars — including the famous Nissan Skyline GT-R — are legal to import right now.

By Magic Motorsports · Updated 2026-07-18

What is the 25-year import rule?

US federal law lets you import a vehicle that is at least 25 years old without it complying with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) exempts vehicles 25+ years old, and the EPA exempts original-configuration vehicles that are 21+ years old from its emissions requirements. Because most JDM cars were never sold in the US and don't meet those modern standards, the 25-year mark is what makes them importable.

Two key points: eligibility is based on the month and year of manufacture (not just the model year), and the car should remain in largely original configuration to keep the exemption simple.

Which Nissan Skylines are legal to import now?

As of 2026:

• R32 Skyline GT-R (1989–1994) — fully eligible.
• R33 Skyline GT-R (1993–1998) — fully eligible.
• R34 Skyline GT-R (1999–2002) — phasing in. 1999 and 2000 models are eligible now; 2001 and 2002 cars become legal on a rolling, month-by-month basis through 2027 as each unit crosses 25 years.

Because R34 eligibility is rolling, the exact car matters — a January 2001 build becomes eligible before a December 2001 build. If you have your eye on a not-yet-eligible R34, we can purchase and store it in Japan until it qualifies.

Other popular JDM cars and eligibility

The same 25-year clock applies to every model. Cars generally eligible now include:

• Nissan Silvia — S13 and S14 are eligible; S15 (1999–2002) is phasing in through 2027.
• Toyota Supra (A80 / Mk4, 1993–2002) — earlier build years eligible now, later ones phasing in.
• Mazda RX-7 (FD, 1992–2002) — earlier years eligible, later phasing in.
• Toyota Chaser / Mark II (JZX90/JZX100) — largely eligible.
• Honda NSX, Civic Type R (EK9), Integra Type R — 1990s builds eligible or phasing in by year.

Kei cars, vans, and other JDM oddities follow the same rule. Browse what's available by make on our dealer stock pages.

How do you register a 25-year import?

Once the car clears US customs under the 25-year exemption (EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7 filed at import), you obtain a US title and then register it with your state DMV like any other used vehicle. Requirements vary by state — some ask for a VIN inspection or safety/emissions check appropriate to the vehicle's age. We assist with the title step so the car is ready to register.

Not 25 years old yet? Your options

If the exact car you want hasn't crossed 25 years, the simplest route is to buy now and store it in Japan until it becomes eligible — which locks in that specific car and price. There is also a narrower federal path, NHTSA's Show or Display exemption, for a handful of rare, significant models (see below). For normal street use, though, waiting or storing is by far the most common route.

The "Show or Display" exception (for rare cars under 25)

There is one federal path to import a car that is not yet 25 years old: NHTSA's Show or Display rule (in effect since 1999). It allows a vehicle that is historically or technologically significant — but it is narrow, with real strings attached:

• The exact model (sometimes a specific variant or VIN range) must already be on NHTSA's approved Show or Display list, or you petition NHTSA to add it.
• It is meant for limited-production cars (NHTSA uses roughly 500 units as a guideline).
• You may drive it no more than 2,500 miles per year — a collector/display car, not a daily driver.
• It still has to satisfy the EPA: either 21+ years old, or it meets US emissions on its own.

NHTSA's list has long included significant JDM cars — the early 1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) (a specific VIN run), the Subaru Impreza 22B STi (1998), the Subaru SVX, the Mazda Cosmo (1994–95), and R34 GT-R special editions. Many of those are now 25+ years old and simply come in the normal way, so today Show or Display matters most for newer significant cars still under 25; NHTSA adds to the list over time.

You can check the current official list here: NHTSA Show or Display eligible vehicles list (updated March 2026). If there is a specific rare car you can't wait on, tell us and we will check whether Show or Display is an option — otherwise the 25-year route is simpler.

Import your dream JDM car

Whether it's an R32 you can import today or an R34 you want to reserve, Magic Motorsports handles it all in one place — sourcing, inspection, shipping, US customs, duty, and title — so you just pick the car. Call 703-249-9922, contact us, or read our complete guide to importing a car from Japan.

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