What is the 25-year rule for importing a car from Japan to the US?

Federal law (49 CFR 591.5) bars non-compliant vehicles manufactured within the last 25 years from being imported. In practice, if the car was built on or before 1 January 2001, it qualifies for the classic car exemption and can be imported using DOT HS-7 and EPA 3520-1 declarations. Anything newer effectively cannot be imported under the standard route.

Which JDM cars are 25-year eligible right now?

In 2026, any Japanese domestic market car manufactured in 2001 or earlier qualifies. Key examples include the Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 (built 1989–1994), R33 GT-R (1995–1998), Toyota A80 Supra (1993–2002 for some build dates), Honda NSX (1990–2005 for some builds), and early Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution generations. Our team confirms the exact build date for any specific car.

Can a right-hand-drive Japanese car be registered in the US?

Right-hand drive is generally legal for use on public roads in most US states, though state rules vary. Federal import is unrestricted on the RHD question — the 25-year eligibility is what matters federally. Our team flags any state-specific registration requirements for your intended location.

What customs duty do I pay on a Japanese car in the US?

Passenger cars pay 2.5% customs duty on the imported value — one of the lowest rates in any market we serve. Pickup trucks and cargo vans pay 25% (the "chicken tax"), though most SUVs are classed as passenger cars at 2.5%. A 25+ year-old classic is exempt from the 25% Section 232 auto tariff that applies to newer imports, so it still pays only the 2.5% base duty. State sales tax applies separately at registration.

How do I import a car to the US from Japan through you?

Contact our licensed team with your target car or ask us to source a 25-year-eligible JDM model for you. We confirm eligibility, source it at USS auction, prepare the HS-7 and EPA 3520-1 documentation, ship to Los Angeles or Baltimore, handle CBP clearance, and coordinate state registration — giving you a full landed cost before you commit.

Cost to import a car from Japan to United States

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

The United States is a left-hand-drive market, and Japanese domestic stock is right-hand drive — which means the 25-year rule is the single most important fact for any buyer considering importing from Japan. Federal law bars non-compliant vehicles built within the last 25 years from being imported except under very narrow exemptions; effectively, if a car was built after 2001 (in 2026), it cannot be imported under the standard JDM classic exemption. However, cars that are 25 years or older are fully importable without requiring DOT/FMVSS or EPA certification, and this has made JDM icons like the Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32, R33), Toyota Supra (A80), Honda NSX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution legitimate and growing targets for US collectors. The tax side is manageable: passenger cars pay only 2.5% customs duty, and while trucks pay 25%, the main Japanese classics being imported are passenger cars. State sales tax applies at registration. Right-hand drive is legal on private property and in some states for road use, though local registration rules vary. When you import a car from Japan to the United States, our licensed team confirms your specific vehicle's 25-year eligibility, handles the HS-7 and EPA 3520-1 forms, and manages the customs process at Los Angeles or Baltimore.

Main ports: Port of Los Angeles / Long Beach
Port of Baltimore
Import age rule: 25-year minimum age (FMVSS); EPA exemption at 21 years.
Steering: LHD
Duties & taxes: Base 2.5% car duty (25% on trucks), 25+ year cars exempt from the 25% Section 232 auto tariff — but a US–Japan 15% reciprocal tariff (Sept 2025, volatile) may raise the effective duty; confirm at entry. A 25-YEAR minimum-age rule bars most JDM cars; state sales tax applies at registration.

Loading calculator…

Estimate only — duties, freight and last-mile delivery vary and policies change. Our team confirms exact, current figures on WhatsApp before any bid.

How to import a car from Japan to United States

Confirm the 25-year eligibility rule
The first and non-negotiable check: the car must have been manufactured at least 25 years before the date of import. In 2026 that means a model manufactured on or before 1 January 2001. Our team confirms exact eligibility — build date matters, not model year alone.
We source it from Japan's auctions
With our licensed USS auction access, we find the right 25-year-eligible car, read the auction sheet and grade, and verify condition. We know which JDM classics hold their value and which grades to target.
HS-7 and EPA 3520-1 documentation
We prepare the DOT HS-7 declaration and EPA Form 3520-1 needed to import a 25-year-old vehicle under the classic car exemption, confirming that the car qualifies on both safety and emissions grounds.
Ocean shipping to LA or Baltimore
The car sails to the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach (for the West Coast) or Port of Baltimore (for the East Coast and Midwest). We provide the sailing schedule and full tracking.
CBP customs, 2.5% duty and fees
Our team handles US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) clearance at the port, pays 2.5% customs duty on the imported value for passenger cars, and completes the port paperwork.
State registration
After federal clearance the car is taken for state-level registration. Rules on right-hand-drive road use vary by state — our team flags any state-specific requirements so you register it correctly.

Import duties & taxes in United States explained

The US charges 2.5% customs duty on imported passenger cars, making the federal tax rate one of the lowest in any market we serve. However, the 25-year rule is the real gating factor: vehicles built within the last 25 years cannot be imported without meeting full DOT/FMVSS and EPA standards, which in practice bars virtually all standard JDM used cars. Vehicles that are 25 years or older clear that gate and enter under the classic car exemption using the DOT HS-7 and EPA 3520-1 declarations (the EPA exemption is reached even earlier, at 21 years). Pickup trucks and cargo vans pay the 25% "chicken tax" rather than 2.5%, so classification matters — but most SUVs are classed as passenger cars at 2.5%. Importantly, a 25+ year-old classic is also exempt from the 25% Section 232 auto tariff introduced in 2025, so it still pays only the 2.5% base duty. State sales tax applies at registration and varies by state. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for United States

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32)
The R32 GT-R turned 25 in 2014 and has been one of the most sought-after JDM imports in the US ever since — AWD, twin-turbo RB26 and iconic status make it a proven collector car.
See prices
Toyota Supra (A80)
The A80 Supra entered 25-year eligibility and demand from collectors is high — the 2JZ engine and clean JDM examples command serious attention in the US market.
See prices
Honda NSX
Early-generation NSX examples are now 25+ years old, and JDM-spec cars in clean condition are increasingly rare — a genuine Japanese sports car with a US following.
See prices
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R33)
The R33 GT-R crossed the 25-year mark recently and is attracting collector buyers who missed the R32 wave — cleaner and rarer than its predecessor in many grades.
See prices
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Early Evo generations are 25-year eligible and appeal to enthusiasts wanting a rally-bred AWD JDM classic with strong parts support in the US.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in United States

Los Angeles — You are at the West Coast port, so local delivery for a sedan runs roughly $150.
Baltimore — You are at the East Coast port, so local delivery for a sedan runs roughly $150.
New York — Delivery from Baltimore to New York adds roughly $450 for a sedan.
Atlanta — Delivery from Baltimore to Atlanta adds roughly $760 for a sedan.
Chicago — Delivery from Baltimore to Chicago adds roughly $780 for a sedan.
Houston — Delivery from Baltimore to Houston adds roughly $1,460 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 25-year rule for importing a car from Japan to the US?: Federal law (49 CFR 591.5) bars non-compliant vehicles manufactured within the last 25 years from being imported. In practice, if the car was built on or before 1 January 2001, it qualifies for the classic car exemption and can be imported using DOT HS-7 and EPA 3520-1 declarations. Anything newer effectively cannot be imported under the standard route.
Which JDM cars are 25-year eligible right now?: In 2026, any Japanese domestic market car manufactured in 2001 or earlier qualifies. Key examples include the Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 (built 1989–1994), R33 GT-R (1995–1998), Toyota A80 Supra (1993–2002 for some build dates), Honda NSX (1990–2005 for some builds), and early Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution generations. Our team confirms the exact build date for any specific car.
Can a right-hand-drive Japanese car be registered in the US?: Right-hand drive is generally legal for use on public roads in most US states, though state rules vary. Federal import is unrestricted on the RHD question — the 25-year eligibility is what matters federally. Our team flags any state-specific registration requirements for your intended location.
What customs duty do I pay on a Japanese car in the US?: Passenger cars pay 2.5% customs duty on the imported value — one of the lowest rates in any market we serve. Pickup trucks and cargo vans pay 25% (the "chicken tax"), though most SUVs are classed as passenger cars at 2.5%. A 25+ year-old classic is exempt from the 25% Section 232 auto tariff that applies to newer imports, so it still pays only the 2.5% base duty. State sales tax applies separately at registration.
How do I import a car to the US from Japan through you?: Contact our licensed team with your target car or ask us to source a 25-year-eligible JDM model for you. We confirm eligibility, source it at USS auction, prepare the HS-7 and EPA 3520-1 documentation, ship to Los Angeles or Baltimore, handle CBP clearance, and coordinate state registration — giving you a full landed cost before you commit.