Import Legal Calendar輸入解禁カレンダー
Under the US 25-year rule, Japanese cars become legal to import the month they turn 25 — counted from the month the individual car was built, not its model year. Here is what crosses the line this year.
Eligibility runs from the month the individual car was built — always check the specific car, not the model year. Under 49 USC §30112(b)(9), a vehicle is exempt from FMVSS once it is at least 25 years old, counted from its manufacture date on the door-jamb compliance plate, not its Japanese model-year or grade name.
January 2026
- Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R (2001-built examples)S15 production ran continuously from 1999 to August 2002 with no major spec break, so every 2001-built Spec-R clears the 25-year mark on its own build anniversary sometime during 2026 — the first of them from January.
- Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR34, 2001-built)The V-Spec II trim launched in October 2000 and continued through 2001, so 2001-built V-Spec IIs begin reaching 25 years old at the start of 2026, each on its individual manufacture-month anniversary.
February 2026
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII (CT9A, built from February 2001)The Evo VII went on sale in Japan on February 3, 2001, so no Evo VII exists with an earlier build date — cars from its first production run become import-eligible starting February 2026.
May 2026
- Nissan Skyline GT-R M-Spec (BNR34, built from May 2001)The M-Spec grade — a V-Spec II-based trim with Ripple Control dampers, a stiffer rear anti-roll bar, and a leather interior in place of the carbon hood — was released in May 2001, so the earliest M-Spec cars turn 25 in May 2026.
July 2026
- Honda Integra Type R (DC5, built from July 2001)The DC5-generation Integra Type R went on sale in Japan on July 2, 2001, following Honda's April 2001 model-change announcement; cars built from that date begin clearing 25 years in July 2026.
August 2026
- Mazda RX-7 Type R Bathurst R (FD3S, built from August 2001, 500 units)This limited-edition, Type R-based RX-7 with height-adjustable dampers and an exclusive Sunburst Yellow color option went on sale August 30, 2001 per Mazda's official press release, limited to 500 units nationwide.
September 2026
- Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type B (GDB, facelift from September 2001)The GDB-chassis WRX STI's mid-cycle 'Applied B' update — revised grille/body styling and the STi Spec C replacing the Type RA — landed in September 2001, so Type B-spec cars begin turning 25 in September 2026.
December 2026
- Mazda RX-7 Type R Bathurst (FD3S, built from December 2001)A second, distinct Bathurst-badged RX-7 special edition — separate from the August 2001 Bathurst R — went on sale December 10, 2001 per Mazda's official press release, and becomes import-eligible from December 2026.
- Honda Civic Type R (EP3, on sale from December 2001)The Japan-market Civic Type R announced in October 2001 and on sale from December 6 — famously built at Honda's Swindon plant in the UK and shipped to Japan, making it a JDM model with a British birthplace. The 25-year exemption follows each car's individual build month, so the earliest cars clear the line around late 2026.
Last updated: 2026-08-12