What Is The 25-Year Rule For Importing Cars?

Get More Media Coverage

Car enthusiasts across the U.S. are always on the prowl for imported vehicles they can get behind the wheel of. With the explosion of intrigue in foreign cars over the past few decades, more and more car collectors are growing each day. As soon as the 25-year rule lifts, you can expect many drivers to sport their recent imports on the road or store their brand-new acquisitions in a private garage. 

But what is the 25-year rule? 

A Brief History of Car Imports

Importing cars under the 25-year rule has been a process since first put in place by the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988 (VSCA). Before then, car enthusiasts would import vehicles from around the world into the U.S. They would typically save money by looking for motor vehicles overseas and obtain access to a broader selection of beautiful cars. 

However, many of these cars were not made for American markets and didn’t meet the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission regulations or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety regulations. Some imports wouldn’t come from legitimate dealerships, making them modified versions of other cars on the market. During that time, the United States had a thriving “gray import” market. 

As car manufacturers became concerned over their losses, motorists were driving cars that didn’t comply with safety standards, so the NHTSA and EPA began regulating car imports in the ‘80s. While regulations have shifted over the years, the 25-year rule has been one of the more consistent rules. 

The 25-Year Rule 

The 25-year rule states that any vehicle over 25 can be imported into the U.S. without having to meet vehicle safety regulations. Any motor vehicle under 25 years old must comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) if you want to import them permanently into the U.S. The ruling represented a compromise for many collectors. They could have their imported vehicles and keep them as a “classic” or “antique” but still have to buy a vehicle that’s safe for American roads.

Importing Newly Eligible Cars 

Before choosing a car for importing, you must check with your state regulations to ensure it complies with their law. For example, California car collectors must comply with regulations that extend to any car made after 1975. 

EPA Regulations 

In addition, there’s a 21-year EPA compliance exemption that all collectors must follow, but it doesn’t pertain to all vehicles.

There are specific EPA regulations for the following:

* Heavy-duty highway engines (post-’70s models are exempt)

* Light duty vehicles (post-1968 models are exempt)

* Motorcycles (post-1978 models are exempt)

* Non-road engines (post-1966 models are exempt)

If your prized car is over 21 years old, younger than the EPA regulations, and has an EPA-compliant engine, you can move on to the next step: is your vehicle 25 years or older? 

If you want your car to be exempt from the 25-year rule, you need to prove which year the vehicle was manufactured. The only thing is that knowing the year the model was released on the market isn’t enough. You will also need to prove when the car was made. How? We’re glad you asked.

Proving the Vehicle’s Manufacturing Date 

There are a few ways you can prove when your desired car was manufactured: 

* An invoice from the car’s first sale

* A dated label on the vehicle from the manufacturer 

* A copy of the vehicle registration that’s 25 years or older

* A statement from a professional or recognized vehicle historical society that can identify its age

Once you obtain proof of the car’s manufacturing date, you can move on to the importing process. 

Is There a Way Around the 25-Year Rule?

Specific circumstances may make it possible for you to legally import a car into the USA. Depending on the type of vehicle, some models can get imported with the help of auto importers, while other vehicles may be eligible under the “Show and Display” rule. 

Registered Importers 

With the creation of the 1988 Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act, the Registered Importer program also rose in popularity. A registered U.S. car importer could have a garage where they carry out the proper modifications to bring overseas vehicles up to the standard safety regulations. 

This is how most car collectors bring older cars into the states. You must keep in mind that now all registered importers can work on every car model, so you may need to look around to find the right importer for the vehicle you have your eye on. 

Show & Display

In 1999, an amendment to the law made it possible for imported cars to be allowed into the states due to historical or technological significance. This is now known as the show and display ruling. 

If you want to qualify for this rule, there must be no more than 500 cars in existence for the specific model you want to import. Furthermore, you must also prove that the car hasn’t been driven for more than 2500 miles a year if you want to operate it on the road. 

You may also Import vehicles, mainly high-end sports cars, to be displayed at car shows or keep them in private garages amongst other collected vehicles. There are only 65 specific motor vehicles allowed for this use, and they can’t be operated on public highways or for daily transportation. 

If you’re considering importing a foreign vehicle into the United States, you must ensure you follow the correct safety regulations. To avoid the risk of a slip-up, consult with a professional importer. This way, you can rest easy knowing your dream car will be in your possession.