Import & Grey Market
25-Year Import Eligibility Checker
Enter a car's month and year of manufacture to see the date it turns 25 for the NHTSA import exemption, the EPA 21-year date, and a live countdown — plus which build months become eligible this year and next.
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How to Use This Tool
- Find the manufacture date on the car's compliance plate, door-jamb sticker, or export certificate — it is the build month, not the model year or first-registration date.
- Select that month and year (add the model name if you want it shown in the result).
- Read the NHTSA 25-year eligible date and the live countdown; the status flips to Eligible now once the date has passed.
- Use the this-year / next-year table to see which build months cross the line soon, then verify paperwork with NHTSA, EPA, CBP, and your state DMV.
The Formula & Physics Behind the Math
Under 49 CFR 591.5(i), a motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old can be imported without meeting the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Age is measured from the date of manufacture, so the tool adds exactly 25 years to the build month and treats the first day of that month as the eligible date (built March 1999 → eligible March 1, 2024). EPA has a separate emissions exemption for vehicles at least 21 years old that remain in original, unmodified configuration, so the same build month plus 21 years is shown alongside. The countdown is computed in your browser against your device clock. Nothing here checks a specific model, VIN, or state — it is date math on the manufacture month only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the 25-year rule calculated — model year or build date?
By date of manufacture. NHTSA's exemption in 49 CFR 591.5(i) applies to vehicles at least 25 years old, measured from the month and year the car was built. A 1999 model year car built in October 1998 becomes eligible in October 2023, while one built in August 1999 waits until August 2024.
What is the difference between the NHTSA 25-year and EPA 21-year exemptions?
They are separate federal rules. NHTSA's 25-year exemption covers safety standards (FMVSS). EPA exempts vehicles at least 21 years old from emissions certification if they are in original configuration. In practice most enthusiasts wait for 25 years because both agencies must be satisfied before the car can enter.
Does eligibility mean I can register the car in my state?
Not automatically. Federal import eligibility gets the car through customs; titling, registration, emissions, and inspection are decided by your state. California and a few other states apply their own emissions rules to imported vehicles, so check with your DMV before you buy.
What paperwork is involved when importing a 25-year-old car?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection handles entry. Importers typically file the DOT HS-7 declaration claiming the 25-year exemption and the EPA 3520-1 form, along with the bill of lading, foreign title or export certificate, and bill of sale. Many buyers use a licensed customs broker.
Can I bring the car in a few days early and store it?
No. A vehicle that arrives at a U.S. port before it is 25 years old does not qualify for the exemption and can be seized or required to be exported. Time shipping so the car lands after the eligible date shown here.