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FIELD MANUAL · 25-YEAR RULE

The import guide.

Five short chapters covering the rule, the paperwork, the freight, the duty, and the state title. Save this page — you'll come back to it.

CHAPTER 01

The 25-Year Rule

The U.S. FMVSS + EPA exemption kicks in 25 years after the vehicle's month of production. A car built in June 2001 becomes fully legal to import in June 2026 — not January.

CHECKLIST
  • Confirm the exact month of production, not just the model year.
  • Order the manufacturer's build sheet — dealer letter is not enough.
  • Verify the car is unmodified vs. its factory spec.
CHAPTER 02

Origin & Paperwork

Every port asks for the same core stack: title, bill of sale, deregistration certificate from the exporting country, and a HS-Code invoice. Missing one = the car sits in bond.

CHECKLIST
  • Original title / registration certificate (or export cert).
  • Notarized bill of sale in English.
  • Deregistration or export permit from origin country.
  • HS 8703 commercial invoice.
CHAPTER 03

Freight — RoRo vs. Container

RoRo is faster and cheaper; container is safer for rare/high-value cars. Yokohama → Los Angeles runs about 14 days; Bremerhaven → NYC about 12 days.

CHECKLIST
  • RoRo: use for daily-driver imports under $50k.
  • Container (20ft): high-value, delicate paint, low-mileage classics.
  • Insure at declared value, not book value.
CHAPTER 04

Customs & Duty

U.S. duty on passenger vehicles is 2.5% of declared value, plus your state's use tax on titling. Trucks are 25% — do not import a Delica if it's registered as a truck without a broker.

CHECKLIST
  • Duty: 2.5% (cars) or 25% (light trucks).
  • HTSUS declaration filed by licensed customs broker.
  • EPA Form 3520-1 + DOT HS-7 (both required, exemption box checked).
CHAPTER 05

Titling in Your State

Some states (CA, HI, RI) add smog / gray-market checks. Most states will title on the CBP 7501 + bill of sale within 30–90 days of arrival. Do a state-specific search before wiring the deposit.

CHECKLIST
  • CBP Form 7501 (stamped by customs).
  • Original title from origin country.
  • Local safety / emissions certification if required.
NEXT

Run the numbers.

Use the calculator to see landed cost — duty, freight, port handling — for the car you have in mind.

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