You can import a car from Japan to the United States if it is at least 25 years old (counted from its date of manufacture), because it is then exempt from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). A newer Japan-market car can only come in through a Registered Importer, and only if NHTSA has found that model eligible.
Key takeaways
- The 25-year rule is a safety (NHTSA) rule, counted from the date of manufacture, not the model year.
- Emissions are a separate test: the EPA also has to be satisfied, and it has its own provision for vehicles over 21 years old in original configuration.
- At the port, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) needs the bill of lading, bill of sale, foreign registration, NHTSA form HS-7 and EPA form 3520-1.
1. Check the car’s age and eligibility
Start with the date of manufacture. It decides almost everything else.
25 years or older. NHTSA says a motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old can be imported without regard to whether it complies with the FMVSS. The age is based on the date of manufacture. If there is no manufacturer’s label showing that date, you need documents such as a registration record showing the car was registered at least 25 years ago.
Under 25 years old. The car must comply with all applicable FMVSS. A Japan-market car was not built to U.S. standards, so it can only be imported by a Registered Importer (RI), or by you under a contract with an RI, and only if NHTSA has decided the model is eligible. NHTSA makes these decisions by make, model and model year, so check its list of eligible vehicles before you buy. A bond is also required so the RI can complete the modifications.
Right-hand drive matters here too. NHTSA explains that a right-hand-drive version may not be treated as “substantially similar” to a U.S.-certified left-hand-drive car, which can make a newer Japanese car ineligible.
You can browse cars in Japan on our used car stock page. Autocom has no office in the United States, so you deal directly with our head office in Yokohama (sales@autocj.co.jp, +81-45-227-7095). Before you pay, ask us to confirm the date of manufacture and send you the documents that prove it. Our United States import rules hub collects related guides.
2. Check the EPA emissions rules
Passing the 25-year safety rule does not settle emissions. The Clean Air Act prohibits importing a vehicle that does not conform to EPA emission standards unless an exclusion or exemption applies.
- Vehicles over 21 years old. The EPA has a provision for these, but it reads it strictly: the engine must be identical to the one the car was built with (same model and configuration). The EPA encourages importers to contact its Imports Hotline before importing such a car.
- Non-conforming vehicles. These can come in only if they are modified, tested and certified by an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI), or temporarily under a specific EPA exemption (for example testing, display, repair or racing).
The EPA warns that CBP can seize or re-export a vehicle that arrives without the right ICI arrangements or a valid exemption. Sort this out before the car is shipped.
3. Prepare the import paperwork
CBP lists the documents needed to enter a car. Gather them before the ship arrives:
- The shipper’s or carrier’s original bill of lading
- The bill of sale (your invoice)
- The foreign registration; for a car from Japan, ask for the original export certificate
- NHTSA form HS-7: a car 25 years or older is declared under Box 1
- EPA form 3520-1
You may use a licensed customs broker to file the entry for you. Many first-time importers do.
4. Clear customs and pay the charges
CBP collects customs duty on imported cars. How much depends on the type of vehicle (a passenger car and a truck are treated differently) and its value. Some imported cars with poor fuel economy may also be subject to the gas-guzzler tax, and your broker will tell you about any other entry fees.
We don’t quote these figures because they are set by the U.S. government and can change. Check the current position with CBP or your broker before you buy. Our landed cost checklist shows every part of the final price.
5. Register the car in your state
Once the car has cleared customs, you register it with your state’s motor vehicle agency. Each state sets its own paperwork, and some also require a safety inspection or emissions test. Check your state’s rules before you buy, not after the car arrives.
Buying safely from Japan
For a 25-year-old car, the condition report matters more than ever. Ask for the auction sheet and photos, and read how buying from a Japanese auction works.
Pay only into a bank account in Japan whose beneficiary is “Autocom Japan Inc.” (see the official list on our bank accounts page). Any request to pay someone else is fraud. Our guide on how to avoid scams when buying cars from Japan explains the warning signs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 25-year rule counted from the model year?
No. NHTSA counts from the date of manufacture. If the car has no original manufacturer’s label with that date, keep documents such as an old registration record that show its age.
Can I import a 2010 Japanese car to the USA?
Only through a Registered Importer, and only if NHTSA has found that make, model and model year eligible. It must also meet EPA emission rules, usually through an Independent Commercial Importer.
Which forms do I need at the port?
CBP asks for the bill of lading, bill of sale, foreign registration, NHTSA form HS-7 and EPA form 3520-1. A licensed customs broker can file the entry for you.
Does the 25-year rule also cover emissions?
No. It is an NHTSA safety rule. The EPA has its own provision for cars over 21 years old, and it expects the engine to be the original model and configuration.
Does Autocom have an office in the USA?
No. U.S. buyers deal directly with our head office in Yokohama, and payments go only to Autocom Japan Inc. bank accounts in Japan.
Sources
- NHTSA: Importation and certification FAQs (checked 1 Oct 2026)
- NHTSA: Importing a vehicle (checked 1 Oct 2026)
- U.S. EPA: Learn about importing vehicles and engines (updated 1 Sep 2026)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Importing a motor vehicle (checked 1 Oct 2026)
