Issue #12 · 14, 2026
The 25 Year Rule
Published September 14, 2026
Japanese Auto News
Vehicles at least 25 years old are officially exempt from the 25% Section 232 tariff on imported passenger vehicles and light trucks, confirmed in May 2026 customs guidance. Classic JDM imports qualifying under the 25-year rule continue to pay only the standard 2.5% duty.
A 1996 NISMO 400R sold for $857,000 at Broad Arrow's Monterey Car Week auction in August, alongside a rare TRD 3000GT. The Gran Turismo generation of tuner-era JDM cars is finding strong demand among younger collectors.
Major Japanese auction house Arai announced revised terms and conditions for construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and parts auctions, effective September 1, 2026. The changes affect commission structure and lot listing regulations across multiple auction segments.
Yen Snapshot
¥1 JPY =
$0.0065
USD · as of Sep 14, 2026
Live rate as of Sep 14, 2026. Don't forget to factor the 27.5% import duty into your landed cost — use the calculator for your exact numbers.
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Landed cost estimates include shipping (~$1,500), US customs duty (27.5%), broker fees, and port handling. Actual costs vary. Use the calculator for your exact numbers →
September 2001 Becomes Eligible
Cars manufactured in September 2001 became NHTSA-eligible on September 1, 2026. This isn't about model year — it's about build month, stamped on the door jamb or compliance plate. Eligibility runs vehicle by vehicle, and auction sellers don't always check the date for you. The doorjamb matters more than the title.
Honda Integra Type R (DC5)
The K20A-powered successor to the DC2, built from July 2001 forward. 8,000-rpm redline, close-ratio 6-speed, and Honda's last naturally aspirated Type R before turbo took over. The DC5 swapped pop-up headlights for aggressive angles and kept the high-revving soul intact. Prices at auction remain competitive — for now.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII (CT9A)
The first Evo built on the new-generation platform, launched February 2001. Refined AYC, revised 4G63T tuning, and sharper steering response over the VI. This is the Evo that moved the car from rally homologation special to legitimate road weapon. WRC success fed directly into showroom credibility.
Honda Civic Type R (EP3)
Front-wheel drive, 2.0-liter i-VTEC K20A, and the controversial decision to move the engine behind the front axle for better weight distribution. It worked. The EP3 is lighter, sharper, and louder than the EK9 it replaced — and was never sold in the U.S. September 2001 builds are now clearing customs.
Check the Build Date, Not the Model Year
A 2001 model-year car built in December 2001 is not eligible until December 2026. Japanese auction listings often show model year only — the compliance plate or door jamb tells the real story.
- →Verify manufacture date from VIN plate, door jamb, or seatbelt tag before bidding
- →Japanese export certificates show production month — request it from your agent
- →Customs uses date of manufacture, not registration date or model year designation
- →September 2001 cars cleared September 1, 2026 — not January 1
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