Issue #5 · 27, 2026
The 25 Year Rule
Published July 27, 2026
Japanese Auto News
<cite index="20-1,20-4">The tariffs on Japanese automobiles were cut to 15% from 27.5% in September, but the revised rate is still far higher than the 2.5% before the inauguration of the second Trump administration in January 2025.</cite> The article notes that combined tariff costs at six major Japanese automakers exceeded ¥2.4 trillion in fiscal 2025.
<cite index="19-11,19-12">The Trump administration announced on July 23, 2026, new additional tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act targeting 60 countries and regions, including Japan. The tariff rate applied to Japan is set at 12.5% in principle and will take effect at 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on July 24.</cite> Relief provisions ensure no overlap with existing auto and metals tariffs.
Yen Snapshot
¥1 JPY =
$0.0061
USD · as of Jul 27, 2026
Live rate as of Jul 27, 2026. Don't forget to factor the 27.5% import duty into your landed cost — use the calculator for your exact numbers.
Section 122 Expired July 24; New 12.5% Framework in Effect
— Trade UpdateSection 122 Expired July 24; New 12.5% Framework in Effect
The temporary 10% Section 122 surcharge on Japan-origin goods expired at midnight on July 24, replaced immediately by a new 12.5% tariff under Section 301 authority. For 25-year-eligible vehicles, nothing changes—you're still exempt. For newer imports and parts, the effective rate shifts slightly depending on product category and whether relief provisions apply. The tariff environment remains fluid; confirm current duty rates with your broker before quoting landed cost on any non-exempt chassis.
Featured From the Feed
2001 Honda S2000
AP1 · BLACK · 117000 km · 2000 cc · Grade 4
2001 AP1 in black with 117k km and a grade 4 sheet—that's mid-production refinement without the late-run mileage creep. Lands at $26k, which is still reasonable for a sorted example.
Auction
¥2,850,000
USD Est.
$19,380
Landed
$26,180
2001 Nissan Silvia S15
S15 · BLUE · 122000 km · 2000 cc · Grade 3.5
2001 S15 in blue, 122k km, grade 3.5, landing at $30,824. The premium reflects condition and color; this is what clean late S15s are trading for when they hit the block with documentation.
Auction
¥3,533,000
USD Est.
$24,024
Landed
$30,824
2000 Toyota Chaser
JZX100 · WHITE · 120000 km · 2500 cc
2000 JZX100 Chaser in white, 120k km, estimated landed cost $31,450. The 1JZ sedans are steady: reliable, tuneable, and increasingly hard to find unmolested.
Auction
¥3,625,000
USD Est.
$24,650
Landed
$31,450
1990 Mazda RX-7 FD
FD3S · BLACK · 138000 km · N/A · Grade 3.5
1990 FD3S RX-7 in black, 138k km, grade 3.5, landing at $21,828. The FD market has cooled slightly from its 2024 peak, but clean examples still move quickly.
Auction
¥2,210,000
USD Est.
$15,028
Landed
$21,828
1998 Nissan Bluebird SSS
HU14 · PEARL · 7000 km · 2000 cc
1998 Bluebird SSS with only 7k km and a pearl finish—likely a time capsule or enthusiast-owned garage queen. At $18,224 landed, it's a fascinating oddball for SR20 fans.
Auction
¥1,680,000
USD Est.
$11,424
Landed
$18,224
2000 Nissan Stagea
WC34 · PEARL · 202000 km · 2600 cc · Grade 3.5
2000 Stagea WC34 in pearl, 202k km, grade 3.5, landing at $18,251. High mileage, but the RB25 wagon crowd doesn't scare easily—these are bought to be driven.
Auction
¥1,684,000
USD Est.
$11,451
Landed
$18,251
1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI
CP9A · N/A · 90000 km · 1990 cc · Grade 3.5
1996 Evo VI (CP9A) with 90k km and grade 3.5, landing at $12,580. The pre-VII cars are aging into the accessible tier; this one's a project-ready platform.
Auction
¥850,000
USD Est.
$5,780
Landed
$12,580
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 →
Cars Manufactured in July 2001 Became Eligible This Week
If you've been waiting for a specific VIN from mid-2001, this is your moment. US import eligibility is build-date specific, not model-year: <cite index="27-8">vehicles become eligible based on exact manufacturing date—January 2001 manufacture qualifies January 2026, December 2001 manufacture requires waiting until December 2026 for legal importation.</cite> That means the best examples from July 2001 production runs—Evo VII early builds, later S15 Spec-Rs, AP1 S2000s with refinements—are clearing customs right now. July also brought a separate shift: <cite index="25-1">the Section 122 surcharge expired July 24, 2026</cite>, dropping the temporary 10% ad valorem layer that had applied to Japan-origin vehicles since February. For 25-year-eligible cars, the change is moot—you were already exempt. But for any newer chassis you're eyeing for future import or parts sourcing, the tariff environment just simplified.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII (CT9A)
First Evolution with the 4G63 MIVEC—280 PS, Brembo brakes, ACD, and titanium turbine. The VII is lighter and sharper than the VIII/IX that followed, and 2001 production just crossed the threshold.
Honda Integra Type R (DC5) (DC5)
The JDM-only sedan Type R with the K20A screaming to 8,000 rpm, helical LSD, Brembo 4-pots, and Recaro buckets. The USDM RSX Type-S got none of it. 2001 marked the DC5's debut year.
Nissan Skyline V35 (350GT) (V35)
The first Skyline without the GT-R halo—VQ35DE power, rear-drive or AWD, and the beginning of the Infiniti G35 platform. Historically significant as the nameplate's pivot point, and 2001 examples are newly legal.
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