European Car Imports to the USA Under the 25 Year Rule

European CaR IMPORTS for THE US MARKET - The 25 year rule 

Our company has been exporting prestige cars all over the world since 2001, for trade & dealer buyers.  Now, for US based buyers we are able to offer 25 year old prestige cars from Europe for easy Customs entry into the US as the rules for bringing them into the US are pretty simple due to their age unlike newer age cars which are subject to severe restrictions. Yes, we think this makes no sense at all but rules are rules I guess ! (I mean, why would a newer vehicle with the latest emissions and safety standards be subject to more stringent checks on importation than an older 25 year old car ? )

I guess you have to look at the history behind this key decision being made. Back In 1988, the 'Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act' was put into law to address concerns of a large number of grey market cars entering the country where the required modifications that needed to be made in order to comply with US vehicle safety rules were being violated by many car importers (cheaply done work to cut corners) and thus putting people's lives at risk. Also, US car dealers were losing money to these cheaper grey market imports flooding the market and something had to be done about it. 

The ruling essentially bans the personal import of any foreign vehicle not intended for the US market however, there is a provision written into the act for vehicles over 25 years of age, reinforcing that cars over 25 years of age are deemed to be classics. The ruling meant that car collectors could still import their desired cars from abroad so long as they were over 25 years old, but with the fact that most people would purchase official US country specific cars from showrooms across the country for everyday driving thus keeping both sets of buyers happy.

what prestige cars are getting US based buyers excited ?

European car imports for the US - Benefit from the 25 year rule. 

US buyers now have a multitude of wonderful performance models that can be imported due to the 25 year age rule. These models were never available at the time to US based buyers so are highly sought after now. Models such as the Audi RS2, Porsche 964 RS, Porsche 968 Club Sport, Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo II, Renault Clio Williams, Porsche 993 GT2, Porsche 996 GT2, Porsche 996 GT3 (Mk1), BMW Alpina B10, BMW M3 CSL (E46) and many others are now possible for US importation and we can provide you with a bespoke buying service for these.

Tempt yourself to the 'Forbidden Fruit' of the European car market now ! 
Whether its European specification Ferraris with different drive trains (Ferrari 575M 'Manual') or trim levels or the appeal of less restrictive factory exhuast systems on a Mercedes or BMW model, our company can assist you in the sourcing of these fine European marques. Our service extends to shipping to most US port locations.  

Import a European Porsche 911 into the US...

Here is an example of a European import that is open for US buyers now, the infamous Porsche 996 GT2. Production of this model was between 2001 and 2005 for the European and Rest of the World market. 

US homologation never happened on this Mezger based twin turbo flat six RWD Porsche.  The reason this model was not sold in the US was due to emissions and other compliance issues the model faced.

Also,  very low production volumes did not really justify federal certification. Porsche’s strategy at the time was to keep the most extreme GT variants EU-focused.

Later, the 997 GT2 was homologated and sold in the US from 2008 onward, making the Porsche 996 GT2 the last GT2 generation completely absent from the US when new.

The time is right...Import a European car to the US

Now is a great time to import your desired European model into the US based on the 25 year rule. We welcome buyers to contact us but at the same time we also want to ensure that you receive a high level of customer service from our side, so our aim is to deal with buyers who are really serious about their purchase and have a real desire to import a specific model of their choice using the age related rule. 

Remember, you can benefit from : 
- Rare models never available in the US market
- Vehicle come with better specifications from Europe
- Historically significant vehicles are available in Europe
- RHD cars also available from the UK market if needed 

frequently asked questions : 

So, you've decided which model you want to import from Europe and now you're ready to delve into the exciting process of make your dream vehicle import enquiry.  Now you can start the process by completing the web form shown below on this page. What we do ask is that when you do enquire with us with a serious view to making a vehicle import purchase we always prefer to spend quality time with our buyers in the US to find the right car for them so hence, due to the time, expertise, and international resources required for each enquiry, we are unable to engage in speculative pricing requests or casual enquiries.

Which cars can you import to the US for me?
We work with US buyers who are looking for a specific vehicle that is at least 25 years old, because that is the age at which a vehicle becomes eligible to import into the United States under federal rules. Within that, our speciality is desirable European models, including many that were never sold new in the US. If you have a particular car in mind that meets the 25-year age requirement, then please tell us and we will look into sourcing the right example for you

What is the 25-year rule, in plain English?
It is the US exemption that lets a car aged 25 years or more be imported without having to meet current US safety standards. The clock runs from the car's month and year of manufacture, not its model year, so a car built in August 2000 becomes eligible in August 2025. Once a car passes that 25-year mark the process becomes straightforward, and that is exactly the kind of import we handle for you.

The car I am after is newer than 25 years. Can you still get it for me?
Honestly, in almost all cases no, and we would rather tell you that up front than waste your time. Cars under 25 years old cannot normally be imported into the US unless they meet full US safety and emissions standards, which European models generally do not. There is a narrow Show or Display route for a small, pre-approved list of exceptional cars, with a mileage limit, but it is the exception rather than the rule. If your car is close to 25 years old it may be worth waiting, and you can work out the exact date it becomes eligible by adding 25 years to its month and year of manufacture.

How do I find out if the specific car I am after qualifies?
It is quick and straightforward to check for yourself. The 25-year rule is based on a car's date of manufacture, meaning the month and year it was actually manufactured, rather than its model year, which can sometimes differ by a year. Look for the month and year of manufacture on the car's manufacturer build plate, usually found in the door jamb, on the bulkhead or under the bonnet, and add 25 years. If that date has already passed, the car is eligible. As an example, a car built in March 2000 became eligible in March 2025. If the build plate is hard to read, the exact production date can be confirmed from the car's VIN or through a manufacturer heritage certificate. Once you have identified a specific car that qualifies, get in touch with the exact make, model and year, and we will look into sourcing the right example for you.

What will it cost me on top of the price of the car?
Our quoted price already includes fully insured shipping to your nearest US port. On top of that, you should budget for the costs payable on arrival in the US: the federal import duty, which for a passenger car has a base rate of around 2.5% of the value, and your state and local taxes when you register the car. Please note that the US has introduced additional import tariffs in recent times and this area continues to change, so we always recommend confirming the exact current duty with a licensed US customs broker before you commit.

Do you supply LHD (left hand drive) or RHD (right hand drive) cars?
Both can be supplied. The US drives on the right, so many buyers choose LHD (left hand drive), but plenty of collectors specifically seek an original European or UK RHD (right hand drive) example, and those can be imported and registered too. We will help you decide what suits you best.

How does the shipping and US customs process work?
We arrange fully insured sea freight to your nearest major US port and prepare all the export and customs paperwork, including the DOT and EPA forms that declare the car's 25-year eligibility. Because an eligible car is exempt from US safety standards, there is no costly conversion work needed. We keep you updated at every stage through to arrival.

How do I register and title the car once it lands?
After the car clears federal customs, titling and registration happen at state level through your local DMV, and the exact requirements vary from state to state. We give you the customs clearance and import documents you will need.

How do we get started?
The best first step is to confirm your chosen car meets the 25-year age requirement, then tell us the exact car you are hoping to find, its age and specification, and the US state it is going to, using our enquiry form below or on WhatsApp on +44 7970 128795. We will then come back to you with a friendly, fully costed export price to the nearest port in the US. We look forward to helping you find the right car.

Cars to look out for in 2026 and beyond : 

BMW E39 M5 — the four-door driver's car that changed everything

The BMW E39 M5 is now crossing the 25-year eligibility threshold and represents arguably the greatest expression of the super-saloon formula. A 400hp naturally aspirated V8, genuine four-seat practicality, and the ability to pass as an ordinary 5 Series to the uninitiated. European examples offer the full, uncorrupted version of this car — including exhaust notes unrestrained by US noise regulations and manual gearbox options that were discontinued before later generations arrived. Low-mileage, single-owner European examples are still findable, though not for much longer. 

Other cars approaching the threshold for importation include:

• Opel/Vauxhall VX220 — the Lotus Elise with an Opel badge, built on the same Hethel platform, never sold in the US in any form
• RUF RTurbo — a Porsche-based performance car from the specialist German manufacturer, becoming import-eligible in 2026
• Renault Clio V6 Phase 1 — mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive hot hatch with 230hp. One of the most theatrical cars of its era and entirely absent from the American market
• Lamborghini Murciélago (early builds) — early-build 2001 Murciélagos are among the European cars beginning to qualify as the year progresses
• Porsche 996 Turbo — US-market cars existed but European specification offered different boost mapping and exhaust configurations
• Audi RS6 C5 (first generation) — twin-turbo V8 estate and saloon, 450hp, never sold in the US. A genuine sleeper in the collector market that values have not yet caught up with

SUBMIT AN ENQUIRY to import a european car to the us

We would love to assist you with your US vehicle import enquiry so please enter your contact details below and one of our helpful consultants will be in touch with you. We work exclusively with buyers who have a specific vehicle in mind.
If that's you, we'd love to hear from you. 

- Trade & Private Buyers welcome-