Guides
JDM import & buying guides
Everything you need to import, buy, verify, and register a Japanese domestic market vehicle — organized by topic.
Import process & eligibility
- Importing a Car from Japan How to import a car from Japan, step by step — buying, export, shipping, customs and registration, plus destin…
- The 25-Year Import Rule The 25-year rule is the NHTSA age provision exempting vehicles 25 years or older from FMVSS conformance. EPA u…
- US JDM Import Process Step-by-step guide to importing a JDM car into the United States: CBP port entry documentation, NHTSA and EPA …
- US Import Eligibility Calendar Which JDM chassis codes are importable to the US in 2026 under the 25-year rule — chassis-by-chassis eligibili…
Importing by country
- Importing to Canada Canada's 15-year rule exempts JDM imports from CMVSS conformance. Learn the eligibility test, CBSA costs, RIV …
- Importing to the UK Import a JDM car from Japan to the UK: no age ban, NOVA within 14 days, IVA for cars under 10 years old, then …
- Importing to Australia Import approval via ROVER is required before shipping. Learn the 25-year rule, SEVS pathway, asbestos inspecti…
- Importing to New Zealand How to import a used car from Japan to New Zealand: entry certification, emissions standards, MPI biosecurity,…
- Importing to Ireland How to import a JDM car from Japan to Ireland: customs duty, VAT, VRT calculation, NOx levy, NCTS inspection, …
Kei trucks
Buying & verification
- Japanese Auction Grading Japanese auction grades, explained for buyers of 15–25+ year-old JDM imports: the grade scale and what is real…
- Avoiding JDM Import Scams JDM imports attract fraud from non-existent vehicles to mileage rollbacks to title issues. This guide covers t…
- Verify a JDM Car's Mileage Odometer fraud is a documented risk in used JDM imports. This guide covers the available verification steps: a…
Shipping & logistics
By state
US state registration guides
Each guide covers the DMV steps, VIN inspection, and emissions requirements for registering a 25-year-eligible JDM import in that state.
- California JDM Registration California treats a direct-import JDM vehicle separately from an ordinary out-of-state title transfer. Federal…
- Florida JDM Registration Florida is one of the more straightforward US states for registering a JDM import. There is no state emissions…
- Texas JDM Registration Texas no longer requires a non-commercial vehicle safety inspection (eliminated January 1, 2025 by HB 3297). A…
- Washington JDM Registration Washington requires signed and stamped US Customs documents for a vehicle imported from another country. The s…
- New York JDM Registration New York requires acceptable ownership and Customs evidence, certified translations, state safety and emission…
- US JDM Import Process Federal CBP entry, NHTSA and EPA declarations, duty payment, and per-state registration overview.