The 25-Year Rule: A Major Roadblock for Enthusiasts
One of the biggest challenges for JDM car enthusiasts in the U.S. is the 25-year import rule, a regulation set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This law prohibits the importation of vehicles that are less than 25 years old unless they meet strict U.S. safety and emissions standards — something most JDM cars do not adhere to. As a result, many enthusiasts turned to illegal importation methods to bypass these regulations.
The Scandal: Illegal JDM Imports and Seizures
The demand for JDM cars led to a black market of sorts, where cars were illegally imported into the U.S. under false documentation or through under-the-radar channels. Some importers went as far as altering vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to make it appear as though these cars were eligible for legal registration. This eventually caught the attention of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, leading to a series of high-profile car seizures.
In the early 2000s, several Nissan Skyline GT-Rs were seized and destroyed by U.S. authorities for being illegally imported. These incidents shocked the car enthusiast community and highlighted the legal risks associated with purchasing JDM cars that did not comply with U.S. regulations.
