AutoSnipes Journal / October 1, 2026

It’s October 1: October-2001 JDM Builds Just Crossed the 25-Year Line — Here’s What Actually Unlocks

The US 25-year import clock runs on the month a car was built, not its model year. Late R34 Skylines, Evo VIIs, and DC5 Integras built in October 2001 are eligible starting today.

It’s October 1: October-2001 JDM Builds Just Crossed the 25-Year Line — Here’s What Actually Unlocks

AutoSnipes Radar Score: 91/100 · Publish Today

If your Skyline’s build plate says October 2001, today is the day.

The US 25-year import exemption is counted from a car’s month of manufacture, not its model year. That means eligibility rolls forward one month at a time, and as of October 1, 2026, cars built in October 2001 are clear.

What’s on the hunt list

  • Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) — late-production cars built in October 2001
  • Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII
  • Honda Integra Type R (DC5)

Verify every chassis individually. Two cars with the same model year can have very different build dates, and only the build date counts.

We haven’t seen a verified first October-2001 car land in the US yet. When one does, we’ll cover it, and we won’t call a “first” without a build plate and paperwork to back it up.

Buyer’s checklist

  1. Build plate photo. Get a clear picture of the manufacture date before you send money.
  2. Export certificate. It should match the chassis number and the build date.
  3. Auction sheet. Read the grade, the inspector notes, and any repair markers, and get a translation if you need one.
  4. Landed cost. Purchase price plus shipping, port fees, duty, customs broker, and inland transport.
  5. State registration. Rules vary by state, so check with your DMV before the car is on the water.

Why it matters

Every month of the 25-year calendar opens another slice of the cars people grew up with on posters and in video games. The R34, the Evo VII, and the DC5 all have huge followings, so the first legal, documented examples will set the tone for pricing.

If you’re in Southern California, this lines up nicely with JCCS Long Beach on Saturday, October 3.

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Once your import is legal and plated, list it free on AutoSnipes. Street Visibility is there for the first Cars & Coffee flex.

Sources: ProvideCars 2026–27 import calendar · JDM Import Guide · JSPEC R34 import legality · ProjectJDM DC5 · WC Shipping R34 guide