The 25-year rule doesn't just apply to JDM cars — it's the same door European classics come through, and New Zealand's dry-stored collector market is a genuine hunting ground for eligible examples. Here's what you can bring in now.
Eligible today (built 25+ years ago)
- Porsche 911 — air-cooled 964 and 993, plus earlier cars, are eligible; the 996 rolls in through the late 2020s.
- Mercedes-Benz — W124, R129 SL, W140 S-Class and their contemporaries.
- BMW — E30 and E36 3-series, E34 5-series, E31 8-series.
- Ferrari — 348, 355, 456 and era-mates; later cars unlocking each year.
- Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Lotus and more — XJS, Alfa GTV/Spider, Esprit and similar by build date.
It's measured by month of manufacture
Eligibility runs from the month the car was built, not the model year — so it rolls in gradually across a model's run. We verify the exact build date on every car before you commit; see the 25-year rule explained.
Not yet 25? Consider Canada
Canada's 15-year rule opens a decade-wider window — many 2000s European cars an American can't touch yet are already Canadian-eligible. New Zealand's stock serves both.
Ready to move? See how to import a European classic to the USA and what it costs, or the European classics import guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which European classics are eligible for US import?
Any European car 25 or more years old, measured from its month of manufacture. Today that includes air-cooled Porsche 911s (964/993), W124 and R129 Mercedes, E30 and E36 BMWs, 1990s Ferraris (348/355), and XJS Jaguars — with more unlocking every month.
How old does a European classic have to be to import to the US?
25 years, measured from the month it was built (not the model year). A car built in June 2000 becomes eligible in June 2025. The 25-year rule waives US safety compliance, not the import charges — currently 2.5% duty plus a 10% tariff on the car's price (a rate that can change; your broker confirms it before shipment).
Can Canadians import newer European classics?
Yes — Canada uses a 15-year rule, a full decade more generous than the US. Cars not yet US-eligible are often already importable to Canada, and New Zealand's stock serves both markets.
