From the border to the title
The 25-year vehicle rule for vehicles from Germany
European-market vehicles need a review of U.S. conformity or applicable exemption. NHTSA’s age-based exception is measured from the vehicle’s manufacture date.
Your situation
Start with the facts.
We review manufacture date, federal declarations, customs release, and German title or export records.
U.S. import compliance, customs release, state titling, and registration are separate checkpoints. We can help map the documents; a qualified importer or agency may need to resolve federal compliance questions.
What we review together
- We verify the actual build date and distinguish NHTSA treatment from EPA and customs requirements.
- How the ownership record, actual use, and any deadlines fit together.
- Which document or person can move the next step forward.
A practical first step
Here is where to begin.
Share the Fahrzeugbrief or registration and entry documents. Share a build-date label or manufacturer record.
If you have only part of that information, share what you have. We will help identify who holds the rest and the order in which to request it. The right answer depends on your specific vehicle and transaction.
Related questions
Federal import eligibility
Whether a car may enter permanently depends on its age, original certification, and available import route.
Explore this guideEPA requirements
Emissions rules have their own declarations and exemptions.
Explore this guideNHTSA declaration
A DOT HS-7 declaration records the federal safety import basis.
Explore this guideLet’s look at your facts.
Tell us what you have and what you are trying to do. We’ll guide you toward a concrete next step.