EPA Emissions Standards and Requirements

Vehicles over 25 years old are NHTSA, or Federal Safety Standard exempt to import to the USA. Vehicles over 21 years old in original configuration are legal to import to the USA. Each agency sets its own standards and requirements.  At Toprank Importers we have been working with these Federal and State agencies on legal vehicle importation, title, and registration for more than a decade. 

Even if a vehicle is exempt Federally, there may be state specific requirements or testing that must be done. Every one of the 50 states are different when it comes to title and/or registration of vehicles. 

With the passage of the Clean Air Act (CAA) in 1970, the EPA began regulating nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from light duty vehicles. The CAA was amended in 1990, and new emission standards were set for four additional smog pollutants:

The amendments also gave California authority to pass its own stricter vehicle emission standards, due to its particularly worse air pollution issues. EPA must approve California’s waiver for stricter standards. States may choose to follow either the federal or California standards.

Smog pollution standards were initially different for cars and light duty trucks. In 2000 (implented in MY 2004), the Tier 2 program established one set of standards for both cars and light duty trucks. Currently, Tier 3 standards are being phased in.

 

Emission Standards

EPA has lowered the amount of pollution light duty vehicles can emit multiple times since the first standards were set in 1970. EPA termed the first emission standards for cars and light trucks “Tier 1” Standards, with Tier 2 and Tier 3 as subsequent updates to the standards. Nearly all cars on the road today are held to either the current Tier 3 standards or the previous Tier 2 standards. The oldest cars on the road (model years 2003 or older) are held to Tier 1 standards.

The current Tier 3 standards are gradually being phased in starting in MY 2017. Tier 3 marks the first time federal and California emissions standards are fully aligned since the initial standards were enacted.

Automakers choose to certify each car model to one of EPA’s smog rating standards, also known as “bins,” but the automaker’s fleet as a whole must meet a specified average. Vehicles certified to a specific bin cannot exceed the amount of pollution specified for that bin. For example, if a vehicle is certified to Bin 50, it cannot emit more than 0.05 grams of NOx + NMOG, 1.7 grams of CO, 0.003 grams of PM, and 0.004 grams of HCHO per every mile it drives.

• Light-Duty Vehicle and Light-Duty Truck -- Clean Fuel Fleet Exhaust Emission Standards (PDF) (1 pg, 92 K, March 2016, EPA-420-B-16-006)
• Light-Duty Vehicles and Light-Duty Trucks:Tier 1 and National Low Emission Vehicle (NLEV) Supplemental Federal Test Procedure Exhaust Emission Standards (PDF)(1 pg, 85 K, March 2016, EPA-420-B-16-011)
• Light-Duty Vehicles, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Passenger Vehicles: Tier 2 Exhaust Emission Standards and Implementation Schedule (PDF)(1 pg, 514 K, September 2017, EPA-420-B-17-028)
• Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission standards table

 

Driving Cycles for Light-Duty Vehicles and Motorcycles are detailed on the following EPA webpage.

• EPA Federal Test Procedure (FTP) 
• EPA SC03 SFTP with air conditioning
• EPA Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS)
• EPA US06 or SFTP
• LA-92 Dynamometer Driving Schedule

 

Toprank Importers specializes in importing and selling JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars. From the range of legendary Nissan Skylines to iconic Toyota Chasers, vehicles over 25 years old are legal to import to the United States. We offer services including assistance with importing vehicles from other countries, Show or Display models, and race cars. This provides customers with a diverse range of options to choose from, catering to different preferences and needs in the automotive market.

How to Buy and Store an R34 GT-R in Japan until 25 years old (http://toprankjdm.com/BuyR34)

https://www.amazon.com/shop/importavehicle.com

Financing Available. Nationwide Shipping Available Please contact us for details. 844-523-2233 or sales@importavehicle.comFAQ (http://toprankjdm.com/FAQ)

All vehicles are As/Is No warranty. Imported vehicles can not be registered in California until brought into California compliance. Please check all local state laws for information on title and registration. 25 year old vehicles are exempt from FMVSS requirements. Vehicles over 21 years old are exempt from EPA compliance requirements for importation.

When do these JDM vehicles start to turn 25 years old?

Japanese (JDM) cars turning 25 years old in 2024 and beyond (https://toprankjdm.com/2024)

Nissan Skyline R34(non GT-R) May 1998= May 2023

Nissan Silvia S15 Jan 1999 = Jan 2024

Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 Jan 1999 = Jan 2024

Mitsubishi Evolution VI Jan 1999 = Jan 2024

Honda S2000 AP1 April 1999 = April 2024

Toyota MR-S Oct 1999 = Oct 2024

Find Your Car - Looking for a car we don’t have in stock? Looking at a car that will be legal in the future? We can help you find, buy, and legally import a vehicle to the USA. Learn more http://toprankjdm.com/Find