Guide · Updated October 2026
Exporting a Classic Car to the USA: The 25-Year Rule, EPA, Duty and Shipping
A classic car can be imported permanently into the USA once it is at least 25 years old by its date of manufacture, because it no longer has to meet US federal safety standards. It must also pass the EPA emissions test: petrol cars built before 1968 are exempt, and cars over 21 years old are accepted if the engine is the original model and configuration. The base US duty on a passenger car is 2.5%. Shipping by RORO from a UK port typically costs £987–1,240 in sea freight, and high-value classics usually go in a sealed container.
Safety (NHTSA)
Exempt at 25 years old, by date of manufacture
Emissions (EPA)
Petrol pre-1968 exempt; over 21 years needs the original engine
US duty
2.5% base rate for a passenger car
Forms at entry
DOT HS-7 and EPA 3520-1
RORO car from the UK
£987–1,240
High-value classics
Sealed sole-use or shared container
What is the US 25-year rule?
NHTSA, the US safety regulator, does not require a vehicle that is at least 25 years old to meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. It is declared on DOT form HS-7, box 1, with the date of manufacture, so keep the build plate photo or a dating certificate ready.
A younger car not built to US standards needs a Registered Importer to bring it into compliance, with a DOT bond of 150% of its value, which is rarely practical for a UK-market car.
Is the EPA rule 21 years or 25 years?
They are separate tests, and a classic has to pass both: 25 years for safety, and the EPA emissions rule, which accepts cars over 21 years old if the engine is the same model and configuration as when the car was built.
- Petrol car built before 1968
- Exempt from US emission requirements
- Diesel car built before 1975, diesel light truck before 1976
- Exempt from US emission requirements
- Over 21 years old
- Accepted with the original model and configuration of engine
- Engine changed
- Needs an Independent Commercial Importer or EPA approval before shipping, or the car risks seizure
- Form
- EPA 3520-1 at entry; the car is not released until it is filed
An engine swap, such as a later diesel in a Land Rover, can make an otherwise eligible car non-conforming. We confirm the rules for your vehicle before you ship.
Which British classics go to the USA?
American collectors have bought British sports cars since the 1950s. Typical examples, and the rule that decides each:
- MGB and MGB GT (1962–1980)
- All past 25 years. Cars built before 1968 are EPA-exempt; later cars need their original engine type
- Triumph TR6 and Spitfire
- The TR6 (1968–1976) and Spitfire (1962–1980) qualify on age; keep the original engine type, and use the commission number as dating evidence
- Jaguar E-Type (1961–1975)
- Usually shipped in a sealed container; cars built before 1968 are EPA-exempt
- Land Rover Defender
- Qualifies month by month once built 25 years ago or more. A non-original engine is the usual EPA problem, and a pick-up body can be classed as a truck for duty
- Mini, Morris Minor and Austin-Healey
- All past 25 years; original-engine cars are the simplest
What does US import duty cost on a classic?
The US tariff rate for a passenger car is 2.5% of its value (tariff heading 8703). Extra US car tariffs were added in 2025, but vehicles built at least 25 years before the year of entry have their own heading (9903.94.04) at the normal rate. Pick-ups and vans can be classed as trucks, which pay much more. Tariffs have changed often since 2025, so we confirm the duty for your car before you ship.
RORO or container for a classic?
- RORO
- Typically £987–1,240 in sea freight for a car from a UK port, and £1,250–1,330 for a 4x4 such as a Defender. The car travels inside the ship's enclosed hold, but port drivers drive it on and off, so it must start, run and stop reliably
- Sole-use container
- Sealed at loading, opened only at the destination or by customs. Best for an E-Type, a concours car or a non-runner; spares can travel inside the car
- Shared container
- Container security at a lower price, shared with another shipper's vehicle
RORO ranges are the lower and upper quartiles of our own customer quotes over the last 90 days. Container prices are quoted for your car and port.
Your classic car policy usually does not cover the sea voyage. We arrange marine cargo insurance, from €200 for a single trip for a value up to €25,000; higher values are quoted individually. Older vehicles can be more difficult to insure, so tell us the value and condition early. Marine insurance is not included in shipping prices unless stated.
What is RORO? How roll-on roll-off ships carry your vehicle →
How exporting a classic to the USA works
- Check the date of manufacture and the engine against the 25-year and EPA rules; we confirm the rules for your vehicle before you ship.
- Get instant pricing in about 2 minutes, then book RORO or a container.
- Tell DVLA the car is leaving permanently, using the permanent export section of the V5C.
- Prepare the car: clean inside and out, no more than a quarter of a tank of fuel for RORO, and photographs of every side.
- The car sails and we send you the bill of lading.
- At the US port the HS-7 and EPA 3520-1 are filed, duty is paid and the car is released, with customs clearance support through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker.
Frequently asked questions
Can I export a classic car from the UK to the USA?
Yes. A car at least 25 years old by its date of manufacture is exempt from US safety standards. It must also meet the EPA rule: petrol cars built before 1968 are exempt, and cars over 21 years old need the original engine type. We confirm the rules for your car before you ship.
Is the US import rule 21 years or 25 years?
Both exist. 25 years is the NHTSA safety rule; 21 years is the EPA emissions rule, which needs the engine to be the original model and configuration. A classic has to satisfy both.
Can I ship a Land Rover Defender to the USA?
Yes, once it is 25 years old by its month and year of manufacture and still has its original engine type. A Defender with a different engine needs EPA approval or an Independent Commercial Importer before shipping, and a pick-up body can be classed as a truck for duty.
How much is US import duty on a classic car?
The base rate for a passenger car is 2.5% of its value, and cars built at least 25 years before the year of entry have their own tariff heading at the normal rate. Trucks and pick-ups pay more. We confirm the duty for your car before you ship.
How much does it cost to ship an MGB or Triumph to the USA?
RORO sea freight from a UK port typically costs £987–1,240 for a car, from our customer quotes over the last 90 days. A sealed container costs more. US entry costs, duty and marine insurance are extra.
Should I ship a Jaguar E-Type by RORO or container?
We recommend a sealed container for a high-value classic: it is not driven on and off by port staff and it is opened only at the destination or by customs. RORO is the lower-cost option for a car that runs well.
Official sources
- NHTSA: DOT form HS-7 (box 1, vehicles 25 years or older)
- NHTSA: importation guidelines
- EPA: learn about importing vehicles and engines (vehicles over 21 years old)
- US Code of Federal Regulations: 19 CFR 12.73 (EPA age exemptions)
- US Harmonized Tariff Schedule: heading 8703 (passenger cars, 2.5%)
- US Harmonized Tariff Schedule: heading 9903.94.04 (vehicles 25 years or older)
- GOV.UK: taking a vehicle out of the UK (permanent export)
This guide summarises the rules as published in October 2026. Rules change; we confirm what applies to your vehicle when we quote.
Related routes and guides
Member of
IVSS is a member of BIFA, the British International Freight Association, and FIATA, the international federation of freight forwarders.
Get your quote in about 2 minutes
Questions about your import? Call +44 203 787 4201, Monday to Friday.