01What the Silvia is
| Chassis | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| S12 | 1983–1988 | The boxy first-generation Silvia. Long eligible. |
| S13 | 1988–1993 | Pop-up headlights. The 180SX fastback is a close relative. |
| S14 | 1993–1998 | Rounder and heavier, in early and later "Kouki" faces. |
| S15 | 1999–2002 | The most sought-after Silvia. Never sold new in the US. |
02Is the Nissan Silvia legal to import to the US?
All S12, S13 and S14 Silvias are past 25 years old and qualify under the NHTSA age exemption, and all are past the 21-year EPA threshold, which applies only to vehicles in their original configuration, not modified from the manufacturer's original design. The S15 is the one to watch: 1999 builds have been eligible since 2024, and the final 2002 cars become eligible in 2027.
Eligibility turns on the build date, so a car registered late can cross the line later than its model year suggests. Check the chassis plate before buying.
Check the plate, not the listing
Eligibility is set by the date of manufacture. A car first registered in early 2002 can have been built in late 2001, or the other way round. Ask for a photo of the chassis plate and the export certificate before you pay.
The EPA exemption does not cover a modified car. Confirm current requirements with the EPA's vehicle-import guidance.
03What it costs to land a Silvia
Silvia prices cover a wide range. Clean, standard cars sit far below rare, high-grade or well-known builds, and modified cars can be cheaper to buy and more expensive to own.
The landed cost adds the exporter fee and inland transport in Japan, ocean freight, marine insurance, US duty and customs fees, a bond and broker where needed, and state taxes and registration. Get an itemised quote.
Because S-chassis cars are commonly modified and drifted, budget for a pre-purchase inspection and a maintenance contingency.
The landed-cost estimator adds these up line by line, with the source for every rate.
04Silvia S15 import: what to know
For a "silvia s15 import", the whole game is the build date. An S15 is only eligible once that specific car is 25 years old, so two cars that look identical can differ on legality by months. Confirm the plate, ask for the export certificate, and treat a clean, unmodified example as the safer first import.
05Common questions
Is the Nissan Silvia legal in the US?
S12, S13 and S14 Silvias qualify now under the 25-year rule. S15s qualify individually as each build passes 25 years old, from 1999 builds in 2024 through 2002 builds in 2027.
Can I import an S15 Silvia to the US?
Yes, once the specific car is at least 25 years old based on its date of manufacture. Before that it does not qualify for the age exemption. Confirm the build date before you buy.
How much does a Silvia import cost?
It depends on the car, its grade and condition, shipping, duty and your state registration costs. Ask for a landed-cost breakdown rather than a single price.