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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII CT9A

Secondary source Not yet eligible

Production start
January 2003
Production end
March 2005
First cars US-eligible (25 yr)
January 2028
Last cars US-eligible
March 2030
Source: Wikipedia: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (Evolution VIII production Jan 2003 – Mar 2005). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Lancer_Evolution

Not yet eligible. Secondary source only.

NHTSA: the 25-year period "runs from the date of the vehicle's manufacture" (49 U.S.C. 30112(b)(9); 49 CFR 591.5(i)). Most plates show month/year only; we treat a build month as fully clear from the last day of that month 25 years later. Go by the build plate.

Build month → eligible month

BuiltTurns 25Status (October 2026)
Jan 2003Jan 2028Not yet
Feb 2003Feb 2028Not yet
Mar 2003Mar 2028Not yet
Apr 2003Apr 2028Not yet
May 2003May 2028Not yet
Jun 2003Jun 2028Not yet
Jul 2003Jul 2028Not yet
Aug 2003Aug 2028Not yet
Sep 2003Sep 2028Not yet
Oct 2003Oct 2028Not yet
Nov 2003Nov 2028Not yet
Dec 2003Dec 2028Not yet
Jan 2004Jan 2029Not yet
Feb 2004Feb 2029Not yet
Mar 2004Mar 2029Not yet
Apr 2004Apr 2029Not yet
May 2004May 2029Not yet
Jun 2004Jun 2029Not yet
Jul 2004Jul 2029Not yet
Aug 2004Aug 2029Not yet
Sep 2004Sep 2029Not yet
Oct 2004Oct 2029Not yet
Nov 2004Nov 2029Not yet
Dec 2004Dec 2029Not yet
Jan 2005Jan 2030Not yet
Feb 2005Feb 2030Not yet
Mar 2005Mar 2030Not yet

FAQ

When can I import a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII (CT9A) to the US?

Under NHTSA's 25-year exemption (49 U.S.C. 30112(b)(9)), eligibility runs from the vehicle's date of manufacture. For this model, production started January 2003, so the earliest cars become eligible in January 2028. Production ended March 2005, so the last cars become eligible in March 2030. Always check the build plate on the specific car.

Is the CT9A eligible under the 25-year rule right now?

Status as of 2026-10-19: Not yet eligible. The 25-year period runs from the manufacture date, not the model year. A car built late in the production run may still be waiting.

Does EPA also apply to a CT9A import?

Yes. EPA's Form 3520-1 Code E covers vehicles at least 21 years old (calendar year of manufacture subtracted from year of importation) in original unmodified configuration. DOT and EPA are separate tests; you need both.

How much does it cost to import a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII?

Costs vary by auction price, shipping and duty. Use our CT9A landed-cost calculator for an editable estimate. Typical overhead beyond the car is often a few thousand dollars (see our import-cost guide).

Where to buy parts

Platform specialists
  • MAPerformance · Turbo performance parts, incl. Evo and WRX/STI
  • RHDJapan · Ships from Japan: Nismo, Mugen, Spoon, Tomei, HKS, Cusco and OEM parts
  • Megazip · Genuine OEM Japanese parts by catalog and part number
  • Nengun Performance · Ships from Japan: HKS, Nismo, Greddy, Blitz, RAYS and more. Also offers a Yahoo Japan Auctions service
  • Japamart · Japan proxy buying (Yahoo Auctions, Mercari), useful for discontinued OEM and used tuner parts
General retailers & Japan proxies
  • Summit Racing · Large US performance retailer (fluids, tools, universal parts)
  • CARiD · Large US online retailer of aftermarket and replacement parts and accessories
  • Amazon (Automotive) · Fluids, filters, tools and universal accessories
  • eBay Motors Parts · Used and NOS JDM parts from US and Japan sellers
  • ZenMarket · Japan proxy for Yahoo Auctions and Japanese stores
  • Buyee · Japan proxy for Yahoo Auctions and Mercari

Independent retailers picked by what they publicly stock. Check fitment for your chassis. Some links are affiliate links; see our affiliate disclosure.

Estimate landed cost

Open the calculator → · How to import step by step → · Find an exporter →

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