Question 1

What is the 25-year import rule?

Accepted Answer

The 25-year rule is a federal exemption under the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988. Vehicles at least 25 years old from their exact month and year of manufacture are completely exempt from EPA emissions and DOT/NHTSA safety standards. No crash testing, no emissions modifications, and no Registered Importer needed. The exemption is calculated from the production date, not the model year. A vehicle built in June 2001 becomes eligible June 2026. ZeroTaxTags verifies manufacture dates by cross-referencing VIN data, build plates, and factory records before processing Montana LLC registration for qualifying imports under MCA Title 35 and Title 61.

Question 2

Which JDM vehicles are eligible to import in 2026?

Accepted Answer

In 2026, vehicles manufactured in 2001 cross the 25-year threshold on a rolling monthly basis. Newly eligible JDM models include the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R at $60,000 to $165,000 at auction, the Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R which was never sold in the US, the Honda NSX NA2, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII, Subaru WRX STI Bugeye, Toyota Chaser JZX100, late-build Mazda RX-7 FD3S, and the Honda Integra Type-R DC5. Kei trucks including the Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet, and Honda Acty are also eligible. ZeroTaxTags registers all of these through Montana LLC with permanent plates under MCA Title 61 within 3 to 5 business days after customs clearance.

Question 3

How does Montana help with California CARB requirements?

Accepted Answer

California refuses to recognize the federal 25-year exemption for emissions. Every imported vehicle from 1976 or newer must pass CARB smog testing costing $7,500 to $15,000 or more. New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Oregon also impose strict inspection requirements on imports. Montana has zero emissions testing and zero safety inspections for any vehicle, regardless of age or origin. By registering your import through a Montana LLC with ZeroTaxTags under MCA Title 35 and Title 61, you legally bypass state-level CARB and inspection restrictions entirely. Your vehicle is owned by a Montana company and registered in Montana, legal in all 50 states under the Full Faith and Credit Clause.

Question 4

Can I register a right-hand drive vehicle in Montana?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Montana has zero restrictions on right-hand drive vehicles. Many states place heavy scrutiny on RHD imports, require expensive steering column conversions, or ban them from road use entirely. Montana does not care which side the steering wheel is on. By registering through a Montana LLC with ZeroTaxTags, your JDM right-hand drive vehicle receives standard Montana plates that are legal in all 50 states under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article IV Section 1. Whether it is an R34 Skyline, Silvia S15, Land Rover Defender, or kei truck, ZeroTaxTags handles it under MCA Title 61.

Question 5

What documents do I need for an imported vehicle?

Accepted Answer

For 25-plus year vehicles you need the foreign title or registration with certified English translation, CBP-7501 Entry Summary proving U.S. customs clearance, HS-7 DOT Declaration form with Box 1 checked, EPA Form 3520-1 with Code E for the 25-year exemption, and a bill of sale if the vehicle is not already titled in your name. ZeroTaxTags guides you through every document and handles all Montana-side paperwork including the MV1 title application filed under MCA Title 61. ISF filing must be submitted at least 24 hours before loading at the foreign port. If you are missing paperwork, our Title Recovery Service can help for vehicles 11 years and older.

Question 6

Are kei trucks street legal through Montana LLC?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Montana explicitly accepts kei trucks for full road-use registration with standard license plates. This matters because states like Texas, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania are actively revoking titles and cancelling plates for kei trucks including Honda Acty, Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet, and Subaru Sambar. ZeroTaxTags registers all kei truck brands and variants under MCA Title 61, including 4WD, dump bed, refrigerated, and van configurations. Your kei truck is legal for road use nationwide under the Full Faith and Credit Clause. Montana permanent plates mean you register once and drive legally everywhere, whether on a farm, ranch, or as a daily commuter.

Question 7

Can military personnel register vehicles from overseas deployment?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. ZeroTaxTags works with hundreds of service members returning from Japan, Germany, and the UK with vehicles purchased during deployment. If the vehicle meets the 25-year rule upon U.S. entry, we handle the entire Montana LLC registration remotely under MCA Title 35 and Title 61. You do not need a stateside address and you do not need to be home yet. Start the process while still deployed. When your vehicle arrives at port with proper HS-7 and EPA documentation, your Montana LLC and registration paperwork are already prepared. We accommodate APO and FPO addresses and coordinate with military shipping timelines.

Question 8

How much does Montana import vehicle registration cost?

Accepted Answer

ZeroTaxTags all-inclusive import registration packages start at $699, covering Montana LLC formation under MCA Title 35, state filing fees, registered agent designation, and the complete title and registration process under MCA Title 61. Most competitors charge $999 or more when you add up import processing fees. ZeroTaxTags absorbs that cost, saving you $300. Vehicles 11 years and older qualify for permanent registration, meaning you pay once and never renew. The only ongoing cost is $99.99 per year for registered agent service, mail forwarding, and LLC compliance filing. That $99.99 covers unlimited vehicles under the same LLC.

Question 9

Is Montana LLC registration legal for import vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Yes, 100 percent legal and recognized in all 50 states under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article IV Section 1, which requires every state to honor the legal acts of other states. Your Montana LLC is a real business entity formed under Montana Code Annotated Title 35 that legally owns and registers the vehicle under MCA Title 61. This is not a loophole but established law used by thousands of import vehicle owners across California, New York, Texas, Florida, and every other state. ZeroTaxTags has been covered by the Associated Press and Business Insider reporting on Montana LLC vehicle registration as a legitimate practice.