Collectors and importers breathing into paper bags last week over new U.S. automobile tariffs can likely relax – at least regarding older cars. A last-minute clarification confirmed that vehicles 25 years and older escape the hefty new duties imposed on imported automobiles effective April 3rd.

Panic rippled through the collector car community when the U.S. government initially announced an additional 25% tariff on imported cars and parts, citing national security concerns over trade practices. The original order made no distinction for vehicle age, leading many to fear a massive cost increase for bringing vintage cars into the country.

However, an update released just hours before the deadline specified that passenger vehicles manufactured at least 25 years prior to their entry date remain exempt from the additional 25% tariff. These classics continue under the existing 2.5% import duty.

This news brought “a definite sigh of relief for the hobby,” according to commentators. The period of uncertainty before the clarification, however, did cause market jitters. Businesses involved in international vehicle trade reported significant disruption.

One source, Paul Misencik from a company called Autology, mentioned seeing his U.S. customer base shrink dramatically, attributing it not just to economic factors but to the “paralyzing” uncertainty and “chaos” the tariff talks created. Another source, Shibarshin, agreed the “unknown” was the biggest frustration for businesses and clients trying to plan.

While the classic car world dodged this bullet, the tariff hammer falls hard on newer vehicles. Any imported car less than 25 years old now faces the combined 27.5% tariff rate. This significantly hikes the cost of bringing in newer “gray market” vehicles not originally sold in the U.S., adding to already expensive federalization processes.

Price increases seem likely even for U.S.-compliant models built elsewhere, like Mexico (certain BMWs, Audis, GM trucks, Mach-E) or Canada (new Dodge Charger, recent Ford GT). High-end importers feel the pinch, too; Ferrari already announced U.S. price increases of up to 10 percent.

Questions still linger about how the tariffs might affect vehicles assembled domestically but using major components (like engines) sourced from outside the U.S. Furthermore, the separate additional 25% tariff on imported auto parts, scheduled to start May 3rd, adds another layer of concern for restoration shops and enthusiasts sourcing parts globally.

For now, though, the path remains clear for importing vintage automobiles without the new surcharge. Is the golden age of easy global car collecting coming to an end? What do you think of the new automobile tariffs imposed by Donald Trump?