Hilux Import Question - VIN Help

[BoltTheSuperDog]

New to the forum. Currently stationed in Germany and looking to bring a Hilux with the 2.4D back stateside once I PCS (truck is a doublecab — is it going to be completely underpowered?). I have found a truck I would like to potentially bring back but it is an ex-military truck (was in service with the Danish). Truck is super low miles. The only problem is the only document the truck comes with is a letter of release from the Danish military, which does not define the year. I had the dealer that has it for sale contact the German TÜV and they provided a document that states the vehicle is a 1996 (based off of the VIN, I presume) but when I run any various VIN Decoder on the truck, it comes back as a 1995. The truck was also originally listed on the dealer’s site as a 1995, which makes me think something isn’t adding up. Since I will be looking to import the vehicle at some point, I want to make sure the paperwork is square. Does anyone know how these older Toyota VINs work? The digit in the “year” code is a 0, which I cannot find defined anywhere as most guides are written with newer vehicles in mind.

I have e-mailed Toyota of Denmark and they were absolutely no help even though I provided the VIN.

Any help or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[BoltTheSuperDog]

Also, I am aware of the 25 year import law, etc. i have a few more years here, so the 1995 or
1996 year would work for me. Truck is also
Completely original but was repainted due to need for a high visibility color on an airfield. So, I think I would be OK in those areas. Just don’t want customs to think I am trying to pull a fast one with the age/original year of the vehicle.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Could be a 95 model first registered in 96. ToyoDIY.com will give you the date of manufacture. Just put the VIN in.

25 year rule goes off month and year of manufacture.

 

[BoltTheSuperDog]

Thanks for your reply. I assume US Customs will not allow for just a simple print out from a VIN Decoder as proof of the age though, correct?

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I have read in various places on this forum that they have but I wouldn’t count on that. Is there no year on any of the VIN plates? Normally there is one under the hood and one in the driver’s door jamb.