You're correctAnd i daresay with japanese efficiency at the Arai factory they would take the oldest helmet they had on the shelf and post it to you for monday - 6 months old
I just checked my older Arai details, this new helmet is to replace that one
Old Arai Helmet - manufacture date May 2015 and purchased by me in Aug 2016 - 15 months
New Arai Helmet - manufacture date Dec 2022 and purchased by me May 2024 - 17 months
So it seems the norm, for helmets to be a year or more after manufacture date, when you actually buy them
So I guess that's why they give you a warranty of 7 years from manufacture and 5 years from purchase - the extra 2 year window is to cover their warehouse and storage/delivery
I will keep it