Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Importing a used Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class from the USA

The CLS invented the four-door coupe segment: a full-size sedan with a low, tapering roofline and frameless doors that turned a practical body into something genuinely elegant. American buyers took to it, which means the US used market carries a broad spread of CLS-Class cars — from V8 cruisers to the ferocious AMG versions. USCar Trader acts purely as a broker for used US vehicles, helping buyers in Germany and the EU source, inspect and import a CLS with the origin and customs facts clear from the start. Here is what you need to know before importing a used Mercedes CLS from the USA.

Generations at a glance

Three generations reached the US. The C219 (2005–2011) was the original, style-defining car. The C218 (2012–2018) modernised the shape, added twin-turbo power and refined the cabin. The C257 (2019–2023) reinvented the CLS as a sleeker five-seat coupe-sedan built on the newer platform shared with the E-Class. Note that the Shooting Brake estate was never officially sold in the US, so American cars are sedans/four-door coupes only.

Powertrain lineup

Engine choice tracks the generation. The C219 offered the CLS500/CLS550 V8 (M113 then M273), plus the supercharged CLS55 AMG and the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre M156 CLS63 AMG at 507 hp. The C218 introduced the CLS550 with the M278 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8 (around 402 hp), a CLS400 with a biturbo V6, and the CLS63 AMG using the M157 5.5-litre biturbo V8 — up to 550–577 hp in S form. The C257 shifted to the M256 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with EQ Boost mild-hybrid assistance in the CLS450, and the AMG CLS53 combined that six with electric boost for 429 hp. Rear-wheel drive is standard; 4MATIC all-wheel drive is common on later cars, and most use the 7G-Tronic or 9G-Tronic automatic.

Trims in the US market

Across all three generations the body is the four-door coupe. Equipment climbs from well-appointed base cars to Premium packages, and the AMG line (CLS55, CLS63, CLS53) sits at the top. US cars are typically loaded — leather, ventilated seats, premium audio and driver-assistance packages are widespread.

The used market stateside

CLS supply in America is good, especially the C218 CLS550 which sold in healthy numbers. Expect a wide mileage band, from pampered garage cars to six-figure-mile highway machines. AMG examples are rarer and command attention, so history is critical. Cars from dry southern and western states tend to have clean underbodies, which pays off later at inspection time. Avoid neglected air-suspension cars unless you have factored maintenance into the plan.

Who should import one

The CLS suits a buyer who wants presence and long-distance comfort in a shape that still turns heads, without stepping up to an S-Class footprint. A clean US CLS550 makes a superb grand tourer; a documented CLS63 is a genuine event. If you would rather have a smaller, sharper four-door coupe, the CLA is the obvious alternative — but for effortless V8 or silky inline-six pace, the CLS remains a standout.

Key specifications

How reliable is it?

The most talked-about Mercedes CLS common problems relate to the Airmatic air suspension: struts and the compressor wear over time, and a slow-sagging corner overnight is the classic warning sign. On earlier M272/M273 engines, balance-shaft or idler-gear wear affected a defined range of build dates, so a VIN check matters. The M278 twin-turbo V8 is strong but can suffer timing components and coolant leaks with age and neglect; the AMG M156 and M157 are formidable but expensive to maintain, with the M156 known for head-bolt and camshaft-adjuster issues. The M256 inline-six in the C257 is modern and generally sound. Across the board, keep on top of transmission fluid services and check the electronics — comfort features are plentiful and each is a potential fault.

What US models do differently

US cars use amber side markers, US-spec headlights and no rear fog lamp, all of which a German inspection expects corrected. Diesel CLS variants were not part of the US line-up, so imported cars are petrol. The COMAND navigation is US-mapped and speedometers read in mph. Mechanically these are the same cars sold in Europe, so parts and specialist support at home are excellent.

Seven steps to your import

The process: choose the car and agree terms; verify VIN and origin and pull a full history report; secure payment through escrow; book ocean freight (container or RoRo) to a port such as Bremerhaven; clear EU customs; present for TÜV and individual approval where required; and register. USCar Trader manages the sequence and updates you at each stage.

Customs, taxes and costs explained

Key point: duty depends on the plant of build; only a VIN check secures the 0% rate. Import VAT of 19% applies regardless.

Two charges apply separately. Import duty: the 0% rate under EU Regulations 2026/1455 and 2026/1461 applies only where US origin is provable by VIN and plant code, with direct transport, valid from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2029. The CLS is built in Germany, so US origin generally cannot be demonstrated and the standard car duty rate normally applies — we confirm the correct figure from your specific VIN. Separately, and in every case, the 19% German import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) is due on the customs value. We never advertise duty-free import and add no hidden margin.

German TÜV and registration

Plan for rear fog-lamp provision, headlight conversion or adjustment to the European beam pattern, and clear odometer documentation. Any AMG or aftermarket exhaust and lowering modifications must be documented for approval. After the technical inspection the car is registered normally.

The buyer checklist

Before you buy, confirm: full Carfax/AutoCheck history against the VIN; title status (clean vs. salvage/rebuilt); Airmatic health at all four corners; service records for engine and transmission fluids; underbody and arch condition for corrosion; and, on AMG cars, evidence of proper maintenance and no abuse.

Questions and answers

Was the CLS Shooting Brake sold in the US?

No. The estate was Europe-only, so American cars are four-door coupes.

Which CLS is most common on the US market?

The C218 CLS550 with the 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8 is the most plentiful.

Are diesel CLS models available from the US?

No, US CLS cars are petrol; the diesels were not offered there.

What is the biggest reliability worry?

Airmatic air-suspension wear, plus engine-specific issues on early M272/M273 and the AMG V8s.

Do I qualify for 0% customs duty?

Only with provable US origin. As the CLS is German-built, the standard rate normally applies, and the 19% import VAT always applies.

Is 4MATIC available?

Yes, all-wheel drive is common on many later CLS models, alongside rear-drive cars.

How strong is the CLS63 AMG?

The M157 biturbo V8 produces up to 550–577 hp in S form — quick but costly to run.

Can USCar Trader manage the full import?

Yes, from sourcing and escrow to freight, customs and TÜV preparation.

Discover more in the Mercedes-Benz in the Carhub, compare related models like the Mercedes-Benz CLA, the C-Class Sedan and the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, or view current CLS-Class listings.