Mercedes-Benz GLS

Importing a used Mercedes-Benz GLS from the USA

The GLS is Mercedes-Benz's full-size, three-row flagship SUV, and there is a genuine logic to buying one from America: the model is built for and heavily sold in the US, so supply, specification and condition are strong. USCar Trader acts as an independent broker for used US vehicles, sourcing the GLS you want and managing purchase, ocean freight, customs and German approval. We are not a dealer and add no margin to the car itself. One detail matters up front for anyone researching how to import a used GLS from the USA: many GLS and its GLE siblings are assembled in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, so the VIN and plant code are the first thing we read.

Generations at a glance

The lineage begins as the GL-Class: the X164 (2007-2012) and the X166 (2013-2015). In 2016 the facelifted X166 was rebadged GLS to align with the naming scheme. The current X167 (2020 on) is a ground-up redesign with a longer wheelbase, a proper adult third row, the twin-screen MBUX cockpit and the option of E-Active Body Control on higher trims. Across all of these the GLS has been a seven-seat luxury hauler positioned above the GLE.

Powertrain lineup

Current X167 US cars centre on the GLS 450 with the 3.0-litre M256 turbocharged inline-six and EQ Boost (around 362 hp) and the GLS 580 with the 4.0-litre M176 biturbo V8 and mild-hybrid assist (around 483 hp). The AMG GLS 63 uses the hand-built 4.0-litre V8 biturbo for roughly 603 hp. Earlier X166 GLS cars offered the GLS 450 (3.0 biturbo V6), the GLS 550 (4.7 V8 twin-turbo) and the AMG GLS 63 (5.5 V8 biturbo). A GL 350 BlueTEC diesel was also sold in the US but is comparatively rare. All run the 9G-Tronic automatic and 4MATIC all-wheel drive as standard, usually with Airmatic air suspension.

Trims in the US market

The GLS is a single body style: a large five-door, seven-seat SUV. US equipment revolves around the engine badge plus option packages: the AMG Line exterior, the Driver Assistance package, rear-seat entertainment, a panoramic roof, Burmester audio, second-row captain's chairs and the Executive rear seating on the flagship Maybach GLS. Air suspension and adaptive damping are common on higher trims.

The used market stateside

Because the GLS is a core US model, three- to six-year-old examples are plentiful and often loaded with options that were expensive when new. Lease returns and one-owner family cars dominate, frequently with full dealer service history. Sun-belt cars come rust-free. AMG GLS 63 and Maybach variants are more available in America than here, which draws importers to those configurations in particular.

Who should import one

Import a used GLS from the USA if you want a specific engine and equipment combination, a genuine seven-seat luxury SUV with a documented history, or an AMG or Maybach flagship that is scarce on the German used market. Buyers who want a large, well-equipped SUV at a transparent broker price benefit most.

Key specifications

How reliable is it?

The GLS is durable but complex, and the complexity is where problems concentrate. The Airmatic air suspension is the usual weak point: compressors, air struts and valve blocks wear with age and mileage, so listen for extended pump run time and check that all corners level correctly. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system on inline-six and V8 cars can log faults if the auxiliary battery weakens. MBUX and the many electronic modules occasionally need updates. The older GL 350 BlueTEC diesel had emissions and injector concerns. Engine hardware is generally strong; most GLS reliability and common problems reports trace back to suspension and electronics rather than the drivetrain. A pre-purchase inspection of the air system pays for itself.

What US models do differently

US cars use amber rear indicators, generally omit the separate rear fog lamp required in Germany, and run US-spec headlights. The cluster reads in mph, DAB is usually absent, and some assistance features are region-coded. Because so many GLS are built in Alabama, the underlying hardware is identical to European cars, which keeps individual approval simple.

Seven steps to your import

Selection: we agree the exact GLS and budget. VIN and origin check: we decode the VIN to confirm the Tuscaloosa or other plant and the equipment. Escrow: funds are held until the car is confirmed. Ocean freight: container or RoRo to Bremerhaven or Rotterdam. Customs clearance: import declaration on arrival. TUEV/individual approval: inspection plus any lighting work. Registration: German plates once documents are complete.

Customs, taxes and costs explained

Bottom line: what matters is the factory shown by the VIN – proven US origin unlocks 0% duty. The 19% import VAT always applies.

Keep the two charges separate. The EU import duty on cars is normally 10 percent, but a 0 percent rate can apply where US origin is provable under Regulations (EU) 2026/1455 and 2026/1461 (in force since 1 July 2026, direct transport, until 31 December 2029). Because the GLS is frequently assembled in Alabama, many cars carry a US plant code, but only the specific VIN confirms eligibility, so we verify and never promise a duty-free outcome. The 19 percent German import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) always applies, calculated on customs value plus duty and freight. Both lines are quoted transparently with no margin.

German TÜV and registration

Typical pre-approval work: fit a rear fog lamp and adapt rear lighting, correct or replace the headlights for the German beam pattern, and document the odometer in kilometres. The TUEV checks brakes, emissions, air-suspension function and identity. Registration on German plates follows a pass.

The buyer checklist

Confirm the full VIN and decode the assembly plant. Order a Carfax or AutoCheck report for accidents, title and mileage. Verify a clean, non-salvage title. Test the Airmatic system at all four corners and check for leaks. Review dealer service history and last major service. Inspect the third row, tailgate and panoramic roof for water ingress. Compare interior wear with the stated mileage.

Questions and answers

Is a US-built GLS cheaper to import?

US origin can enable the 0 percent duty rate, but only the VIN confirms the plant; we check before quoting and never guarantee it.

Will I always pay import duty?

Not necessarily. The standard rate is 10 percent, reduced to 0 percent only with provable US origin. The 19 percent import VAT is separate and always applies.

Are AMG and Maybach GLS worth importing?

Often yes, as those flagship configurations are more available and better specified in the US than in Germany.

How reliable is the GLS air suspension?

It is a known wear item. With a proper inspection and honest history it is manageable, but it is the first thing we check.

Can the GLS seat seven adults?

The X167 offers a usable third row; captain's chairs reduce it to six seats with more comfort.

Does the mph cluster stay?

Yes, the car keeps its US cluster; the reading is documented and a kilometre display arranged where required.

How long does import take?

Usually several weeks from purchase to registration, mainly limited by ocean freight and inspection slots.

Do you check history before payment?

Yes. We review the VIN and a Carfax or AutoCheck report and hold funds in escrow until the GLS is confirmed.

Start here: explore the Mercedes-Benz in the Carhub, compare related models such as the GLE Coupe, the GLC and the GL-Class, or view the current GLS listings.