Shipping cargo to Costa Rica? Important information about moving abroad to Costa Rica
Located in Central America near Panama and Nicaragua, Costa Rica or “Costa Rica” has more than 800 miles of coastline that includes the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The country is renowned for its biodiversity that includes animal and plant life.
Divided into seven provinces, Costa Rica is a member of a variety of organizations, including the Organization of American States and the UN. Although Spanish is the main language of the country, the country is also home to several native languages and is visited and inhabited by people from all over the world.
If you are planning to move or need a cargo shipment to Costa Rica, there are a few documents you need to plan ahead of time. For example, if you move to the country, make sure you have a passport for all members of your family.
To prepare cargo shipment, you must have a complete inventory listed in Spanish or English. Your inventory must include the value of your items declared for customs, with complete information on the number of boxes in your shipping container. You should also plan to include additional information for electrical equipment and appliances, including:
- brand name
- serial numbers
- models, and
- price fixing
Additional documentation you will need for your freight shipment includes proof of insurance and a letter authorizing the destination agent to clear your shipment. All documents must be original documents.
All cargo shipments are subject to inspection by Costa Rican authorities. When shipping, all your used household and personal items are subject to import duties and taxes. However, it is important to note that certain people receive exemptions to this rule, including:
- diplomats
- Members of government or international organizations
- Costa Rican citizens who have lived outside the country for at least two years (in this case, you are expected to pay taxes, but you are not required to pay duties)
Freight shipping rules on new items to Costa Rica
If you’re shipping new items, it’s important to note that new items require an original receipt and are subject to high tax rates. If you are shipping major appliances to Costa Rica, you may not ship more than one of each type of appliance. Also, when you ship computers, you are expected to follow certain Costa Rican import regulations.
Prohibited items when shipping cargo to Costa Rica
If you are moving to Costa Rica and planning to ship cargo, it helps to know what items are prohibited or restricted. The following items are prohibited or restricted when shipping cargo there:
- Alcoholic beverages (only small quantities are allowed for personal use)
- Narcotics and drugs
- explosives
- used tires
- pornographic or subversive material
Weapons and ammunition require original invoice and registration at origin. You must also have a special permit from the Costa Rican Department of Firearms and Explosives.
Import taxes will apply and you will also need a special permit if you plan to ship any of the following to Costa Rica:
- Animal or agricultural products, including plants
- Medicines
- Large amounts of alcoholic beverages.
- tobacco products
- food
Shipping Cars to Costa Rica
Are you interested in shipping a car to Costa Rica? If you’re shipping a car, you’ll be expected to pay high import taxes and duties, unless you’re exempt from these requirements, as detailed above. The amount of auto shipping fees varies depending on your vehicle, including value, model, year and additional information.
To ship a vehicle to Costa Rica, certain original documents are required. You will need a title or registration card and a bill of sale for each vehicle.
In addition, as of June 7, 2000, all vehicles entering Costa Rica must complete an Environmental Protection Agency Smog Test, signed by the Consulate of the country of origin. Their freight forwarding company can provide you with additional information about auto shipping, sometimes referred to as “roll on roll off” or Ro Ro shipping.
bring pets
If you are moving to Costa Rica and are interested in bringing your cat or dog with you, learn more about the required documentation. Make sure your cat or dog has:
- Rabies vaccination
- Health certificate
- Invoice indicating the value of your animal
There is a lot to think about as you prepare to ship international cargo to Costa Rica. A reliable and trustworthy freight forwarding company can provide assistance with all country-specific import rules and regulations. Choosing the right international freight forwarding company can help keep your international shipping and overseas moving experience running smoothly.