Guidelines for Customs
If you are planning on importing certain items from your home abroad to your newly purchased real estate property, Buyowner Costa Rica recommends you become acquainted with the custom laws of Costa Rica. This way you can avoid any hassles and make your transition into the country a lot more easily.
Costa Rica customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or exportation from Costa Rica of items such as cars, household effects and merchandise. Bear in mind that these regulations can be quite complicated and include the application of local tax laws. Addiontally, Costa Rican customs officials often require documentation that has been certified by the Costa Rican Embassy/Consulate in the country of origin. This is especially true for imported vehicles. The Government of Costa Rica has instituted strict emission requirements for these cars and will not release them without an emission statement from the country of origin. Buyowner Costa Rica recommends for you to contact the Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington or one of Costa Rica's Consulates in the United States or your native country for specific information in regards to customs requirements before shipping any items.
Details for the importing of automotive terrestrial, aerial and marine vehicles to Costa Rica for non-lucrative aims
TEMPORARY IMPORT
You are allowed to take your personal vehicle for three months if you are not a resident in the country.
The automotive vehicles can be imported or be exported temporarily, without the payment of the customs taxes.
You will require the following:
• Original and photocopy of passport.
• Original and photocopy of driver's license.
• Original and photocopy of the Registry of the vehicle.
• Original and photocopy of the Title of property of the vehicle under the regulations of the country of origin.
In the circumstance that the person taking the car is not the owner, the following is needed:
- Original and photocopy of authorization from the owner.
- Consular Certification, properly notarized and certified by a consulate of Costa Rica declaring the owner's consent that his/her vehicle enters the country.
Modus operandi:
Fill out temporary form for importing vehicles, provided by Customs in Costa Rica in the port of entrance to the country.
Present original and photocopies of both sides of the driver's license.
Present original and photocopy of your passport proving the migratory condition, effective to the date of length of the permit.
Present original and copy of the residence certificate, if you are a Costa Rican resident abroad.
Pay a fee of $25.00USD (amount might change from year to year) in the special window of the customs offices.
Pay the INS (Costa Rican National Insurance Institute) $15.00USD (amount may also be subject to change) in the customs offices.
The vehicle will be authorized to stay in the country for 3 months and possibly another 3 if allowed by the Customs Authorities.
PERMANENT IMPORT
For the permanent import of an automotive vehicle, it is required by the new law of customs to contract a registered Customs Agent.
You will require the following:
• Title of ownership
• Commercial Invoice
• Certified emissions test (authenticated by a Costa Rican consulate)
• If you enter the country with your vehicle via a highway you will need a contract of transport.
• If you enter the country with your vehicle via marine means you will need a bill of landing.
• If you enter the country with your vehicle via aerial means you will need an airway bill.
• The taxes or burdens of the vehicle are calculated depending on the corresponding value of the automobile. These are calculated Ad-Valorem, on the value stated in customs of the vehicle (value CIF: cost, insurance and freight). The value of the vehicle for this intention is determined by its value in the international market by means of the Blue/Black Book printed in the United States.
For additional information and customs taxes, please contact: The Ministry of Finance.
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