International movers to Costa Rica: shipping a household or a car

Household goods travel to Costa Rica by sea. A mover packs and loads a container in the US, ships it to a Costa Rican port, clears it through customs with a broker, and trucks it to your home.

Decide how much to bring

Shipping is priced by volume, and import taxes apply to most of what you bring. Furniture and appliances are available in Costa Rica, though good-quality and imported items cost more than in the US.

Many people bring what is hard to replace: a good mattress, tools, kitchen equipment, electronics, things with personal value. On the coasts, humidity is hard on leather, books, some wood furniture and electronics, which is another reason to ship less. Decide this first, because it changes the quote more than anything else.

How a shipment works

• Container or shared load. A full household fills a 20- or 40-foot container. Smaller shipments go as a shared load and take longer.
• Ports. Containers from the US East and Gulf coasts usually arrive at Moín, near Limón on the Caribbean. Shipments from the West Coast usually arrive at Caldera on the Pacific.
• Inventory. Customs needs a detailed packing list, with values, in Spanish.
• Customs. A licensed customs broker clears the shipment. Customs may open and inspect it, and assesses duty on its own valuation.
• Delivery. The container is trucked to your home. Check that a truck can reach it: many hillside and beach roads can’t take a container truck, and goods are moved to smaller vehicles.

Import taxes and exemptions

Expect to pay duty and sales tax on household goods. New items in their packaging attract more attention than used ones.

A 2021 law gave new pensionado, rentista and investor residents a one-time exemption for household goods and for up to two vehicles. It was time-limited for new applicants and depends on having residency approved, so confirm with your attorney whether it is available to you, and time the shipment around it if so.

Shipping a car

• Import taxes are based on the finance ministry’s valuation of the vehicle, not what you paid, and rise with the vehicle’s age. The total can exceed half of that value.
• The car then needs a technical inspection, registration and Costa Rican plates.
• Tourists can bring a vehicle in on a temporary permit tied to their permitted stay, without paying import tax. It has to leave when the permit ends.

Many people sell their car in the US and buy locally. Used cars in Costa Rica are expensive, but you avoid the uncertainty. If you do import, a common four-wheel-drive model with parts available locally is easier to live with.

When to book

Ask for quotes three to four months before you move. The mover needs to survey your home, and you want the arrival to line up with your housing and, if an exemption applies, with your residency.

What to ask before booking

• Is the quote door to door, including port charges, the customs broker and delivery in Costa Rica?
• What is not included? Ask specifically about import taxes, storage and inspection fees.
• Who is your agent in Costa Rica, and who do I call if the shipment is held at customs?
• What is insured, for how much, and who handles a claim?
• Can a container truck reach my address, and what does it cost if it can’t?
• What happens if my housing isn’t ready when the container arrives?

Common questions

Do I pay import tax on household goods shipped to Costa Rica?

Normally yes. Customs assesses used household goods and charges duty and sales tax on its valuation. A 2021 law gave some new residents a one-time exemption, with a time limit for new applicants, so ask your mover and attorney whether you qualify.

How much does it cost to import a car into Costa Rica?

Import taxes are charged on the government's own valuation of the vehicle, and the rate rises with the car's age. The total can exceed half of that value. Add shipping, port and registration costs. Get a tax estimate for your exact vehicle before you ship it.

How long does shipping to Costa Rica take?

Door to door, a household shipment from the US commonly takes four to eight weeks, including packing, the sea voyage and customs clearance. Delays at customs are the usual reason it takes longer.