Costa Rica literally translates into English as 'rich coast'. And this country is not only an upper-middle income nation, but it is also blessed with biodiversity and beautiful scenery, not to mention being:
The only tropical country to have reversed deforestation
The most visited country in Central America
Politically stable with no standing army
E-commerce has a solid base in Costa Rica due to a well developed telecommunications network and information technology initiatives. As the country has a 179% cell phone penetration rate and a 99% literacy rate, its citizens should benefit from continued international trade liberalization and economic growth. Shipping to Costa Rica from Canada certainly has a bright future.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Costa Rica through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Costa Rica. In case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Costa Rica
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Jun 2, 2023
8:49 am
Purral, PU, CR
Delivered
Jun 1, 2023
7:18 am
San Francisco, SF, CR
In transit
May 31, 2023
9:03 pm
Limon, LI, CR
International Clearance
May 31, 2023
8:14 am
San Jose, SJ, CR
In transit
May 31, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
May 30, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Costa Rica before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Most documents may be shipped to Costa Rica from Canada duty-free provided they have no commercial value. Document shipments may include any of the following:
Bids
Cash letters
Charts and maps
Drawings
Driver's license
Graphs
Intercompany mail
Manuscripts
Maps
Manuscripts
Newspapers
Pamphlets
Seismic data
Visa applications
The following items may be shipped duty-free if they meet the criteria shown in the table below:
Item
Restriction
Business cards
Maximum of 1 kg, no more than 1 unit per shipment and of no commercial value
Computer print-outs
Maximum shipment weight of 10 kg
Catalogues
Maximum shipment weight of 5 kg; and for personal use only
Cheques
Only if cancelled
Credit cards
No more than 1 per shipment
Diskettes
For information purposes and personal use only Cannot be software
Films
For personal use only; and limited to 2 rolls
Intercompany data on CD-Rom or disc
Only if they have no commercial value. 'Intercompany data on diskette/CD-ROM' must be specified in the Description of Goods field
Newsletters
Only intercompany documents for use within the company are allowed
Shipping gifts from Canada to Costa Rica may be exempt from duty under certain conditions.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
A gift shipment sent from an individual in Canada to an individual in Costa Rica will be subject to duty and taxes if it is valued over $50 USD (about $60 CAD).
Shipments from Business-to-Business
A gift shipped from a business in Canada to a business in Costa Rica will incur duty only if its value is $50 USD or above (about $60 CAD).
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
A gift shipped from a business in Canada to an individual in Costa Rica may be exempt from duty if its value is $500 USD (about $600 CAD) or less provided items are for personal use and have no commercial value.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time
(see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Juan Santamaría Provincia de Alajuela Alajuela Costa Rica
Phone: +1 (506) 2441-4775
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
If you are sending more than one gift in one shipment, be sure to wrap and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Juan Santamaría Provincia de Alajuela Alajuela Costa Rica
Phone: +1 (506) 2441-4775
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Personal effects - new and used - shipped to Costa from Canada may be exempt from duty under the following conditions:
For returning Costa Ricans with proof of residence in Canada for a minimum of 2 consecutive years
Foreigners with valid work or study permits
Permanent residents of Costa Rica returning after having gone to work or study abroad for more than 6 consecutive months
Foreigners who acquire property or rent a home in Costa Rica for at least 6 months
NOTE: The exemption must be applied for within 6 months of arrival in Costa Rica.
The exemption is allowed providing the household goods comply to the following:
They are for the personal use of the importer and/or his or her family
The items are used, and arrive in Costa Rica directly from Canada
Regarding appliances, there is only 1 item of each type
Office equipment, tools, and associated materials are NOT included
Moving Temporarily
Students
Students moving temporarily to Costa Rica from Canada to study may ship their personal effects to Costa Rica.
Personal effects may include:
Educational materials (paper and pens)
Microcomputers up to $1,500 USD (about $1,800 CAD)
Furniture used by a student, like a desk and chair
Non-Students
Foreigners moving to Costa Rica from Canada temporarily to work may be exempt from duty if they have a valid work permit. The request for exemption must be made 6 months prior to moving.
Moving Permanently
Costa Rican nationals who are returning to Costa Rica to live permanently may import their personal effects duty-free. Personal effects must be for use of the shipper or his/her family only and the request for exemption made 6 months prior to moving.
This exemption applies to:
All Costa Ricans of legal age who have lived in Canada for a minimum of 2 years
Permanent residents of Costa Rica returning after having gone to work or study in Canada
NOTE: Request for exemption must be made 6 months prior to moving
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects'
(see sample)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
Juan Santamaría Provincia de Alajuela Alajuela Costa Rica
Phone: +1 (506) 2441-4775
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2021 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
Commercial samples are those that can only be used for demonstration purposes. The goal is to encourage people to place orders of the samples, not to sell them.
Samples shipped to Costa Rica from Canada will be exempt from duty and tax if:
Items displayed are intended for exhibitions, fairs, or cultural events
The exhibition or fair has a detailed program and schedule
There is no more than one specimen per size and type
Items have no commercial value
The exhibitor is an organization officially registered in Canada
Shipper must provide a guarantee on temporary imports
Commercial Sample Checklist
A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Juan Santamaría Provincia de Alajuela Alajuela Costa Rica
Phone: +1 (506) 2441-4775
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
As Costa Rica and Canada are part of a free-trade agreement (CCRFTA), material sent from Canada to Costa Rica for repair
or renovation will be exempt from duty as long as the material is under warranty.
Items Under Warranty
When material is shipped to Canada for repair work under a warranty, i.e. provided free of charge, it will be exempt from Costa Rican customs duty and taxes.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Material no longer under warranty being repaired in Costa Rica and shipped back to Canada will be subject to duty and taxes and GST on the value of the repair and on any added parts.
Sending Product for Repair to Costa Rica
Material sent to Costa Rica from Canada for repair will be exempt provided it is under warranty.
Returning Repaired Product to Costa Rica
Material returning to Costa Rica after being sent to Canada for repairs will be exempt from duty only if it is under warranty. Taxes will apply to the value added to the equipment.
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Costa Rica or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Juan Santamaría Provincia de Alajuela Alajuela Costa Rica
Phone: +1 (506) 2441-4775
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Importing items temporarily into Costa Rica will be exempt from duties and taxes under specific conditions.
These temporary imports often include the following and may be exempt from duty up to 1 year:
Goods displayed at an exhibition or fair, and are re-exported without being altered
Professional and scientific equipment
Commercial samples
Equipment shipped for repairs, restoration, or conditioning
NOTE: Costa Rica does not accept ATA Carnets for temporary imports.
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Juan Santamaría Provincia de Alajuela Alajuela Costa Rica
Phone: +1 (506) 2441-4775
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
Because of the Free Trade Agreement between Costa Rica and Canada (CCRFTA), most sold goods shipped to Costa Rica from Canada will be duty-free; however, they will incur VAT (IGV).
Occasional Shipper
If you only ship occasionally to Costa Rica, for example, items sold on eBay, it will be fairly simple. You must:
Include 3 copies of the commercial invoice with your shipment
Provide a detailed description of the goods on the commercial invoice
Regular Shipper
If you regularly ship sold goods to Costa Rica from Canada, you may be exempt from duty if you send small shipments to family members only.
However, for all other circumstances, we recommend you employ the services of a licenced Costa Rican customs broker.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Juan Santamaría Provincia de Alajuela Alajuela Costa Rica
Phone: +1 (506) 2441-4775
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Costa Rica. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Costa Rica, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
No specific form is required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Prohibited goods are not allowed to be shipped to Costa Rica while restricted goods indicate there are rules that apply to the amount of goods or who may send them.
Duty and taxes on goods shipped to Costa Rica are calculated using the CIF value of the shipment, i.e. the sum of the customs value plus freight costs plus insurance charges.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
Knowing the CIF value will help you predict the duty and taxes owed by the recipient.
Thresholds
Costa Rican customs does recognise a threshold value on shipments (also called the de minimis value). This means that all shipments entering the country, regardless of value, will incur duty and taxes.
Currency
Colón CRC
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
N/A
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
13%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
N/A
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Excise Taxes
Excise taxes are charged on alcohol, tobacco, and tobacco products.
The Canada Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA) allows duty exemptions on most sold goods shipped between Canada and Costa Rica. However, certain items will incur taxes. They include cigarettes, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages as well as a luxury tax identified as a selective consumption tax (ISC).
Candy0%
Chocolate0%
Spirits and WinesVariable*
TobaccoVariable*
Books0%
Documents0%
Video Games & Consoles0%
Computers & Laptops0%
Tablets0%
Mobiles0%
Cameras0%
Accessories for Electronics0%
Coats0%
Beauty Products & Cosmetics0%
Jewellery0%
Shirts & Pants0%
Home Appliances0%
Toys0%
Sports Equipment0%
Alcohol: Up to 15% alcohol content: ₡3.43 (about 10¢ CAD) /mL of alcohol, and from 15% up to 30% alcohol content: ₡4.11 (about 11¢ CAD) /mL of alcohol
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to Costa Rica from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.
