There are three different ways to transport your vehicle to Costa Rica, those being by air, sea or land, however, the law regarding the importation of any vehicle is the same. Below, I have outlined the procedure for clearing you car though customs, in the event that you had your vehicle shipped via sea. If you drive your car into the country or have it flow in, the same requirements exist with respect to obtaining and renewing your drivers permit.
Most vehicles arrive by sea, by way of a shipping vessel. The largest port in Costa Rica for this type of merchandise (in fact, for all merchandise) is Puerto Limón, which resides on the Atlantic side. A second port, Puerto Caldera, is located on the Pacific Coast; a few hours drive from San José. Unless your vehicle departs from California or Vancouver, your vehicle will most likely arrive in Puerto Limón. Some shipping companies make stops in Honduras, or other destinations, prior to arriving in Costa Rica, while others make a direct route. The length of time required to ship your vehicle depends on which shipping company you work with, but most vary between 4 days and 10 days.
Most individuals shipping their vehicle will do so with the assistance of a freight forwarder/customs broker. Most North American based operations work hand in hand with local brokers to handle the Costa Rican side of the shipment; few have offices in both locations. Depending on the type of vessel you choose, your vehicle can be shipped either in a container or on what is called a car deck. The most secure means to transport your vehicle is in a container, as the car is placed and secured within the container before departing, and not opened until it arrives or goes through customs. Some larger containers can accommodate several cars simultaneously, while others only one. Car decks accommodate numerous vehicles, all of which have to be driven on and off the vessel. The possibility of damage and theft exists more with this type of shipment. If you can afford it, we recommend a container.
Depending on what freight forwarder you use, you should have the opportunity to clear your vehicle through to San José, which means that your car will not go through customs in either Puerto Limón or Puerto Caldera. If your vehicle was shipped in a container, the container itself will not be opened until it arrives to the capital of San José. An additional fee is required for this service (clearing your vehicle through to San José), however, it is well worth it. Vehicles tend to clear customs much quicker in San José than they do at the ports, which is of great importance if you plan on clearing the vehicle yourself through customs. Clearing your vehicle yourself is not a complicated procedure, however, being fluent Spanish is definitely required. The procedure to clear your vehicle can be accomplished within one day, if you followed the directions properly. Clearing your vehicle through customs yourself in Puerto Limón or Puerto Caldera is a much more complicated procedure, as you have to go there (approximately 2-2 1/2 hours by bus), and there is no guarantee that you will accomplish the procedure in one day. You would then have to stay overnight and complete the procedure the following day. If you intend to clear it yourself, have the car cleared through to San José. If you are not fluent in the language, we recommend that you hire a local customs broker. Most North American freight forwarders will provide you with assistance in Costa Rica for an additional fee; that being a customs broker (discuss this with your shipping agent before shipping your vehicle).
As a tourist, you are afforded the right to drive the vehicle for three months without paying taxes. The time begins when you enter the country, not when the vehicle enters the country. For example, if you enter Costa Rica on the 1st of October, but your vehicle enters on the 1st of November, you will only have two months to drive the vehicle, not three. This is very important to keep in mind. You will be required to pay a local tax, some additional fees, all of which add up to around $90.00 US (normally this is all part of the customs procedure). At the end of three months, you have the right to extend the right to drive the vehicle for an additional three months. In order to do this you must follow the following procedure (this is what the law stipulates):
You have to leave the country prior to the three month limit, anywhere for 48 hours. When you re-enter, they will re-stamp your passport, which will allow you to drive the vehicle for three additional months. If you wait until the three month period is up, theoretically you are required by law to pay the taxes on the vehicle. We highly recommend that you do not drive the vehicle if the permit has expired. Any vehicle being driven after the permit has expired is by law, an abandoned vehicle. The police have the legal right to confiscate the vehicle and not give it back. Most likely, they will compound the vehicle until the taxes are paid. Either way, it will not be fun.
Special Considerations:
Always keep the permission papers in the vehicle
at all times. If you are pulled over and cannot
produce the documents, they will detain you
and most likely compound the vehicle.
Do not, under any circumstances, allow a local Costa Rican to drive your vehicle. By law, only the person(s) on the permission slip can drive the vehicle. It is illegal for a Costa Rican to drive a tourist vehicle; the transit police have the legal right to compound the vehicle. A hefty fine could result, or even worse, they could force you to pay taxes on the vehicle.
Before shipping the vehicle, take the license plates off the vehicle and either carry them down with you or ship them with a mail carrier. Plates are often removed(stolen) during transport or when the vehicles arrive. If your plates get stolen, you will be required to make up fake plates to place on the car, as you legally need plates to operate the vehicle.
| Free Guide Books | Contact Us |