Deciding what to bring to Costa Rica — and how to get it there — is one of the biggest practical decisions you'll face. Here's our advice based on helping hundreds of families make the move.
Should You Ship or Buy New?
General rule: Ship sentimental items and specialty goods. Buy furniture and appliances locally.
Worth shipping: - Personal items with sentimental value - Specialty kitchen equipment - Tools and hobby equipment - Electronics (if newer/better than what's available locally) - Art and decorations - Vehicles (especially under Law #9996)
Better to buy locally: - Basic furniture (beds, sofas, tables) - Appliances (many are 110V like US/Canada) - Linens, towels, basic household goods - Anything heavy and cheap
Shipping Methods
Full Container (FCL) - **20-foot container:** $3,000–$5,000 from US East Coast - **40-foot container:** $5,000–$8,000 from US East Coast - Best for: Large shipments, vehicles + household goods combined - Transit time: 2–4 weeks by sea
Shared Container (LCL) - **Cost:** $80–$150 per cubic foot - Best for: Smaller shipments (10–50 boxes) - Transit time: 3–6 weeks
Air Freight - **Cost:** $4–$8 per pound - Best for: Urgent items, small packages - Transit time: 3–5 days
Vehicle Shipping - **Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo):** $1,500–$3,000 per vehicle - **Container:** $3,000–$5,000 per vehicle (safer, enclosed) - Transit time: 2–4 weeks
Customs and Duty-Free Benefits
Under Law #9996 (for approved residents): - **Vehicles:** Up to 2 imported duty-free (any combination of cars, trucks, boats, airplanes) - **Household goods and personal effects:** Not subject to duty - You must have approved residency to claim these benefits
Without Law #9996: - Import duty on vehicles: 50–80% of value - Import duty on household goods: 15–30% - Electronics: 15–30%
The savings under Law #9996 make it essential to have your residency approved before shipping.
Customs Process in Costa Rica
1. Shipment arrives at Puerto Limón (Caribbean) or Puerto Caldera (Pacific) 2. Customs broker processes your paperwork 3. Inspection (may or may not happen) 4. Pay any duties (or present Law #9996 exemption) 5. Delivery to your home
Budget $500–$1,500 for customs brokerage fees in addition to shipping costs.
Important Tips
1. Create a detailed inventory — List every item with estimated value. You'll need this for customs. 2. Take photos — Document everything before packing. 3. Use a reputable international mover — Get at least 3 quotes. 4. Insure your shipment — Standard coverage is minimal. 5. Pack for humidity — Costa Rica is tropical. Use waterproof containers for anything sensitive. 6. Don't ship prohibited items — No firearms, drugs, certain plants, or meat products. 7. Time it right — Have your shipment arrive after your residency is approved to claim duty-free benefits.
What Our Clients Typically Ship
Based on our experience with 500+ relocations: - Most ship 1–2 vehicles + 20–50 boxes of personal items - Average total cost: $5,000–$12,000 including shipping, customs, and delivery - Average timeline: 4–8 weeks from door to door
Need help planning your move? We can connect you with trusted shipping companies and guide you through the customs process. Contact us for a free consultation.
