How Do Import Taxes Work in Costa Rica?

Well, do you want the politically correct answer or the truth?

The system is supposed to be ruled by laws that set up: a) customs organization and, b) a list of all imaginable products, or at least general categories of products. Those products are given a “taxable value” and a percentage of such value is applied to obtain the final amount of import duties to be paid.

If products are new, a commercial receipt is indispensable, then a comparison is run to determine the highest value (that given by the law or the one on the bill) and then taxes are applied over that higher value.

Taxes are due on practically every single item you bring or receive. A couple of CD’s? Yes! You will pay your customs duties. Books? Yes! But thankfully only 1% of the value.

Now the truth: Well if you really want to deal with a mega-bureaucracy, then try and deal with the customs officials…

As a Costa Rican and an attorney (20 years in practice) I will not waste my time dealing with that labyrinth of bureaucracy and disinformation.

The only way to deal with that is going with the flow, meaning: Find a reliable, trustworthy customs broker and do what he says, pay what he says you have to pay and to whom he says. They take care of all. The client doesn’t have to do anything else apart from giving whatever monies are needed directly to the broker and he will bring your goods to your door.

Are those laws similar to the “Blue Book? Sort of, except the ‘Blue Book’ is for cars. We proudly have the Codigo Uniforme Aduanero Centroamericano or CAUCA, and its by-law, RECAUCA, and some other mysterious laws, that sometimes not even the custom brokers know about.

But again, my best advice on this matter: Don’t even try to work with the customs officials yourself, you are simply not equipped to play this game.

If you want to come in peace to Costa Rica, heed my advice, do not try to beat the system, you will never escape the labyrinth… you will be eaten alive by the Customs Minotaur.

A good site for a guesstimate for car importation taxes is the Ministro de Hacienda Car Tica website here.

Attorney Jose Rafael Fernandez Quesada has been in private practice as an International Law counselor in Costa Rica since 1985. He works mainly with foreign clients from Europe, Canada and the USA who are living in or doing business in Costa Rica.

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.