Customs fees

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  • #196024
    micololo
    Member

    Does anybody know of an internet site to find customs fees for bringing stuff and vehicule to CR?

    #196025
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    You might want to read: How Do Import Taxes Work in Costa Rica?

    [ https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/421.cfm ]

    Scott Oliver – Founder
    WeLoveCostaRica.com

    #196026
    costaricafinca
    Participant

    Here is a link for vehicle importation, http://www.hacienda.go.cr/autohacienda/autovalor.aspx
    Expect the unexpected, though…

    #196027
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    Would that be a typical British understatement costaricafinca? 🙂

    “Expect the unexpected, though… “

    Scott

    #196028
    guru
    Member

    To reinforce the above:

    “Abandon hope all ye who enter here” should be posted over the doors of all the customs offices in Costa Rica. There are no lists. . .

    I have friends that have imported cars, trucks, machinery. . . Now through both Caribbean and Pacific ports AND by truck. The rates follow no logic and the bureaucracy has no logic. The rules seem to be made up as they go along, nobody is willing to make any decision and WORSE, they are relatively honest in CR and you cannot just pay someone and go. Folks would be HAPPY to just pay the fees. But besides not being able to get a straight forward answer to fees there are often long delays getting things out of customs. The delays and unknown release time can be more costly than the customs fees. My friends now know that they can expect nothing to work and just make sure their schedule is flexible and pay the fees as they come up.

    If you need an approximate rate on import duties try to compare the price of a car in the U.S. to the same model in Costa Rica. Note that if you are thinking about importing an older car that they proportionately charge more for older cars meeting lower air pollution standards and this can negate savings on importing a used car.

    Costa Rica operates primarily on import duties. They need this tax revenue. The low wages and low taxes you will directly or indirectly pay for years will easily offset these those import duties. Pay them and enjoy the benefits.

    #196029
    kimball
    Member

    Does CR have auto emissions tests?

    #196030
    DavidCMurray
    Participant

    Yes, cars are emission-tested and safety inspected when they are imported into Costa Rica. Then, depending on the age of the car, they are again tested and inspected every year or two.

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