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Bring your stuff!
As you approach Costa Rica, the flight crew will give you a Customs form on which you must declare what you’re importing, but their real interest is in things that have commercial significance — anything that’s meant for resale or sales samples, for example. None of that will apply to you.
Whenever Marcia and I travel to the States, we shop like crazy for things we can’t find here or which are expensive here. We go up with one large duffle bag of our personal stuff, two carryons, and a second duffle bag with two more inside.
When we return, we bring all four duffles stuffed to the gills plus the carryons. Most of it is new, but out of the packages, and all of it is intended exclusively for our personal use save for some things we mule in for friends. All of that has included electronics, tools, medications and supplements, pet supplies, clothing, kitchen stuff, and a host of other things.
In six trips, we have been pulled aside once when the Customs officer saw a TV tuner in the x-rays. The officer who opened our bags looked into the first five, found nothing, and sent us on our way. The tuner was in the sixth bag.
Don’t sweat it. Bring your stuff.
bring the essentials with you. things you will need immediately to start your life here. everything else can be bought here — including really good Cuisinart pans, knives, utensils, etc. yes, they are a little more expensive, but so what? by the time you pay $100 for every extra bin you bring, you could buy really nice stuff here. 8 years ago it was hard to find do-dads for the kitchen, but now there are several big stores in my town that have the most wonderful glassware, plates, kitchen tools, knives, etc. and baking pans (imported from Spain — cheaper than what i paid for a similar pan in the US), and the most amazing thing i found here was 600TC sheets, organic too, at Wal-Mart (or maxi bodega). i brought down that which i needed to immediately set up shop — there was no way i could’ve gone around and found those same items because i didn’t have a car until just this year. but things have changed here and there are a lot more high-end items than even just two or three years ago. now when my husband goes to the States about all he brings back with him are chia seeds, extra vitamins, dog soap (although i found a better item at the local vet for half the cost!), and some nicknacks that i have stored in my shed at the other house. what i liked the most about doing things the way i did them was that i bought exactly what i needed for living here.
Amazing that this conversation has been around for AGES in this forum.
My wifes family comes every 3-4 months and they buy the same things, SMALL items, over and over again and again
Clothes, Shoes, Watches, Laptops, Plasma TV’s, Phones, kitchen appliances (rice makers, pressure cooker, can opener, linen, towels etc.. and never a big item like a fridge, stove, furniture.
I will go the way the Ticos go when I buy anything and save $$$$.
I send in a 45″ x 45″ x 45″ cardbox small items for $145.00 every 2 months and that includes bathroom fixtures, electric outlets, electric breaker box, a hammer, drill, drill bits and other small tools.
I send in a 45″ x 45″ x 45″ cardbox small items for $145.00 every 2 months and that includes bathroom fixtures, electric outlets, electric breaker box, a hammer, drill, drill bits and other small tools.
Aguirrewar, is this cardbox sent by air cargo? If
so what airline did you use? Sounds like a good deal.
Thanks
Bev
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