Ship Car To Costa Rica

Ship Your Car To Or From Costa Rica

Shipping your car to or from Costa Rica has always been challenging with A1 Auto Transport. As an industry leader in international vehicle haulage, we ensure a seamless and stress-free experience from start to finish.

Expert Team

Our team of experts handles all the logistics, from customs documentation to secure transport, guaranteeing your car arrives safely and on time. Whether relocating to the beautiful beaches of CR or returning home, trust A1 Auto Transport to deliver exceptional service and peace of mind.

Reasonable Rates

With competitive rates and a commitment to customer satisfaction, we make shipping your car to or from Costa Rica smooth and hassle-free.

How Much Does It Cost?

• Shipping a car to Costa Rica typically costs $1,500–$3,500 depending on origin, vehicle size, shipping method, and destination port.
• Ocean transport to Costa Rica commonly takes 2–6 weeks including export handling, sailing time, customs clearance, and local delivery arrangements.
• Vehicle imports to Costa Rica require customs paperwork, duties, inspections, and compliance with government regulations before final release.

*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.

*Save on ground transport costs by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.

*Allow an additional 10 days to process the documents.

*Prices are for 1 car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.

*The RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive, and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.

Why Choose A1 Auto Transport for Your Costa Rica Car Shipping Needs?

Choosing A1 Auto Transport for your Costa Rica hauling needs ensures a seamless, stress-free experience tailored to your requirements as an industry leader with years of expertise.

Timely Delivery

Our comprehensive services cover everything from door-to-door pickup and delivery to customs clearance and documentation, ensuring your vehicle arrives safely and on time. With a commitment to competitive pricing, state-of-the-art equipment, and a team of dedicated professionals, we stand out as the premier choice for all your car haulage needs to the Republic of CR.

International Vehicle Shipping Company

Shipping/exporting a car internationally can be challenging if you are not adequately prepared or must select a reputable auto conveyance company. However, if you allow plenty of preparation time and gather some information, the entire process can move forward without a hitch.

About the Country

Costa Rica is a vibrant and beautiful country with two central shipping ports: Puerto Limón and Puerto Caldera. Both of these ports can receive individual car imports, so it depends on the origination and destination of your vehicle to determine which port will work best.

Emissions Testing

It is important to note that CR requires emissions testing for any vehicle imported into the country. This testing MUST be completed two months before shipping the car!

Options Available

Two options for shipping/exporting a vehicle into CR are Temporary or Permanent Import. Either selection still requires emissions testing, but there are some significant differences in procedure depending on the outcome.

Popular Destinations:

• Alajuela
• Curridabat
• Liberia
• Puerto Limón
• San Jose

Required Documents For Shipping A Vehicle To Costa Rica

Vehicles brought into Costa Rica from non-residents for three months or less are NOT subject to customs taxes. The documentation required is as follows (it's a good idea to bring copies and originals, both front and back):

1. Passport.
2. Driver's License (ensure copies are made of BOTH sides)
3. Registration certificate.
4. Title (if a vehicle is owned free and clear)
5. If the person bringing the car is NOT the owner, authorization from the owner permitting the vehicle to enter another country must be provided (notarized and certified by a Central American country consulate)
6. Temporary use permit (TVUP)
7. We have a certified emissions test.
8. Bill of lading.

Steps of Procedure

1. Fill out the form for temporary import provided by Central American country(CR) Customs.
2. Present copies and originals of the documents/items listed above (ensure passport displays migratory condition, must match date of duration for which you seek temporary import status)
3. If you are a Costa Rican citizen, provide proof of residency.
4. Be prepared to pay a couple of small fees for the temporary import permission, currently $25 at a particular customs window, and $15 to Costa Rican National Insurance Institute (but both fees are subject to change) [source:peptidescostarica.net]

Permanent Import

To permanently import a vehicle into Costa Rica, it is best to contact a Customs agent first, but you can more or less expect to follow the following procedure. In addition to the documents required for temporary import, you will also need to produce:

• Commercial Invoice.
• Bill of Lading.

Taxes

Costa Rica's import taxes are higher than those in many other countries. However, because the sales tax on vehicle purchases can also be significantly higher, it may still be financially sensible to ship your car.

Determine Taxation Percentage

Many variables determine the amount of tax charged. The first is the age of the car:

• If the vehicle is three years old or newer, the taxed percentage is 52.29%
• If the car is 4-5 years old, the taxed percentage is 63.91%
• If the car is older than six years, the taxed percentage is 79.03%

Value of Vehicle

The next contributing factor is determining the vehicle's value. The value is determined in one of two ways, and Costa Rica always uses the higher value produced to calculate import taxes.

Import Value of the Vehicle

It is determined by the Ministry of Finance AutoValor, which is essentially Costa Rica’s version of Kelley Blue Book.

OR...

The commercial invoice value plus all shipping and insurance charges. This is often called C.I.F. (Cost, Insurance, and Freight).

Reputable Organization

As with any new experience, there is a learning curve. However, with proper knowledge and a reputable conveyance such as A-1 Auto Transport by your side, this new venture can be more exciting and much less tedious.

Hauling Of Heavy Equipment & Oversized Cargo To the Rich Coast

The fastest, most affordable, and most accessible way to ship heavy Equipment or oversized cargo to another country is through reliable and well-received international transporters. For instance, A1 Auto Transport has been shipping cargo nationally and internationally for nearly three decades.

Best Services

With our broad networking capabilities, skilled technicians, access to the right transporting haulers and Equipment, use of the latest shipping technologies, and education in import laws, we can quickly ship your oversized cargo or heavy Equipment to Costa Rica.

What Kind of heavy equipment and oversized cargo can we move?

Throughout history, we have shipped countless amounts of heavy Equipment, large vehicles, and oversized cargo. To give you more of an idea…

• Construction Equipment
• Industrial Equipment
• Backhoes
• Forklifts
• Skidders
• Scrapers
• Mining Equipment
• Large Trucks or Heavy Vehicles
• Cranes
• Engineering Equipment
• Agricultural Equipment and more…

Insurance Coverage

It doesn’t matter what type of Equipment or cargo you have or where you want it shipped to; we offer every one of our customers insurance coverage. The coverage you receive may not cover the entire value of your cargo, but if you wish for the best protection, we offer additional insurance packages.

Relevant Statistics

• Over 10,000 cars are shipped to Costa Rica annually from around the world.
• The average cost of shipping a car to CR is approximately $2,500.
• Around 85% of the cars shipped to Costa Rica are used vehicles.
• Central American country CR imposes a 30% import tax on cars brought into the country, resulting in significant revenue for the government.
• Over 60% of all cars imported to Costa Rica come from the United States.

General Facts

• Shipping a car to Costa Rica involves transporting a vehicle from another country to Costa Rica.
• The process typically includes documentation, customs clearance, and logistics.
• Import taxes and fees may apply when bringing a car into Costa Rica.
• It is essential to research and comply with Costa Rican laws and regulations regarding vehicle importation.
• Shipping companies specializing in vehicle transportation can assist and guide the necessary steps.

How Do We Haul Your Heavy Equipment or Oversized Cargo?

The specifics of your load will determine your options for getting your oversized freight to Costa Rica in the future. Nonetheless, we offer four distinct transport options.

Contact Us

We will review your choices when you contact us to arrange your conveyance. Here is some more detail to help you picture these transportation options:

RoRo Shipping is the least expensive transport method because it is an open-air service requiring your vehicle or equipment to roll onto and off the ship using a ramp.

LoLo Shipping—This open-air service is recommended to anyone with inoperable vehicles or crated equipment, such as an engine.

Flat Rack Shipping- this open-air moving method fastens your cargo to a metal rack before being placed on the boat.

Container Shipping is the most expensive option but provides the most security. It is available to those with heavy cargo that can fit into a 40-foot container.