You Can Schlepp the Small Stuff, But the Big Stuff Will Need to be Shipped on a Container.
“I have a lot of ‘stuff’ in my home in Houston. How do I get it to Playas del Coco?”
So, you’ve decided that you want to make the move to Costa Rica! But you can’t fathom living without your great grandmother’s solid oak Victorian armoire, your Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed, your Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, and your Contender 32 ST twin Yamaha 300 HP outboard “fishing machine”.
Fret not. It’s very common for people to ship household items, furniture, motorcycles, cars and boats via 20- or 40-foot shipping containers. And there are plenty of companies out there that will handle the whole process for you from door to door. Will it be cost effective? Well, that depends on what you’re shipping here. Here are some bullet points on the basics to keep in mind as you begin your search for a shipping agent.
• Shipping your belongings to Costa Rica can be cost effective, especially if they’re not available here for purchase. So, shipping at least some of your belongings may make sense, instead of purchasing them when you get here.
• Shipping costs are relative, of course, and you’ll have to do your homework. You should figure on spending around $9,000 on a 20-foot container filled with household goods from Houston to El Coco. That number should include full packing, wrapping, preparation for export, preparation of inventory, ocean freight, customs clearance in Costa Rica, and delivery to your residence at the beach.
• The above number does not include some incidental costs on the Costa Rica side. Port handling, customs bonded warehousing, customs inspections, etc. will probably run you about $800 to $1000 extra.
• Taxes on shipments to Costa Rica are heavy – typically about 32% payable upon entry. Did you raise an eyebrow? That 32% number can be tempered a bit because the tax can be applied to the depreciated value (a.k.a. “garage sale value”) of the items you’re shipping. That lowers your taxable base.
Sidebar: The recently ratified Ley para la Atracción de Inversionistas, Rentistas, y Pensionados ("Law for the Attraction of Investors, Annuities, and Pensioners") gives duty free and exemption from all import taxes for people who make an investment of $150,000. This is great news for foreigners looking to purchase real estate here on Costa Rica! They will also enjoy a twenty percent exemption on the total transfer tax on real estate properties provided the beneficiary is the registered owner of the property.
The one-time only exemption from import taxes applies to the importation of new or used household goods "of a reasonable nature and quantity and proportionally sufficient for the needs of the beneficiary of this law and members of their immediate family nucleus including, among others, household furniture, electrical appliances, home decoration items, kitchen and bathroom utensils, and bed linen."
You may also import "up to two land, air, and/or sea transport vehicles, for personal or family use, free of all import, tariff and value-added taxes."
AND, you will also automatically qualify for temporary Residencia Inversionista ('Investor Residency").
• Shipping costs for motor vehicles to Costa Rica are fairly reasonable. But the import taxes on boats, cars, motorcycles, etc. are set at 52% to 72% of the book value. Costa Rica’s book value is based on the vehicle year. It’s not the same as the Blue Book that’s used in the US.
• Figure on purchasing insurance for your precious cargo at a rate of about 2.25% of declared value, with a $500 deductible.
• Make sure whatever company you’re dealing with can pack your stuff in boxes, crates, protect furniture, etc., and load and secure the shipment.
• Make sure you do a very careful and detailed inventory of everything in the shipment. Typically, the agent for the company you hire to ship your belongings will provide this service. It is critical and required for US Customs and aduana (“Costa Rica Customs”).
• Yes. You can ship guns to Costa Rica. But there are certain restrictions on the Costa Rica side that will require a permit from the Ministerio de Seguridad Pública (“Ministry of Public Security”). Costs associated with permitting and clearance will run you about $500 extra.
• If you’re shipping items in manufacturers’ cartons, provide the original receipt or a statement under oath stating the product value. Your taxes will be based on the original cost.
• Figure on a transit time of 5 to 8 weeks. Obviously, it will depend on where you’re located in the US. You may also require storage for your belongings in the US and/or Costa Rica. The time on the water is about 18 days. Make sure your shipping provider can provide those services. Most do.
• There are a few ways your belongings can arrive in Costa Rica. Smaller shipments are crated and moved in a consolidated container. In other words, your stuff is mixed with other peoples’ stuff. Larger shipments can be moved exclusively in 20- and 40-foot containers. Cars can be loaded with household goods. Or they can be shipped separately with carriers that specialize in moving autos around the world.
• By Costa Rican law, every shipment here has to be delivered to a aduana (“customs”) bonded warehouse for inspection before it can be shipped to your front door at the beach. Typically, an agent for the shipping company will arrange for customs clearance upon arrival of your shipment. It could take 10 to 15 days for your belongings to get the green light. The agent assigned to your customs clearance should arrange and coordinate your residential delivery with you.
• When your stuff gets to your new house at the beach, the shipping company should move, unwrap, and unpack all of your belongings and remove all trash.
• You should start planning your move at least 3 to 4 months ahead of your desired moving date. The shipping company will want to send a representative to meet with you. And you’ll have to complete a pre-move survey so you can get an accurate quote.
“What about small stuff? Can I schlep it down on a flight in a suitcase with me?”
Yes! Visitors entering Costa Rica may bring certain items in reasonable quantities for personal use like cigarettes (500 grams), wine or spirits (5 liters), candy (2 kilos), medicine, toys, a musical instrument, and the equivalent of $500 worth of merchandise. You can also bring one camera and one video camera, six rolls of film (who uses film anymore), binoculars, electrical items for personal use only, including laptops, cell phones, tablets, and other electronics. For a complete list visit the Embajada de Costa Rica’s (“Costa Rican Embassy’s”) website.
Customs officials rarely examine baggage by hand. But all baggage is x-rayed. If you run into a snag, you’re going to have to think fast on your feet or face paying import taxes – or a bribe – on your items over the $500 allowable amount.
The Wrap-up
I can’t really recommend any shipping and relocation services here. But if you do a Google search on the keywords: costa rica shipping services, you’ll get a plethora of results that will get you off in the right direction.
Most companies will require you to submit some basic personal information and fill out an online questionnaire. Typically, you will receive a call or email from an agent who will then ask you further questions so he can provide a detailed quote. After that, you’re on your way!
So, if you’re thinking about moving all – or even just some – of your stuff here, it’s better to plan sooner rather than later.