🇨🇷 How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car to Costa Rica?
Combined import taxes in Costa Rica run about 52%–53% of a vehicle's CIF value. On a $10,000 (CIF) car that is roughly $5,200–$5,300 in duties and taxes — before ocean freight and local clearance. Below is the full 2026 breakdown, then a free calculator for your exact car.
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Key import facts for Costa Rica
- Combined import taxes (petrol/diesel): ~52%–53% of CIF
- Electric vehicles: ~12%–15% of CIF (EV incentives apply)
- Maximum vehicle age: no hard limit, but escalating over-age penalties
- Used-car imports: allowed (within the age rule)
- Driving side: left-hand drive (LHD)
- Local currency: CRC
Ocean freight to Costa Rica
| Destination port | RoRo (1 car ≈ 12.5 CBM) | 40HQ container (2–3 cars) | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moín (Limón) | $1,225–$1,525 | $2,900–$3,500 | 30–42 days |
| Caldera | $1,188–$1,475 | $2,900–$3,500 | 30–42 days |
RoRo cost shown for a midsize car (~12.5 CBM). A 40-foot high-cube container is shared across multiple cars. Figures marked * are estimates — confirm live rates with your forwarder.
Before you buy: entry rules for Costa Rica
These decide whether a vehicle can enter at all. Getting them wrong costs a container, not a margin.
- Age limit: no hard cap — counted from the year of manufacture. No import cap, but tax escalates hard with age: 52.29% (0–3 yrs), 63.91% (4–5), 79.03% (6+).
- Pre-shipment inspection: RTV (Revisión Técnica Vehicular) (Dekra Costa Rica) — Imported vehicles must pass the RTV roadworthiness and emissions test before registration; it recurs every two years thereafter.
Worked example: a $10,000 car, step by step
Every figure below is derived, not asserted — this is the same arithmetic our calculator runs. Base: $10,000 CIF (vehicle + freight + insurance at the destination port), a mid-size petrol car, new.
| Line | Rate | Charged on | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | 1% | CIF | $100 |
| Excise | 30% | CIF + duty | $3,030 |
| VAT | 13% | CIF + duty + excise | $1,707 |
| Para-fiscal levies | 4.1% | CIF — statistical, community and shipper-council levies | $413 |
| Duties and taxes | 52.5% | of CIF | $5,250 |
| Terminal charges | — | per 40HQ | $575 |
| Customs broker | — | per entry | $275 |
| Landed cost | — | CIF + taxes + port + clearance | $16,100 |
Excludes inland delivery, registration and any age-penalty tax. An older vehicle pays the age penalty on top — see the age table above. Change the vehicle, engine size or year in the calculator to re-derive this for your own unit.
Port charges and clearance in Costa Rica
On top of duties and taxes you pay the terminal and your broker. These are not part of the tax figures above.
| Charge | Typical range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal / carrier charges (THC, DO, security) | $450–$700 | per 40HQ |
| Customs broker / clearance fee | $200–$350 | per entry |
| Combined | $850 typical | per container |
Paperwork you must have
- TICA filing
- AutoValor reference check
Important: TICA prices the unit against the Hacienda AutoValor book — a low invoice does not lower the tax.
Ask your carrier for 14–21 days of destination free time (demurrage/detention) at booking — congested ports and high inspection rates make this the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Frequently asked questions
How much are import duties and taxes on a car in Costa Rica?
Combined import taxes (duty, excise and VAT) run about 52%–53% of the car's CIF value. On a $10,000 (CIF) car that is roughly $5,200–$5,300 in duties and taxes, before ocean freight and local port/clearance fees.
Is there an age limit for importing a car into Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has no hard age cut-off, but older cars carry an escalating over-age penalty on top of normal duties (4–6 yrs: +11.6%; 6–99 yrs: +26.7%).
How long does it take to ship a car to Moín (Limón), Costa Rica?
Ocean transit to Moín (Limón) is typically 30–42 days, depending on the origin port and sailing schedule.
Can I import a used car into Costa Rica?
Yes. Used vehicles can be imported into Costa Rica subject to the age rule and standard duties and taxes above.
Does Costa Rica require left-hand or right-hand drive vehicles?
Costa Rica drives on the right, so left-hand-drive (LHD) vehicles are the standard.
Compare with nearby markets
Duty, VAT and age rules change sharply across a border — the same car can land 20 points cheaper one country over.
- Bolivia — combined import tax 37.5%–48.5% of CIF
- Chile — combined import tax 20%–21% of CIF
- Colombia — combined import tax 64%–70% of CIF
- Ecuador — combined import tax 60%–80% of CIF
- Peru — combined import tax 23.9%–66% of CIF
Related guides
- Used-car age limits by country
- Importing Chinese EVs: incentives and traps
- How import taxes are calculated (CIF, duty, VAT, excise)
- RoRo vs container: which is cheaper for cars
Estimate your exact cost
Tax rates, car age and engine size all change the final number. Use the free AutoLanded calculator to get a line-by-line landed cost for your specific vehicle and destination port.