Vehicle import Eligibility

📌 Vehicle Age Limit for Importing to Costa Rica

Costa Rica does NOT have a strict age limit, but the older the car, the higher the taxes.
Taxes are based on the car’s age and CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight).

⚠️ Important:

• Vehicles older than 15 years have very high import taxes — often 80–100% of the car’s value.
• Vehicles newer than 6 years have significantly lower taxes.

Allowed:
✔ Cars
✔ SUVs
✔ Pickup trucks
✔ Motorcycles
✔ Electric vehicles (lower taxes!)
✔ Classic cars (taxed heavily but allowed)

Not allowed:
✘ Salvage title vehicles
✘ Vehicles with structural damage
✘ Vehicles with unpaid liens

🚫 Import Restrictions for Costa Rica

Title Requirements

• Must be clean title (no salvage, junk, rebuilt).
• Title must match invoice/name.
• If financed, a lien release letter is required.

Mechanical Requirements

Costa Rica requests:

• No major oil leaks
• Operational brakes
• Functional lights & safety equipment
• Emissions will be checked locally (RITEVE / DEKRA)

Left-Hand Drive Only!

Costa Rica only accepts LHD vehicles.

Duty Taxes & Fees

Costa Rica calculates taxes based on:

👉  CIF Value
(Cost of Vehicle + Insurance + Freight)

Then applies:

1. Import Duty (30–40%)

Depends on vehicle type + age.

2. Selective Consumption Tax (SCT) (10–30%)

Luxury vehicles and older vehicles pay more.

3. VAT (13%)

Applies to almost ALL imports.

Estimated Tax Ranges by Vehicle Age

Vehicle Age                Total Estimated Taxes (on CIF Value)

0–3 years - 52–67%

4–5 years - 60–75%

6–10 years - 70–85%

11+ years - 80–100%+

Electric vehicles:
✔ Much lower tax brackets (as low as 5–15% depending on model & battery size)

"El menaje de casa"

(Returning residents)

Costa Rica has a “Menaje de Casa” tax exemption for returning citizens or new legal residents.

Who Qualifies?

You may qualify if you are:

• A Costa Rican returning home after 2+ years abroad, or
• A new foreign resident with approved residency status

What the Exemption Covers

Menaje de Casa allows:
✔ One used vehicle (any age)
✔ Household goods
✔ Personal effects

All imported with reduced or zero import duty, depending on the residency category.

Requirements

• Proof of residency status
• Proof of living abroad for 24 months (utility bills, tax returns, lease, etc.)
• Shipment must be made within 6 months of residency approval
• Vehicle must be registered in your name for at least 6 months before shipping

Important notes and recommendations ⚠️



Governed by:

• Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA)
• Ministerio de Hacienda (Customs & Tax Authority)
• LIMPAC & RITEVE (inspection/emissions bodies)

Required Documents

• Original Title
• Bill of Sale or Invoice
• Passport (or Residency ID)
• Driver’s License
• Bill of Lading (we provide)
• Customs declaration (DGA Form)

⚓  Ports Used for Costa Rica

• Port of Limón (main port)
• Port of Caldera (Pacific side)
• Port Heredia (San Jose)

🚢 Shipping Options

1. Roll-On Roll-Off (RoRo)

Budget-friendly, must be running & drivable.

2. Container Shipping (20ft or 40ft)

Best for:

• High-value vehicles
• Multiple cars
• Cars + personal items
• Menaje de casa shipments

⏳ Transit Time from USA → Costa Rica

• East Coast → Limón: 7–10 days
• West Coast → Caldera: 12–18 days
• Florida → Costa Rica: Fastest routes

Additional Costa Rica Tips

• Taxes must be paid before the vehicle is released.
• A local customs agent is required (we can help arrange one).
• Vehicles must pass local inspection before registration.
• Personal items inside vehicles are allowed only in container shipments, not RoRo.