How to Transport a Car to Costa Rica
You're taking an extended trip to Costa Rica and you want to take your beloved car along with you. Take note that there are international rules and regulations attached to getting your car to Costa Rica, and they can be somewhat expensive and confusing. Follow these steps and the process should be made a little easier.
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Instructions
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Search the Internet to get free shipping quotes from an international freight or car transport broker, such as auto-shipping.net or internationalcarshipping.net. A broker will save you a lot of time, as shipping companies are sometimes hard to find. Get several quotes and compare prices. Ask for the total before booking. Additional costs may be charged otherwise.
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Check a shipping company's license, insurance record and complaint history by calling the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at (888) 368-7238.
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Decide if you want to transport your car to Costa Rica by land, air or sea. Most cars are transported to Costa Rica by ship to one of three main ports: San Jose, Puerto Limon or Puerto Caldera. Choose whether to transport your car in a container, or rolled on and off the ship (typically on a car deck). Make sure you know the port where your car will be delivered.
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Work with your broker to decide how you want to clear your car through customs in Costa Rica, either by yourself or with the assistance of a customs broker. Be prepared to speak fluent Spanish--or have someone with you who does--because it's necessary if you want to clear customs yourself. The customs process should take only one day.
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Prepare your car for shipping. Leave only about 1/8-tank of gas, and remove the license plates. Keep an extra set of keys, and get rid of any items in your car. Clean your car inside and out so that it can be inspected when it's picked up. Disable any alarms, and take antennas off that aren't retractable. Charge the battery, inflate the tires and check fluids. Tell the shipping company if your car is leaking, if it's not driveable or if it's really large.
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Present your original vehicle title and registration documents to the shipping company. Pay import tax, import duty, sales tax, consumption tax and other related taxes, based on the year, make, model and value of your shipped car. Make a deposit or pay in full before the car is shipped depending on the requirements of the shipping company you choose.
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Receive delivery of your car in Costa Rica and clear it through customs. Pay a tax (normally around $90) to drive it for three months, and get your permit papers. Keep these papers in your car at all times. Refrain from letting a Costa Rican native drive your car, as it's against the law.
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Tips & Warnings
Some shipping companies will ask for a deposit while others may want payment in full before shipping your car. The largest and most popular port to transport your car to is Puerto Limon. Your car may take between four and 10 days to arrive in Costa Rica, depending on your starting location. Shipping your car in a container will provide extra security. Buy marine insurance if you want full protection from any mishaps that may happen to your car during transport.
No shipping company will let you pay in full after the car is delivered. Your car must be completely empty if you book a roll on and roll off service. There is a possibility that your car may be damaged or stolen if you transport it on a car deck. Customs clearance at the ports of Puerto Limon or Puerto Caldera is a long and tedious process.
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- Photo Credit flickr.com/photos/alex-s/107798091/
