Importing products into Costa Rica requires registering as an importer with PROCOMER, hiring a customs agent, filing the goods declaration with the Costa Rican Customs Authority, and, depending on the product, obtaining permits from ministries such as Health or Agriculture. Import duties (DAI) range from 1% to 15% depending on the product’s classification, plus a 13% sales tax.
Before making your first international purchase, it helps to understand the full process — from choosing the right supplier to clearing the goods through customs without delays.
Step 1: Define the product and evaluate its viability
Before buying, evaluate local demand, competition, and whether the final price — including transport and taxes — leaves enough margin. Factors such as size, fragility, or whether the product is subject to special regulations (food, cosmetics, medical devices) completely change the process and the costs.
Step 2: Find and validate suppliers
Locate suppliers through B2B platforms, agents, or trade fairs. Ask for complete information: minimum volumes, production times, payment terms, and shipping conditions. Before confirming the purchase, request samples and check finishes; during production, follow up consistently and, if volume justifies it, consider pre-shipment inspections.
Step 3: Register as an importer with PROCOMER
To operate formally, you must register as an importer with Costa Rica’s Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER). This registration is the starting point for entering the market.
Step 4: Hire a customs agent
The customs agent acts on your behalf before the Costa Rican Customs Authority and handles the legal requirements to release your goods. You must provide them with your company’s and shipment’s details so they can file the Goods Declaration (DM). Declaración de Mercancías (DM).
Step 5: Check whether your product needs additional permits
Not every product clears customs with the declaration alone. Depending on the type of merchandise, Costa Rica requires specific registrations or permits:
- Food products: mandatory registration on first import.
- Plant and animal products: sanitary and phytosanitary certificates from the exporting country, with the importer responsible for obtaining the corresponding permits from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
- Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and medical devices: an import permit (valid for up to five years) and registration with the Ministry of Health.
- Dietary supplements and natural products: prior registration with the Ministry of Health, with ingredient limits set by regulatory tables. registro previo ante Salud, con límites de ingredientes según tablas normativas.
- Surgical and medical instruments: sales limited to authorized importers and health professionals. su venta está limitada a importadores autorizados y profesionales de salud.
If you don't identify in time whether your product needs one of these permits, the shipment can be held at customs until it's resolved.
Step 6: Obtain a Certificate of Origin if applicable
If your merchandise qualifies under a trade agreement — such as CAFTA-DR — a Certificate of Origin allows you to access tariff exemptions through the Central American Customs Form (FAUCA). The relevant Origin Unit must verify and certify the product's origin.
Step 7: Calculate taxes and duties
Costa Rica applies three main charges to imports:
- DAI (import duty): between 1% and 15%, depending on the product's classification. For example, a book pays 1% and a PC processor can pay 13%.
- Sales tax: 13% general rate, with exceptions for certain basic goods.
- 1% surcharge on the CIF value (cost, insurance, freight), which does not apply to merchandise originating from CAFTA-DR countries.
Add transport and handling costs as well to get the real cost of the import, not just the purchase price.
Step 8: Choose the right mode of transport
Ocean freight works best for large volumes due to its lower cost; air freight is faster but more expensive, and makes sense for urgent or high-value shipments; courier service works well for small packages. The choice directly affects total cost and transit time.
Step 9: Prepare the documentation for customs clearance
At Costa Rican customs, documentation is reviewed, the product is classified under its tariff heading, and the corresponding taxes are calculated. Document preparation is key: errors or inconsistencies in the paperwork are the most common cause of delays in releasing merchandise.
Common mistakes when importing
- Not validating the product before buying.
- Choosing suppliers based on price alone, without checking their export experience.
- Not following up on production or shipping.
- Miscalculating total cost, leaving out taxes or handling fees.
- Ignoring legal requirements or product-specific permits.
Why working with a logistics operator simplifies the process
Coordinating the supplier, transport, customs agent, and permits separately multiplies the margin for error. An experienced logistics operator in Costa Rica centralizes that coordination, anticipates which permits apply to your product, and helps prevent the shipment from being held at customs due to incomplete documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to import products into Costa Rica?
Register as an importer with PROCOMER, hire a customs agent, file the goods declaration, and, depending on the product, obtain permits from ministries such as Health or Agriculture.
How much tax do you pay when importing into Costa Rica?
DAI ranges from 1% to 15% depending on the product, plus a 13% sales tax and a 1% surcharge on the CIF value, except for merchandise from CAFTA-DR countries.
Do I need a customs agent to import?
Yes. The customs agent handles the goods declaration and legal procedures before the Costa Rican Customs Authority on your behalf.
Which products require special permits to enter Costa Rica?
Food, plant and animal products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices, and dietary supplements, among others, depending on each ministry's regulations.
What is a Certificate of Origin and when do I need it?
It's the document certifying your merchandise's origin to access tariff exemptions under agreements like CAFTA-DR, through the Central American Customs Form (FAUCA).
What happens if the documentation has errors?
The merchandise can be held at customs until the errors are corrected, generating extra storage costs and delivery delays.