Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Costa Rica
Costa Rica's total import burden runs 52–79% depending on vehicle age — but EVs enjoy dramatic reductions. We land weekly at Puerto Limón/Moín and Caldera with full tax modeling per VIN.
Costa Rica at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,200+
- Ocean transit
- 4–7 days (Florida)
- Arrival ports
- Puerto Limón / Moín · Caldera
- Import duty + VAT
- 52–79% total by age
- Electric vehicles
- Big cuts under Law 9518
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Costa Rica: What You Need to Know
Costa Rica taxes vehicles on a sliding scale that surprises newcomers: the total burden — duty, selective consumption tax, and 13% IVA combined — runs roughly 52% for cars up to three years old, about 63% at four to five years, and around 79% for six years and up. The structure deliberately favors newer vehicles, so the auction bargain that pencils out elsewhere can fail here. We model the full tax per VIN before you buy.
The huge exception is electric: Law 9518 grants EVs dramatic reductions — down to zero selective consumption tax in the lower value brackets — making Costa Rica one of Latin America's best EV import markets. APM Terminals' Moín facility near Puerto Limón handles Atlantic arrivals from Florida in 4–7 days, with Caldera serving the Pacific. A large American expat community keeps the personal-vehicle and household lane busy year-round.
Key takeaway
Total import taxes run 52–79% of assessed value depending on vehicle age — newer is cheaper. EVs import with dramatic reductions under Law 9518, often the difference between a deal and a loss. Get the full tax model per VIN before bidding.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Costa Rica
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami / Port Everglades, FL | Puerto Limón / Moín | 4–7 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Puerto Limón / Moín | 5–8 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Puerto Limón / Moín | 5–8 days | Weekly |
| New York / New Jersey | Puerto Limón / Moín | 8–12 days | Weekly |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Caldera | 7–10 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Costa Rica from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Costa Rica, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Costa Rica fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Costa Rica
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,200 – $1,800 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,300 – $3,300 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,100 – $4,400 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | $1,300 – $2,100 | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to Costa Rica →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentCosta Rica Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars up to 3 years old | ≈52.3% total | Included | All taxes combined |
| Cars 4–5 years old | ≈63% total | Included | Selective consumption tax rises |
| Cars 6+ years old | ≈79% total | Included | Highest bracket — older cars |
| Electric vehicles | Reduced / 0% | Reduced | Law 9518 incentives |
| Heavy machinery | 0–14% | 13% IVA | Category dependent |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Considering an electric vehicle?
Law 9518 cuts the selective consumption tax on EVs to as low as zero by value bracket, collapsing the usual 52–79% burden. For many buyers an EV is the only import that pencils out — we model exact totals per VIN.
What We Ship to Costa Rica
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Costa Rica's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Costa Rica.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Costa Rica.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Costa Rica
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Costa Rica Routes
Miami / Port Everglades, FL → Puerto Limón / Moín
4–7 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Puerto Limón / Moín
5–8 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Puerto Limón / Moín
5–8 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
New York / New Jersey → Puerto Limón / Moín
8–12 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Costa Rica Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
4–7 days (Florida)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Puerto Limón / Moín · Caldera.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Costa Rica. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Costa Rica combines customs duty, a selective consumption tax, and 13% IVA into one burden that runs roughly 52% for cars up to three years old, about 63% at four to five years, and around 79% for six years and up. The structure deliberately favors newer vehicles, so an older auction bargain that works elsewhere can fail here. We model the full tax per VIN before you buy.
Dramatically. Law 9518 cuts the selective consumption tax on EVs to as low as zero in the lower value brackets, collapsing the usual 52–79% burden and making Costa Rica one of Latin America's best EV import markets. For many buyers an EV is the only import that pencils out. We model exact totals per VIN so you can compare an EV directly against a combustion equivalent.
Yes — counterintuitively, age raises the bill. The total tax jumps from about 52% (up to 3 years) to roughly 63% (4–5 years) and around 79% (6+ years), because the selective consumption tax climbs with age. So a slightly more expensive newer car can land cheaper overall than a cheap older one. Always compare the full landed total, not just the auction price — we run the numbers per VIN.
From Florida it's just 4–7 days to APM Terminals' Moín facility near Puerto Limón on the Atlantic side; Houston and Savannah run 5–8 days. Caldera serves the Pacific coast from California (7–10 days, biweekly). A large American expat community keeps the personal-vehicle and household lane busy year-round, so sailings are frequent and predictable.
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