Shipping a Car to Costa Rica: Should You Do It?

One of the most common questions we get at Rainbow Refuge is about shipping vehicles. Although Costa Rica does have public transport and plenty of Ubers, having your own vehicle makes life much easier. And because car prices tend to be high here, most expats consider shipping a car to Costa Rica the US. However, the process is expensive and complex. Learn more about the details of bringing your vehicle into this country, and decide whether or not it’s right for you.

How Much Does it Cost Shipping a Car to Costa Rica?

Shipping a Car to Costa Rica: Should You Do It?

One of the most common questions we get at Rainbow Refuge is about shipping vehicles. Although Costa Rica does have public transport and plenty of Ubers, having your own vehicle makes life much easier. And because car prices tend to be high here, most expats consider shipping a car to Costa Rica from the US. However, the process is expensive and complex. Learn more about the details of bringing your vehicle into this country, and decide whether or not it’s right for you.

How Much Does it Cost Shipping a Car to Costa Rica?

Oftentimes, deciding whether or not to ship a car to another country comes down to dollars and cents. Or in this case, colones. The actual shipping costs of the process are relatively low. While the price depends on the location of the vehicle and the company, the cost starts at around $2,000. There are a variety of options for delivery, and you should always receive multiple quotes before you move forward.

Unfortunately, the shipping cost isn’t the only expense. The most expensive part of the process is the import tax. For gas vehicles, the import tax is between 30 and 50% of the vehicle’s cost+insurance+freight (known as the CIF value). In addition to the import duty, there may also be a 13% sales tax (known as the VAT). Along the way, you might also encounter expenses for insurance coverage, broker fees, and fuel surcharges. There could be a Selective Consumption Tax (SCT) based on the engine type and vehicle efficiency.

Electric vehicles are more affordable, as they are sometimes exempt from import duty. However, they must comply with several requirements, and the owner still needs to pay the sales tax on the CIF value.

Driving It Across Countries

Although not very common, driving your car from the US to Costa Rica is also an option. It's not as easy as you might think and involves paying various taxes and navigating the system. There are some Facebook groups you can join for tips and tricks on making the long drive.

Using an Agricultural Exemption

If you own an agricultural property in Costa Rica and have it registered, you may be able to import a pick-up truck without having to pay import fees. However, this is a challenging process. You should consult with a lawyer who has direct experience doing this.

There’s conflicting information available online about importing pick-up trucks with the agricultural exemption. We’re not experts on the process and advise you to speak to one or two professionals before moving forward.

Buying a Car in Costa Rica

If you want a vehicle and the numbers of importing one just doesn’t make sense, you can always buy one in the country. There are two options: you can buy from a private seller or buy from a dealership.

Cars are much more expensive here in Costa Rica than they are in other countries. This is due to the import tax mentioned above. If you want a new car, you may be able to find a Chinese import for between $20,000 and $40,000. Models from other countries tend to be much more expensive. Far more common than buying new is for people to buy used vehicles. But don’t expect to get a newer vehicle for a low price. For reference, I bought a 2002 Honda CRV for $10,000 (including everything).

As you might expect, used vehicles are cheaper from private sellers. However, you have to deal with the paperwork of transferring the title over and paying taxes. That’s not as easy as it seems, particularly if you have a language barrier. The used car dealerships often take care of the title and other paperwork for you.

Using a Mechanic

No matter how you decide to buy a vehicle, you should bring a mechanic with you. Some mechanics will even offer this service for free. They’ll accompany you to the dealership or seller’s house and will ensure there are no major issues with the car. Because there’s so much wear and tear on vehicles here, it’s never a good idea to buy a car without consulting a mechanic.

Most used dealerships offer a 30-day warranty on their cars. If you have an issue with your purchase, you can bring it in for a repair at no cost. I had this issue with AutosUSA2 Grecia, and they honored the warranty.

Paying for the Vehicle

Paying for high-ticket items in Costa Rica can be challenging. Moving money around isn’t easy, and you can only bring a certain amount of cash into the country without declaring it.

For private deals, you need to pay cash. Be wary of scams and don’t be too trusting of the seller. While Ticos are generally very honest and kind people, there are scammers.

If you buy from a dealership, check out reviews and ask for referrals. Most dealerships accept bank wires from US banks. When you go car shopping, verify this with the dealership first. It’s helpful if you speak some Spanish, as the majority of people don’t speak English at the dealerships.

Are You Thinking of Shipping a Car to Costa Rica?

The cost of importing a car usually surpasses the actual value of the vehicle. Therefore, you should run the numbers before making a decision. It’s an extremely complex process and it changes regularly.

Whether you decide to import a car or buy one here, we’re happy to assist. We can connect you with others who have imported their vehicles, and  may be able to recommend a few professionals. Grecia is home to several reputable car dealerships, so stop in to one while you stay at Rainbow Refuge Villas Escondidas.