🇨🇷 Moving from the US to Costa Rica: Logistics, Customs & Relocation Guide.
Law 9986 — the Attraction of Investors, Rentiers and Pensioners act — is the single most valuable filing for an American moving to Costa Rica, covering household goods and up to two vehicles.
Average shipping cost
from $4,500
Door-to-door, 20ft FCL entry point
Transit timeline
3–5 weeks
Ocean freight 10–14 days to Caldera or Puerto Limón
Major ports of entry
Caldera (Pacific)
Caldera (Pacific) · Puerto Limón (Caribbean)
Costa Rica customs & Transfer of Residence: step by step
Required registration: Law 9986 import exemption certificate
- 1
Apply for Law 9986 benefits before shipping
Approved investors, rentiers and pensioners receive full exemption from import duty and 13% VAT on household items.
- 2
Use a licensed customs broker
Costa Rica requires clearance through a licensed agente aduanal; your moving company appoints one as part of the destination service.
- 3
Choose Caldera or Limón deliberately
Caldera serves the Central Valley and Pacific coast; Puerto Limón is faster for Caribbean addresses. The wrong port adds days and inland cost.
- 4
Keep the exemption intact for the holding period
Exempted goods and vehicles cannot be sold on before the statutory holding period without repaying the relieved taxes.
Import VAT avoided with relief
13%
Filed with Dirección General de Aduanas via Household goods declaration with Law 9986 exemption approval.
Primary visa pathways
- • Pensionado (pension income)
- • Rentista (stable income)
- • Investor Residency
- • Digital Nomad Visa
Political stability, healthcare and Law 9986 tax incentives for rentiers and pensioners.
Importing a vehicle into Costa Rica
Law 9986 allows duty-free import of up to two personal vehicles for qualifying residents. Outside the law, vehicle taxes run 50%–80% of assessed value.
Calculate landed vehicle taxesPopular expat destinations in Costa Rica
| City | Profile | Cost index |
|---|---|---|
| San José | Capital and Central Valley base, short haul from Caldera | $$ |
| Escazú | Established expat suburb, international schools | $$$ |
| Tamarindo | Guanacaste coast, longer inland leg and humidity packing | $$ |
| Atenas | Retirement belt with mild climate, rural access roads | $$ |