Costa RicaCosta Rica

Travellers arriving in Costa Rica may bring 5 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. Travelers aged 18+ may bring 5 L alcohol, 500 cigarettes / 100 cigars / 500 g loose duty-free (one of the most generous LATAM allowances). Personal goods up to USD 500.

500 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 10000 (USD) must be declared on arrival.

500 USD (~USD 500). Personal-import parcels under USD 500 duty-free; above attracts customs + 13% IVA. CAFTA-DR preferential treatment for US-origin goods.

IVA 13% (replaced earlier Sales Tax in 2019). Applied to imports plus customs duty per Central American Common External Tariff. Selective Consumption Tax on luxuries.

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with Dirección General de Aduanas for your specific medicine.

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to Costa Rica's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 — undervaluation is treated as fraud.

A customs declaration filed with Dirección General de Aduanas, a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

Narcotics; Counterfeit goods; CITES-listed species. See the full prohibited list on this page.

Firearms (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública permit); Pharmaceuticals (Ministerio de Salud); Pets (SENASA cert). Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into Costa Rica accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with Dirección General de Aduanas's agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; Costa Rica may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current Dirección General de Aduanas guidance before travel — bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact Costa Rica's health authority before travel.

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter Costa Rica.

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact — they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact Dirección General de Aduanas via the contact route on their official site.

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.