In order to enter Costa Rica, certain goods are subject to specific controls and, regardless of their value and quantity, they require the consent of Costa Rica government, preferably, license must be obtained prior to passage through the customs, preventing the goods from being retained. On this page, you will see what kinds of items are prohibited from entering the Costa Rica, and which items need special documentation before exporting to Costa Rica.
Import restrictions
Senders should determine import restrictions from Costa Rica authorities before posting weapons and parts of weapons.
- Alcoholic beverages
- Animal products
- Blank forms
- Booklets, brochures
- Chemicals, non-hazardous
- Coffee
- Cologne and perfume
- Compact disc
- Cosmetics
- Drugs, perscription and non-perscription
- Food stuffs
- Medical/dental supplies and equipment
- Personal effects
- Plants and plant products
- Telecommunications equipment
EDN’s and export permits are required for:
- Kangaroo skins
- Crocodile skins
- Emu oil
- Fish oil
- Bunker oil
- Coal
- Petroleum bases products
- Tobacco and tobacco products
- Any other alcohol including beer and spirits all volumes.
Special documentation
All commercial goods require an invoice in duplicate.
Used clothing requires a Certificate of Disinfection.
The sender and receiver details must be addressed with a valid street address in English. A Post Office Box address is not acceptable.
The sender is responsible for finding if the destination country may impose duties, taxes, brokerage fees or any other fees that may be applied on the item that is being sent. Please contact the consulate office of the country you are sending to or contact the ECI customer contact centre on 1800 007 678.
Prohibitions
In addition to items prohibited by Dangerous and Prohibited Goods & Packaging Post Guide and ECI International Courier Regulations, Costa Rica prohibits:
- Animals and animal skins
- Asbestos
- Bullion and Currency
- Dangerous goods and artivles
- Gambling devices
- Ivory
- Lottery tickets and advertising
- Obscene or immoral goods
- Jewellery, precious stones and metals
- Pornography
- Plants
- Seeds
- Weapons.