Shipping a Car to Costa Rica
Costa Rica stands out as the most frequently visited country in Central America. This popular destination is renowned for its leisure facilities, amusement parks, and scenic tourist spots. You’ll find a plethora of outdoor activities to engage in that will leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated.
It’s an ideal spot for families to explore and create unforgettable memories. For those seeking a cost-effective option to settle down in Central America, relocating to Costa Rica could be an excellent decision
Experts in Shipping a Car to Costa Rica
AutoStar Transport Express is a highly-rated, licensed, and bonded car shipping company for shipping a car to Costa Rica. We have delivered hundreds of vehicles to and from Costa Rica. Our transport coordinators offer helpful expertise relating to car shipping to or from Costa Rica.
To get personalized assistance, talk to one of our Costa Rica auto shipping specialists. With tracking updates via text, email, or phone, you’ll always know where your vehicle is. We’ll make your experience easy and affordable for car shipping.
Why Choose Us to Ship Car to Costa Rica?
To ensure your vehicle reaches its destination safely, AutoStar Transport Express takes extra precautions and measures for you as an experienced shipping broker.
- Top reviewed and Licensed: With more than 7,000 5-star reviews on 6 major review platforms, we are licensed and bonded with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Years of Experience: More than 16 years of experience enable us to provide top-notch service and ensure your vehicle is delivered safely and on time. Several major auto brands trust us for Costa Rica car shipping.
- Real-time Vehicle Tracking: You will receive regular updates on the status of your car throughout the entire process from the moment you depart until the day you receive it.
- No Down Payment: Book your transport with no upfront fees today! You won’t be charged until a carrier is assigned to your transport.
Ready to Ship your Vehicle to Costa Rica?
Get in touch with us now to experience a stress-free car shipping process to Costa Rica.Which Vehicles Do We Ship to or from Costa Rica?
AutoStar Transport Express specializes in shipping all kinds of vehicles including cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, ATVs, ATVs, military vehicles, sports cars, 4×4, classic collectible vehicles, Heavy Machinery, trailers, excavators, tractors, wheel loaders, trailers, and BOATS & YACHTS. 
Required Documents before Shipping a Car to Costa Rica:
Customs duties are NOT applicable to vehicles brought into Costa Rica from non-residents for a period of three months or less. The following documentation is needed, and it’s a good idea to bring both originals and copies, front and back:
- Passport.
- vehicle’s make, model, year, and VIN number
- Driver’s License.
- Registration certificate.
- Title (if the vehicle is owned free and clear): If you purchased a vehicle brand-new, your name as the registered owner must appear on the front of the title.
- If the person bringing the car is NOT the owner, authorization from the owner permitting the vehicle to enter another country must be provided (notarized and certified by a Costa Rican consulate)
- Temporary use permit (TVUP)
- Certified emissions test.
- Bill of lading.
Transportation Methods used To Shipping Car to Costa Rica
To send cars, motorcycles, trucks, and other vehicles internationally, there are 3 main options.
- RORO Service: The quickest and cheapest method of moving a car to Costa Rica is by roll-on or roll-off. Due to its effectiveness, RORO shipping is the preferred option for manufacturers, as well as for exporters and importers of heavy machinery and vehicles (mining, construction, agriculture, etc).
- Container Shipping: The most popular alternative to RORO for shipping a car to Costa Rica is container shipping. Since your cargo is enclosed throughout the entire shipping process, shipping your car overseas via container is still the safest option.
- Shared Container Service: Your car will be loaded into a container with other vehicles, but keep in mind it may take a few weeks for your car to reach its destination.
- Single container load: A single container load is a way to go! Your car will be the only one in a 20-foot container for shipping.
Things to know before shipping a car to Costa Rica
Keep in mind, As a tourist, you are permitted to use the car for three months while on vacation without having to pay taxes. You will have to pay a local tax, along with some other charges, totaling about $90.00 US (normally this is all part of the customs procedure). You have the option to extend your license to operate the car after three months.
- Clean the vehicle: Make sure the interior and exterior are thoroughly clean before shipping so that damage can be easily detected.
- Disable the alarm: Remove any batteries or disable the alarm system to prevent it from going off during transport.
- Remove personal items: Don’t leave any personal items inside the car, only fixed items with the vehicle dashboard are acceptable.
- Check tire pressure: Make sure the tires are properly inflated and that the spare tire is inflated as well.
- Do not overfill the gas tank: The car can’t have more than a quarter tank of gas for safety concerns.
- Document the vehicle’s condition: Before shipping, take pictures of the inside and outside of the vehicle.
Shipping Car to Costa Rica: FAQs
How much does it cost to ship a car to Costa Rica?
Car shipping cost depends on multiple factors such as make, model, size of the vehicle, travel distance, and time of year. You can get an accurate Costa Rica car shipping quote with our online quote calculator.
What happens if your car does get damaged?
If damage is properly documented and reported, you must submit a claim.
Am I allowed to ship a car to Costa Rica with my personal items in it?
Absolutely not, the rules for car shipping to Costa Rica are pretty strict on this and all personal items must be removed.
How can I track my vehicle?
Once we confirm the transport for you, we’ll send you an email with a link where you can track your vehicle or you can always give us a call and we’ll let you know where it is!
What is the cost of shipping a car from Costa Rica to the US?
Compared to other international countries, shipping a car from the United States to Costa Rica is very easy and inexpensive. If you’re exporting from a nearby port in the United States, like Miami, it might just cost $1,500 or less. Costs for exporting a car might go as high as $3,000. When sending to Costa Rica, import taxes must be taken into account because they can be equal to or greater than the cost of delivery.
How can I pay?
The most common payment form is through Zelle and it has daily limits, everything has to be prepaid in order for the vehicle to be released. You can also pay through Credit Card, Direct Deposit, Wire Transfer, or PayPal.
Our Successful Costa Rica Car Transport Reviews
Here is what our car shipping service is said to be like.
