Customs Duties or Import dutyA tax charged on certain goods which are brought into a coun... and taxes will be pending and need to be cleared while importing goods into Costa-Rica whether by a private individual or a commercial entity.
The valuation method is CIF.
In Costa Rica, all importation of goods and merchandise, with certain exemptions, are liable for corresponding import tariffs and customs duties. Other taxes (e.g. sales taxKnown as VAT (Value Added Tax) in the UK. A tax based on the..., selective consumption taxTax paid which is based on the price of services or goods, e...) are also levied on the importation of said goods and merchandise.
The most important legal instruments for customs regulations are the Central American Uniformed Customs Code, the Customs Law and its rulings, and other administrative rulings that are periodically issued by the Customs Authority.
Below table provide the Duty and Sales taxKnown as VAT (Value Added Tax) in the UK. A tax based on the... for Costa-Rica:
| Duty Rates | Sales Tax(GST) | Threshold on goods |
|---|---|---|
| 1% to 15% | 13% or 10% (CIF + duty + other taxes) | No Minimum threshold |
Since Costa Rica’s entry into GATT, tariffs have been lowered. As of 2002, customs duties range from 1% to 15%. However, food tariffs were between 14% and 19%. Import duties on raw materials, bulk grains, and oilseeds were reduced to 1% in 1996. CapitalThe net worth of a business, including assets, cash, propert... goods and most finished products have a tariffA government tax on imported and exported goods. of 1% and 10% to 15% respectively. There is a 13% value-added taxA fee imposed by a government on personal or corporate incom... (VAT). Excise taxes range between 5% and 75%, applying to about half of all products imported. For example, arms and munitions are taxed at 75%; costume jewelry, fireworks, and whiskey at 50%; wine and beer at 40%.
Costa Rica has a bilateral free trade agreement with Mexico and was planning future agreements in 1999 with Dominican Republic, Panama, Chile, and Trinidad and Tobago. Costa Rica is also a member of the Central American Common Market (CACM) with El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The CACM has a common external tariff of 5% to 20% for most products. For more info: Read More here
- Consumption TaxTax paid which is based on the price of services or goods, e... = 0% to 95% (CIF + duty).
- GE (VAT on estimated earnings) = 0% to 125% (CIF + Consumption TaxTax paid which is based on the price of services or goods, e... + Law 6946 + Agrar TaxA fee imposed by a government on personal or corporate incom...)
- Golfito TaxA fee imposed by a government on personal or corporate incom... (Tourism Development taxA fee imposed by a government on personal or corporate incom...) = 1% to 30% (CIF + duty).
- Law 6946 (National Emergency Law) = 0% and 1% (CIF + duty).
Related links for Costa Rica imports and duties: Costa Rica Import Duties and Tariffs