Costa Rica Relocation Guide.

Relocating to Costa Rica: Logistics & Sourcing Guide

"Your move" to Costa Rica requires balancing high import taxes and tropical humidity against the convenience of having your existing belongings.

1. Shipping vs. Buying Summary

Vehicles: Buy locally. Import duties range from 52% to 79% on the government’s assessed value of the car, making vehicle shipping unviable for most expats. Household Goods: Ship selective high-value items. High-end mattresses, specialized kitchenware, and personal electronics carry heavy markups locally, making them worth sending in an LCL (shared cargo crate) or extra luggage. Furniture: Buy locally. Tropical humidity, salt air, and wood-boring insects degrade imported particleboard (IKEA-style) and leather quickly. Locally made furniture uses native tropical hardwoods (teak, guanacaste, cedar) built to withstand the climate. 2. Recommended International Movers

1.Ship To Costa Rica 506 (Charles Zeller / ship506.com)

Email/Web: shiptocostarica@ship506.com | info@ship506.com | Location: El Coco, Alajuela (directly west of SJO Airport near cargo warehouses) Overview: Premier choice for North American moves. Handles FCL, LCL crates, vehicle clearance, and door-to-door delivery. | Contact: +506 2431-1234 | WhatsApp: +506 8687-1565 | US Toll-Free: +1 (866) 245-6923

2. International Van Lines (IVL) Email/Web: internationalvanlines.com | Location: Major US Ports / Worldwide Network Overview: Highly rated for US-to-Costa Rica moves. Coordinates full logistics, door-to-door packing, customs brokerage, and ocean freight. | Contact: +1 (877) 647-1336 3. Arpin International Group Email/Web: arpininfo@arpinintl.com | arpinintl.com | Location: Global Operations / North American Network Overview: FIDI-certified global movers known for smooth customs clearance and dedicated move coordinators for US/Canada routes. | Contact: +1 (888) 544-7222

3. Local Furniture Recommendations

National Retailers (Lower Cost / Budget Choices): For ready-made modern furniture in the San José area (GAM), look to Siman, Crate & Barrel (Escazú), and Ashley Furniture. Coastal Furniture Outfitters: If moving to Guanacaste or the Pacific coast, regional design outfitters like Design Studio and Deco Studio offer turn-key, climate-appropriate furniture packages. Custom Hardwood Artisans (Sarchí & Nicoya Peninsula): Sarchí (in the Central Valley) is famous for custom craftsmen who build beds, dining tables, and cabinets from native teak, guanacaste, and laurel woods.