# Costa Rica (CR)

**Capital:** San José  
**Currency:** Costa Rica Colón (CRC) (CRC)  
**Population:** 5'164'837  
**Area:** 51'100 km²

> Costa Rica is Central America's key reefer and agricultural export hub. Bananas, pineapples and medical devices move through the Caribbean ports of Limon-Moin (APM Terminals), while Puerto Caldera handles Pacific traffic. Customs are cleared electronically via the TICA system; the standard VAT rate is 13 percent. Free trade agreements with the USA (CAFTA-DR), the EU, EFTA and China ease market access.

Costa Rica (ISO-Code: CR) is located in Central America between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, with coastlines on the Pacific and Caribbean. Politically, the country is a stable presidential democracy known for its transparent administration and peaceful domestic policies. The climate is tropical, with a pronounced wet and dry season as well as regional climatic variations due to mountains and coasts. Economically, Costa Rica plays an important role in agriculture, services, and high-tech industry. Foreign trade is central, with exports primarily including agricultural products, electronics, and medical technology, while the country heavily depends on imports of industrial goods and energy. Strategically located ports on both coasts and a well-developed network of roads and airports strengthen the country's transit and logistics function for regional supply chains. The national currency is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC), which facilitates stable trade relations and financial transactions. Costa Rica benefits from its geographical location and economic openness, making it an important player in Central American trade and global supply chains. Sustainability and tourism further contribute to economic diversification.

**Top Import Partners:** US, CN, MX, PA, DE

**Top Export Partners:** US, NL, BE, MX, CN

**Top Import Goods:** Mineralöle, Maschinen, Fahrzeuge, Elektronik, Chemie

**Top Export Goods:** Medizinische Geräte, Bananen, Ananas, Kaffee, Microchips

**Key Airports:**
- [Guanacaste Airport (LIR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/guanacaste-airport-lir)
- [Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/juan-santamaria-international-airport-sjo)
- [Aerotortuguero Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aerotortuguero-airport-28643)
- [Barra del Colorado Airport (BCL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/barra-del-colorado-airport-bcl)
- [Buenos Aires Airport (BAI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/buenos-aires-airport-bai)
- [Coto 47 Airport (OTR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/coto-47-airport-otr)
- [Golfito Airport (GLF)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/golfito-airport-glf)
- [Guapiles Airport (GPL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/guapiles-airport-gpl)
- [Limon International Airport (LIO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/limon-international-airport-lio)
- [Los Chiles Airport (LSL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/los-chiles-airport-lsl)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** IVA-Regelsatz 13 Prozent (Ley 9635) auf die Wareneinfuhr  
**Customs complexity:** mittel  
**Customs system:** Elektronische Zollabwicklung über das System TICA mit DUA; Zollwert auf CIF-Basis; Abgaben via SINPE. Einfuhr meist über zugelassenen Zollagenten.  
**Customs authority:** [Direccion General de Aduanas (DGA), Ministerio de Hacienda](https://www.hacienda.go.cr)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Reefer-Exporthub Zentralamerikas; Transitland zwischen Pazifik und Karibik  
**Economic area:** SIECA (Zentralamerikanische Integration / SICA)  
**Logistics risk:** mittel  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** mittel  
**Pharma/cold chain:** hoch

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.hacienda.go.cr](https://www.hacienda.go.cr)
- [https://www.comex.go.cr](https://www.comex.go.cr)
- [https://portaltica.hacienda.go.cr/TicaExterno/hcimppon.aspx](https://portaltica.hacienda.go.cr/TicaExterno/hcimppon.aspx)
- [https://www.hacienda.go.cr/docs/ImpuestoalValorAgregado29012021.pdf](https://www.hacienda.go.cr/docs/ImpuestoalValorAgregado29012021.pdf)
- [https://portaldecomercio.comex.go.cr/enlaces/derechos-y-cargas/derechos-y-cargas-aduaneros/](https://portaldecomercio.comex.go.cr/enlaces/derechos-y-cargas/derechos-y-cargas-aduaneros/)
- [https://www.efta.int/trade-relations/free-trade-network/central-american-states-costa-rica-guatemala-honduras-and-panama](https://www.efta.int/trade-relations/free-trade-network/central-american-states-costa-rica-guatemala-honduras-and-panama)
- [https://www.cbp.gov/trade/free-trade-agreements/cafta-dr/costa-rica](https://www.cbp.gov/trade/free-trade-agreements/cafta-dr/costa-rica)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/costa-rica-prohibited-and-restricted-imports](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/costa-rica-prohibited-and-restricted-imports)

*Last verified: 2026-06-22*

---

*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/cr](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/cr)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/cr](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/cr)*