Importing Personal Effects
Moving to Costa Rica with your household belongings? New residents can import personal effects duty-free under the menaje de casa exemption — but the process has strict requirements and a narrow time window. Here is what you need to know before your container leaves the dock.
Can I bring my household goods to Costa Rica duty-free?
Yes — once. Legal residents in certain visa categories qualify for a one-time menaje de casa (household goods) exemption that allows duty-free import of used personal effects and household items. The shipment must arrive within 6 months of receiving residency, and only used items qualify. New or commercial items do not qualify and will be assessed full import duties.
6-Month Window
The menaje de casa exemption must be used within 6 months of the date your residency is officially granted. Shipments arriving after that deadline lose the exemption and face standard import duties. Plan your shipping timeline carefully — international freight can take 4–8 weeks from North America.
What Is Menaje de Casa?
Menaje de casa is the Spanish term for household goods. Costa Rican customs law grants new residents a one-time exemption to import their personal effects — the belongings from their previous home — without paying import duties or taxes. The exemption is designed to help genuine residents relocate, not to enable duty-free importing of new goods.
The exemption applies to items that are clearly personal in nature, used, and in quantities consistent with normal household use. Customs officials have discretion to question items that appear commercial in quantity or too new to be "personal effects."
Who Qualifies?
Qualifying Residency Categories
- Pensionado (retiree) residency
- Rentista (passive income) residency
- Inversionista (investor) residency
- Empleado (work permit) residency
- Vinculo (family tie) residency
- Refugiado (refugee) status
Who Does Not Qualify
- Tourists and visitors
- Those with pending (not yet approved) residency
- Temporary visa holders
- Digital nomad visa holders (check current rules)
- Residents who already used their exemption
What Qualifies as Personal Effects?
What Is Included
- Clothing and personal items (used)
- Furniture and household furnishings (used)
- Kitchen appliances and cookware (used)
- Books, art, and personal collections
- Electronics for personal use (used)
- Tools and hobby equipment (personal quantities)
- Musical instruments (personal use)
- Sports equipment (personal quantities)
What Is Excluded
- Vehicles (separate import rules apply)
- New items purchased for the move
- Commercial inventory or business equipment
- Alcohol (strictly limited, if allowed at all)
- Food items (perishables prohibited)
- Items in commercial quantities
- Weapons and firearms (require special permits)
Required Documents
Your customs broker will need the following documents to process the menaje de casa exemption. Prepare these before your shipment departs — having documents ready in advance prevents delays at the port.
- DIMEX (residency card) — Must be the approved, issued card — not a pending application
- Passport (copy) — Must match the residency documents
- Detailed inventory list in Spanish — Itemized list of every item, with estimated value; your broker can help prepare this
- Proof of purchase for high-value items — Original receipts or photos showing items are used
- Bill of lading or airway bill — Shipping document from your carrier
- Packing list from the moving company — Matches contents to declared inventory
- Original DGME residency resolution — The official approval letter from immigration
The Import Process
- 1.
Get your residency approved
The clock starts ticking from the official DGME approval date. Do not ship until residency is approved unless you are prepared to pay duties if approval is delayed.
- 2.
Hire a licensed customs broker (agente aduanal)
You cannot process the menaje de casa exemption yourself. A licensed agente aduanal must handle the customs declaration. Expect to pay $200–$600 for this service.
- 3.
Choose your shipping method
For full households, a 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container is standard. For partial moves, Less-than-Container Load (LCL) shipping consolidates your goods with others and costs less but takes longer.
- 4.
Prepare your inventory
Work with your broker to create a detailed Spanish-language inventory. Be thorough — customs may inspect the shipment against the declared list.
- 5.
Ship your goods
Shipping from the US East Coast to Puerto Limón takes approximately 2–3 weeks. From the US West Coast via the Panama Canal: 3–5 weeks. From Europe: 3–6 weeks.
- 6.
Customs clearance in Costa Rica
Your broker files the customs declaration, presents the exemption request, and handles any inspections. Physical inspection of containers is common.
- 7.
Pay any applicable fees
Even with the duty exemption, there are customs processing fees, port handling charges, and your broker's fee. Budget $500–$1,500 for these costs.
- 8.
Receive your goods
After customs clearance, your container is released. Arrange local delivery from the port (Limón or Caldera) to your home.
Shipping Options
Full Container Load (FCL)
You rent an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container. Best for full household moves. Container goes door-to-port, then port-to-door after customs.
Cost: $2,500–$6,000+ from the US, depending on origin and container size.
Transit: 2–5 weeks from the US.
Less-than-Container Load (LCL)
Your goods share space in a container with other shipments. Best for partial moves or smaller amounts of belongings.
Cost: Charged by cubic meter; typically $1,000–$3,000 for a partial move.
Transit: Can be slower; add 1–3 weeks for consolidation/deconsolidation.
Storage Options
If your goods arrive before your residency is approved, or before you have a permanent address, you have options:
- Customs bonded warehouse (depósito fiscal): goods can be held at the port or bonded warehouse while awaiting residency approval. Storage fees apply.
- Your moving company or freight forwarder may offer pre-delivery storage in CR.
- Consider delaying your shipment until after residency is confirmed to avoid the bonded warehouse scenario.
- Short-term self-storage facilities (bodegas) are available in the Central Valley for items in transit.
Estimated Costs: Importing a Partial Household (LCL, from US East Coast)
Currency: USDHire a Reputable International Mover
Look for movers who are members of FIDI (International Federation of International Furniture Removers) or IAM (International Association of Movers). These organizations maintain standards for international residential moves. Ask specifically for movers experienced in Costa Rica customs — the menaje de casa process has specific requirements that not all international movers know well.