Customs is making it easier to enter Costa Rica by deleting the need for most travelers to fill out paperwork. Those who are entering with only normal luggage can do so without filling out a declaration.
Those who bring large sums of money, products of animal or vegetable origin, and/or items to sell, and those who wish to use an exemption must still fill out the form. This should be very few people thus making the lines move faster as most don’t have to fill out or show forms to authorities.
This change was approved on June 28th. The obligation was modified through circular DGA-CIR-015-2019 issued by the Customs General Directorate. This change applies at ports, airports, and land border posts.
Aside from expediting the process and wait times of those Costa Ricans and tourists entering without anything to declare, it also allows the authorities to focus inspections on those who must declare.