Costa Rica Shipping & Relocation – When considering shipping your things to Costa Rica, there is no clear cut answer. There are various opinions about how to ship and even whether to do it at all. While it’s not always worthwhile, in many cases it is. It depends on various factors. The following factors should help you weigh whether to ship to or buy in Costa Rica.
Ask yourself a few questions, starting with what it is you want to bring. With this comes the idea of replacement value. Another term that comes up here is “US standards.” Are you looking at bringing electronics, nice sheets, furniture and appliances that are a nice quality?
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In Costa Rica, you’d pay double or triple the price for these items so the cost of shipping pales in comparison. If you are coming from a household full of items you own, send them to Costa Rica. Save yourself the time, money and hassle of 
replacing all that. Dealing with sticker shock is no way to start your new adventure.
The next question is “Can I live without it?” Starting a new life in a new country doesn’t erase your past. You may crave keepsakes, photos, and a special item or two for comfort. In this case, pay for an extra suitcase to take along on your flight but skip the pallets and containers. If they are larger items like sentimental furniture passed down through generations, you will want to look into shipping to Costa Rica. Don’t give away anything you might later regret. There are companies that can help you hold onto these items and transport them securely to your new home where they will be enjoyed for years to come.
Lastly, consider the amount of items you plan to ship or bring and your budget. It’s much more economical to bring things in suitcases than ship them and pay import taxes at Customs but it’s unlikely you can pack your life into a few suitcases. If what you want to bring is more than you can personally transport but not enough to warrant a shipping container, consider a pallet. This is best to ship a bunch of boxes and a piece of furniture or two. Once it’s more than a few furniture items it becomes easier (because you don’t have to crate it) and more economical to get a container. A container can cost $2,000 to $9,000 depending on how much you are shiping. This is before import taxes.
