How I Legally Imported My Car into Costa Rica: A Step-by-Step Guide

When planning a move to a foreign country, one of the most daunting tasks can be navigating the complex process of importing a vehicle. In my case, I had to legalize my car in Costa Rica after crossing the border with a 3-month tourist visa. What ensued was a lengthy and intricate process that required patience, research, and financial investment.

After a month of researching the new law, I finally initiated the process by requesting an initial fee of $200 from my attorney on August 14th for the time spent so far. However, my eagerness to complete the task drove me to educate myself thoroughly on the intricacies of the new law. Interestingly, this endeavor was uncharted territory for me as well.

Through a friend, I was introduced to an attorney who did her residency in Costa Rica and expressed a willingness to tackle this new challenge. My personal lawyer, while skilled in her own right, lacked familiarity with the recent legislation, prompting me to seek assistance elsewhere.

The process of legalizing my car in Costa Rica was not only time-consuming but also complex. I embarked on this task to circumvent taxes for imported vehicles for new residents. Otherwise, it would have been much more cost-effective simply to buy a vehicle directly in Costa Rica.

According to the 'hacienda', the value of a 2012 Honda CRV is 7,800,000 colones and the related import tax fees are 3,705,000 colones or $7,100! This meant that using this law favoring new residents was the only way to avoid these hefty taxes.

After deducting the entirety of my trip expenses, I still managed to make a net gain of $4,000. My vehicle is worth about $22,000 according to Encuentra24, and after spending a total of $18,000, I had spent almost 9 months from the purchase date.

The total cost of registering my car in Costa Rica including all legal fees was $4,130. Adding another $300 for fun activities along the way, highway tolls, food costs, and gasoline expenses brought the total to around $6,530.

In conclusion, importing a vehicle into Costa Rica requires careful planning, research, and financial investment. While it may seem daunting at first, understanding the new law and seeking assistance from experienced professionals can help navigate this complex process.

For those considering relocating to Costa Rica with their vehicles, I hope this step-by-step guide has provided valuable insights into the process of legalizing your car in Costa Rica.

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