Exporting Products to COSTA RICA

Location: Costa Rica is a republic in Central America, it borders Nicaragua to the North, Panama to the South, the Atlantic Ocean to the East, and the Pacific Ocean to the West. The capital and largest city is San Jose.

Is there a trade agreement between Costa Rica and the UK?
Yes, as part of the UK-Central America association agreement. The agreement maintains at present the same tariff preferences that are contained in the Central American treaty with the European Union. The other countries included in this trade association are El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

Costa Rican national currency: Colon (CRC).

Official language: Spanish.

Shipping from the UK to Costa Rica

Transit time via air from the UK to airport in Costa Rica is approximately 3 days. Costa Rica's main cargo international airport is Juan Santamaria, located in the city of Alajuela, 20 km west of San Jose's city centre.

Transit time via sea from the UK to a port in Costa Rica is approximately 28 days. Costa Rica's main sea ports are Limon at the Atlantic side and Caldera at the Pacific side.


Export documents required include packing list, commercial invoice, and phytosanitary / health / organic / EUR1 / certificate(s) where applicable. Requirements for the importer in Costa Rica include having a tax indentification number. Requirements for the exporter in Britain include having an EORI number.

Top-10 products exported from the UK to Costa Rica in 2025

Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers ….. $28.27M
Vehicles other than railway, tramway ….. $24.10M
Other made textile articles, sets, worn clothing ….. $15.45M
Plastics ….. $14.15M
Pharmaceutical products ….. $8.44M
Optical, photo, technical, medical apparatus ….. $7.74M
Electrical, electronic equipment ….. $6.20M
Miscellaneous chemical products ….. $5.82M
Paper and paperboard, articles of pulp, paper and board ….. $2.71M
Beverages, spirits and vinegar ….. $2.47M

M: Millions USD. Source: TRADING ECONOMICS

Explore Opportunities to Export to Costa Rica

The market guide “Exporting from the UK to Costa Rica”, published by the UK Government, provides valuable information, including export opportunities and market data. You can access the guide here:
https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/costa-rica

Also, consult the official UK export tool for sending goods from the United Kingdom to Costa Rica.

Contact us for cargo transport from the UK to Latin America and the Caribbean