Countries · CR
Costa Rica: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 8 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Costa Rica.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for Costa Rica in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Costa Rica may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
8 entries on the official lists name Costa Rica — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 8 | 8 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Costa Rica recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Costa Rica: logistics and trade
Reefer export hub of Central America; transit land between the Pacific and the Caribbean
Costa Rica (ISO-Code: CR) is located in Central America between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, with coastlines on the Pacific and Caribbean. Politically, the country is a stable presidential democracy known for its transparent administration and peaceful domestic policies. The climate is tropical, with a pronounced wet and dry season as well as regional climatic variations due to mountains and coasts. Economically, Costa Rica plays an important role in agriculture, services, and high-tech industry. Foreign trade is central, with exports primarily including agricultural products, electronics, and medical technology, while the country heavily depends on imports of industrial goods and energy. Strategically located ports on both coasts and a well-developed network of roads and airports strengthen the country's transit and logistics function for regional supply chains. The national currency is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC), which facilitates stable trade relations and financial transactions. Costa Rica benefits from its geographical location and economic openness, making it an important player in Central American trade and global supply chains. Sustainability and tourism further contribute to economic diversification.
- Capital
- San José
- Population
- 5,164,837
- Area
- 51,100 km²
- Currency
- Costa Rica Colón (CRC)
- Continent
- Central America
- Region
- Latin America / Central America
- Economic area
- SIECA (Central American Integration / SICA)
- Religions
- Catholic, Protestant, Atheists
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Road
- Current situation
- APM Terminals Moin (opened 2019) is the central reefer and container hub; exports of bananas and pineapples dominate the Caribbean coast.
- Seasonal conditions
- Rainy season from May to November with risk of flooding and landslides; tropical storms on the Caribbean coast; seismic and volcanic risks.
Main seaports
- Puerto Limon
Limón/Moín (CR LIO): Costa Rica's Atlantic container gateway, APM Terminals' TCM with 1.2m TEU capacity, reefer for bananas and pineapples.
- Puerto Caldera
Puerto Caldera (CRPTC), Costa Rica's main Pacific port: containers, grain, vehicles, bulk. Sunset consortium (APM Terminals, HGT) takes over in September 2027.
- Puerto Moin
Puerto Moín (CR PMN): Costa Rica's main container gateway. APM Terminals Moín, 1.32M TEU in 2024, 3,800 reefer plugs, Route 32 link to San José.
Main cargo airports
- Juan Santamaría International AirportSJO
Juan Santamaría (SJO) is Costa Rica's main air-cargo gateway near San José: medical devices, pineapples, flowers and seafood via Swissport, Amerijet and FedEx.
- Guanacaste AirportLIR
Daniel Oduber Quirós (LIR) in Liberia is Guanacaste's tourism airport for Pacific beaches; air cargo runs mainly through San José (SJO).
Road corridors
- Pan-American Highway (CA-1 / Panamericana)
- Route 32 (San Jose-Limon)
- Route 27 (San Jose-Caldera)
Main trade lanes
- Costa Rica-USA
- Costa Rica-EU (Netherlands, Belgium)
- Costa Rica-China
- Intra-Central America
Customs and import
Customs authority Directorate General of Customs (DGA), Ministry of FinanceOfficial website ↗
- Import customs system
- Electronic customs clearance via the TICA system with DUA; customs value on CIF basis; duties paid via SINPE. Imports are usually handled through an authorized customs agent.
- Export customs system
- Export via TICA and the Ventanilla Unica de Comercio Exterior (VUCE) of PROCOMER with electronic export DUA.
- Import VAT
- Standard IVA rate of 13 percent (Ley 9635) on imported goods; reduced rates of 4, 2 and 1 percent for certain goods.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- CAFTA-DR certificate of origin; for EFTA and EU, EUR.1 movement certificate or origin declaration; China FTA with its own certificate of origin.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Restricted or prohibited, among others: weapons, ammunition and explosives (subject to permit), used tyres without rims, used shoes and coffee husks (health and environmental protection).
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Bill of lading or air waybill (B/L or AWB)
- Packing list
- Import DUA
- Proof of origin (for preference)
- Permits/certificates (if required)
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Export DUA
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- Proof of origin
- Phytosanitary certificate (agricultural goods)
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium
- Customs delays
- Medium
- Port congestion
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- High
- E-commerce relevance
- Medium
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Mineral oils
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Chemicals
Top export goods
- Medical devices
- Bananas
- Pineapples
- Coffee
- Microchips
Typical cargo
- Reefer cargo (bananas, pineapples)
- Medical technology
- Coffee
- Microchips and electronics
- Mineral oils and machinery (imports)
Latest logistics news
- Switzerland and 18 Partners Aim to Better Secure Supply Chains19 Jul 2026
Switzerland and 18 partner states aim to better coordinate trade and make supply chains for essential goods more resilient. New members include Peru, South Korea, and Thailand.
- New Port Fees in the USA Could Shift Trade Flows14 Jul 2026
Planned US port fees for ships built in China could alter trade flows. According to a DIW analysis, some exporting countries could benefit while others lose market share.
Logistics questions
Which customs system does Costa Rica use for imports?
Imports are processed electronically through the TICA system of the Direccion General de Aduanas. A DUA is filed, the customs value is determined on a CIF basis and duties are paid via SINPE, usually through a licensed customs broker.
What is the import VAT (IVA) rate in Costa Rica?
The standard IVA rate is 13 percent (Law 9635) and also applies to imported goods. Reduced rates of 4, 2 or 1 percent apply to certain goods.
Which free trade agreements does Costa Rica have?
Costa Rica has agreements with the USA and the region (CAFTA-DR), the EU (Association Agreement), EFTA (in force since 2014, including Switzerland) and China, among others. Preferences require a valid proof of origin.
What are Costa Rica's main ports?
On the Caribbean coast lies the Limon-Moin complex with the Moin Container Terminal operated by APM Terminals (reefer focus); on the Pacific coast is Puerto Caldera. Banana and pineapple exports move through Moin.
Which airport is relevant for air cargo?
The main cargo airport is Juan Santamaria (SJO) near San Jose; Daniel Oduber Quiros (LIR) in Liberia/Guanacaste also plays a role. Air cargo is important especially for medical devices and perishable goods.
Which goods are restricted or prohibited on import?
Restricted or prohibited items include weapons, ammunition and explosives, used tires without rims, used shoes and coffee husks. The reasons are health, safety and environmental protection.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 22 Jun 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.