| As previously stated, the old pensionado program
allowed retirees to import household items including an automobile
virtually duty-free. Since most of these privileges were rescinded
more than a decade ago, you may well have second thoughts
about importing anything.
Keep in mind that most imported used items are also taxed.
Taxes range from 40 to 90 percent or more of the value of
the article plus your shipping costs. Taxes can be raised
at the whim of the Costa Rican government. You can, however,
save money by purchasing many imported items at the duty-free
zone or depósito libre in the southern city
of Golfito.
The duty-free zone was designed in 1990 for Costa Ricans
and residents. Most popular goods sold there are domestic
electrical appliances ranging from refrigerators, freezers
and stoves to sound systems and television sets. Many brand
names are available in a variety of models. Although you may
find many of them cheaper in the United States, they are good
buys compared to San José's prices up to 50 percent
on some large appliances. When you add shipping costs from
the United States, taxes and possible headaches, it is more
practical to buy your appliances at the free port or look
for sales at Importadora Monge, Casa Blanca or El Gallo appliance
stores.
Some restrictions and paper-work may irk you, but this will
be easier for you than importing things from the United States.
You can purchase only $500 worth of items every six months.
The first period of the year ends on June 30 and the second
begins on July 1. You are limited to $500.00 during the first
six months. You cannot carry it over to the second period
of the year and buy $1,000 worth of merchandise. You can,
however, combine your card with a family member and buy $1,000
per period. You must furnish proof that the person you do
this with is really a family member.
You may pick up your Purchase Authorization Card or TAC (Tarjeta
de Autorización de Compra), as it more commonly
called, at the booth in the duty-free zone in Golfito. You
must be over 18 years old and have a Costa Rican ID or passport
to do so.
To find out information about shopping, contact ACODELCO
in San José at Tel: 232-1198, Fax: 232-2692 and in
Golfito at 775-0717, Fax: 775-1940. Golfito is open everyday
except Monday. Stores open promptly at 8 a.m.
Here is what one resident says about his experience in Golfito:
There are two routes to Golfito: one is through San Isidro
de El General through Dominical and Palmar Norte. The other
way is along the costal highway through Jacó. I recommend
the first route because the second has a stretch of dirt and
stone road (40 kilometers) between Dominical and Quepos that
is in bad shape.
Travel time is about three hours from San José to
San Isidro and three and a half hours from San Isidro to Golfito.
If you go through Quepos, add another hour because of the
bad road.
The duty-free shopping is at the far end of the main street
going through Golfito. The main street circles around the
duty-free-area, one way. You can't miss it.
You need to arrive in Golfito one day before you shop because
you need to buy a purchase form. You must take your passport
if you are a foreigner or your cédula if you
are Costa Rican. Each person has the right to buy $500 each
semester (January through June and July through December).
The trip will take approximately seven hours from San José.
There are many hotels available in Golfito but I recommend
one that is very close to the duty-free shops. It is good
quality and costs only $50 per room with everything included.
Each person can buy a maximum of $500 for one or more products.
If you go with a relative (wife, husband, sibling, etc.) you
can pay for two cards and buy up to $1,000 worth of articles.
There is a wide variety of products, but appliances are really
worth buying. They cost about half of what they do in San
José. You can also buy articles by using another person's
name. There is always someone hanging around the facility
waiting to sell you extra tickets.
One word of caution: Make sure you know the retail prices
of what you want to buy, and try not to buy on impulse. Stores
are numbered 1 through 50, and if you want something special
just ask any of the store clerks; they are happy to direct
you to the right place.
If you need delivery service to San José for stoves,
washers, dryers or refrigerators, contract someone directly
from a cargo company. Just ask the people where you bought
the merchandise. They will be happy to recommend someone.
You can find these people close to the stores and if you cannot
find them, ask anyone and they can help you out. The cost
of delivery is two to three percent of the price of the products.
It isn't worth it to take any products back with you that
were not bought under your name. There are many police stops
and check points along the way and they ask for documentation
of the purchase, so make sure to keep all paperwork and receipts.
You will need your papers at check out time from the free
zone.
For small items, many foreign residents go to the town of
David, Panama, near the Panamanian border. Prices on everything
including household goods are nearly as low as in the United
States. However, because of taxes you will have to pay on
large electronic goods and appliances, it is better to shop
at the duty-free depósito across the border
in Golfito. Nevertheless, foreign residents living in Costa
Rica on a 90- day tourist visa can go to David for 72 hours
to renew their papers for another three months. (Be aware
that many frown upon this status of perpetual tourist, and
the government is looking at changing this possibility.)
After taking high shipping costs into consideration, you
may be reluctant to ship any household items from the United
States. This is a matter of personal choice. Most foreign
residents and even Costa Ricans prefer U.S. products because
of their higher quality. However, many retirees live comfortably
and happily without luxuries and expensive appliances.
You can rent a furnished apartment. If you choose, you can
furnish an apartment, excluding stove and refrigerator, for
a few hundred dollars. Wooden furniture is inexpensive in
Costa Rica. You can also purchase good used furniture and
appliances from expatriates and others moving out of the country.
Check the local English-language newspapers. What you need
to import depends on your personal preference and budget.
Make an effort to get rid of clutter and bulky items, and
do not ship what can be easily or cheaply replaced in Costa
Rica. Try to leave large appliances and furniture at home.
You pay more for these items in Costa Rica, but in the long
run they turn out to be less expensive when you take shipping
costs and taxes into consideration. Talk to other foreign
residents and retirees to see what they think is absolutely
necessary to bring to Costa Rica. One person who moved here
recently told us, Only bring what you absolutely cannot live
without.
If you still want to import your U.S. belongings and household
goods and want to save time and money, purchase and ship them
from Los Angeles, Houston, New Orleans or, preferably, Miami.
The latter is the U.S. port nearest to Costa Rica, and shipping
costs are lower. Look in the Yellow Pages of the Miami phone
book for a shipping company or call the company listed at
the end of this section.
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