How to Ship Goods From China to Costa Rica｜Full Logistics Breakdown 2026
Sea Freight FCL/LCL · Air Cargo to San Jose · International Express — Goodhope Freight (China) Limited
How to Ship Goods From China to Costa Rica — this complete logistics breakdown covers everything you need to know for 2026. Located in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica is a stable, eco‑conscious democracy with a population of approximately 5.2 million. The country is a leading exporter of pineapples, bananas, coffee, and medical devices, and is home to a thriving technology and services sector. Costa Rica was the first Central American country to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China (in 2010), and China is now its second-largest trading partner. Trade between the two nations has grown consistently, reaching $4.45 billion in 2025, with China exporting $2.65 billion to Costa Rica and importing $1.80 billion.
Goodhope Freight (China) Limited is a professional freight forwarder based in China, dedicated to providing efficient and transparent logistics solutions for Costa Rican importers, businesses, and individuals. The country's primary maritime gateways are Moin Port on the Caribbean coast — which is undergoing a major expansion with the new APM Terminals facility — and Caldera Port on the Pacific coast, both equipped with modern container facilities. Air freight arrives at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica's main international gateway. Our sea and air services terminate at these gateways, while express courier offers true door‑to‑door delivery.
🇨🇷 Costa Rica Logistics Snapshot 2026
- Moin Port (Caribbean) – Costa Rica's largest container port, handling the majority of the country's containerised cargo. The new APM Terminals Moin facility, opened in 2019, features a 650-metre quay and can handle 1.5 million TEUs annually, with 16-metre depth for Post-Panamax vessels. A new $2.8 million container security scanner was installed in April 2026 to expedite inspections.
- Caldera Port (Pacific) – Costa Rica's main Pacific coast port, operated by DP World since 2021 under a 20-year concession. Handles containerised, breakbulk, and project cargo, serving trade with Asia and the Americas.
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) – Costa Rica's primary international airport, located in Alajuela near San Jose. Handles cargo and passenger flights, with major airlines including United Airlines, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, and Lufthansa.
- China-Costa Rica FTA – In effect since 2011, eliminating or reducing tariffs on thousands of products, significantly boosting bilateral trade. China is Costa Rica's second-largest trading partner overall.
- Key Imports from China – Machinery, electronics, vehicles and parts, textiles, plastic products, and industrial equipment. In March 2026, top Chinese exports included cars ($3.52M), electric motors ($2.68M), and injection-moulding machines ($1.27M).
- Key Exports to China – Medical devices, electronics (chips), pineapples, bananas, coffee, beef, and processed foods. Azucarera El Viejo exported 3,000 tonnes of sugar to China in January 2026, with another 7,000 tonnes slated for the following months.
Sea Freight – FCL (Full Container Load) to Costa Rica
Full Container Load
We offer full container shipping from major Chinese ports (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Qingdao) to Costa Rica's two main seaports: Moin Port on the Caribbean coast — the country's largest and most modern container facility, handling 1.5 million TEUs annually — and Caldera Port on the Pacific coast, operated by DP World with a 20-year concession.
Routing:
- Moin Route (Preferred): China → Moin — direct or via Panama/Cartagena transshipment
- Caldera Route: China → Caldera — via Pacific transshipment hubs (Buenaventura, Balboa)
- Container types: 20GP / 40GP / 40HQ, with regular weekly sailings
- Included: Export customs clearance in China, ocean freight, and destination THC
- Service end: Moin or Caldera Port. Consignee arranges clearance and final delivery
- Best for: Bulk cargo, machinery, electronics, vehicles, construction materials, consumer goods
- Transit time: Approximately 30‑45 days
FCL Pricing
- 20GP: Approximately $3,200 – $5,800
- 40GP / 40HQ: Approximately $5,000 – $8,500
- Rates vary by port of origin, shipping line, and seasonal demand.
Sea Freight – LCL (Less than Container Load) to Costa Rica
Less than Container Load
For shipments below a full container, LCL consolidation is cost‑effective. Cargo is consolidated in our China warehouse, shipped to Moin or Caldera, and deconsolidated. The consignee arranges clearance and final delivery.
- Pricing: $120 – $280 per cubic metre (CBM)
- Service end: Moin or Caldera Port warehouse
- Advantage: Ideal for 2‑15 CBM shipments, shared costs
- Transit time: Typically 35‑55 days
LCL Shipping Notes
LCL shipments to Costa Rica typically consolidate through regional transshipment hubs such as Panama (Colon) or Cartagena (Colombia) before reaching Costa Rican ports.
Air Freight – to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), San Jose
Air Freight to San Jose
Time‑sensitive cargo moves via air freight to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) — Costa Rica's main international gateway, located in Alajuela, approximately 20 km northwest of the capital San Jose. The airport handles passenger and cargo services for major airlines including United Airlines, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Lufthansa, and Avianca.
Air Cargo Highlights:
- Dedicated cargo terminals with cold storage for perishable exports (flowers, pineapples, medical devices)
- In 2025, SJO handled significant volumes of perishable and high-tech cargo
- Direct and connecting flights from North American hubs (Miami, Los Angeles, Houston)
- Transit time: 5‑10 business days
- Service end: SJO Airport. Consignee handles customs clearance and pickup
- Acceptable cargo: Electronics, medical devices, machinery parts, pharmaceuticals, perishables, high‑value goods
- Optional: Door‑to‑door with local customs clearance available upon request
Air Freight Pricing
- Cost: Approximately $4 – $10 per kg
- Key routing: China → Miami (MIA) / Los Angeles (LAX) / Houston (IAH) → SJO
- No direct cargo flights from China — all air freight requires transshipment through North American hubs.
International Express – DHL / FedEx / UPS / EMS
Express Courier
For small parcels, documents, samples, or personal effects, we offer integrated express courier services with true door‑to‑door delivery across Costa Rica — including San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Liberia, and all major cities.
- Carriers: DHL Express, FedEx Priority, UPS Worldwide, EMS
- Transit time: 3‑7 days door‑to‑door, with full online tracking
- Features: All‑inclusive rates, optional DDP, simplified customs
- Best for: Documents, samples, e‑commerce parcels, urgent small shipments
Pricing & DDP
Express courier rates are calculated based on volumetric weight. We provide all‑inclusive pricing with no hidden fees.
Costa Rica Customs & Trade Guide
Understanding customs procedures is essential for any How to Ship Goods From China to Costa Rica guide. Costa Rica has streamlined its foreign trade procedures and is a signatory to the Central American Common Market and the China-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement.
Key Customs Regulations
- Import Tariff: Ranges from 0% to 15% for most products under the FTA; sensitive goods may be higher
- VAT (IVA): 13% standard rate applies to most imports
- De Minimis Threshold: USD 50 — shipments below this value are exempt from duties and taxes
- Selective Consumption Tax: May apply to specific goods (alcohol, tobacco, fuel, vehicles)
- Import License: Required for certain regulated goods (pharmaceuticals, firearms, agricultural products, etc.)
- Processing Time: Typically 2‑5 days with complete documentation
- Digital Customs: Costa Rica uses an electronic customs system for faster processing
Required Documents
- Commercial Invoice — With complete description, value, and HS code
- Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air)
- Packing List — Contents, weight, and dimensions
- Certificate of Origin — Required for preferential duty rates under the China-Costa Rica FTA
- Import License — For regulated goods
- Health/Phytosanitary Certificates — For food and agricultural imports
2026 Trade & Infrastructure Updates
- Moin Port Security Scanner – $2.8 million investment (April 2026) to expedite container inspections
- DP World Caldera Concession – 20-year concession signed in 2021, modernising Pacific coast port operations
- 2025 Bilateral Trade – $4.45 billion total; China exports $2.65 billion, imports $1.80 billion
- 2026 Sugar Export to China – Azucarera El Viejo exported 3,000 tonnes in January, with 7,000 tonnes more planned
- Medical Device Exports – Costa Rica is a major global hub for medical device manufacturing, with China as a key market
- FTA Continues to Boost Trade – Duty reductions under the China-Costa Rica FTA have significantly increased bilateral flows
Why Choose Goodhope Freight for Shipping From China to Costa Rica?
- Costa Rica Route Expertise — Years of experience via Moin, Caldera, and SJO
- Transparent Pricing — All costs quoted upfront, including destination charges
- Flexible Logistics Mix — Sea, air, express — we advise the best solution
- Stable Capacity — Strong carrier partnerships (APM Terminals, DP World) ensure space availability
- 24/7 Support — English, Spanish, and Chinese account managers
- Value‑added Services — Insurance, warehousing, consolidation, FTA documentation assistance