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flag Costa Rica Costa Rica: Trade Profile

Foreign Trade in Figures

Costa Rica is open to international trade and except for the import of weapons and used tires, there are no other significant trade barriers in the country.

Customs duties are comparatively low and generally do not exceed 15%, except for dairy, livestock and agricultural products. Imports originating from Guatemala, Honduras, Salvador and Nicaragua are duty free. However, there is an export tax on bananas and coffee.

Costa Rica offers numerous incentive schemes, exports subsidies and tax exemptions to export companies. Greater transparency is expected as a result of a comprehensive and rational evaluation of the incentive policy, which could in the long term, promote foreign trade.

In 2010, the country had a trade balance deficit, a trend which is expected to continue for the coming years.

Costa Rica's main trading partners are the countries of the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), specifically USA, Canada and Mexico, as well as the European Union and China. Since 2009, the country also has a free-trade agreement with the USA, Central America and the Dominican Republic (Dr-CAFTA).

 
Foreign Trade Indicators 20062007200820092010
Imports of Goods (million USD) 11,54812,95215,37211,39513,570
Exports of Goods (million USD) 8,2009,3379,5048,7849,341
Imports of Services (million USD) 1,6171,8141,8891,4071,715
Exports of Services (million USD) 2,9333,5214,1173,6944,330
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 844-1218
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 1010-212
Trade Balance (million USD) -2,727-2,985-5,013-2,039-3,576
Current Account (million USD) -1,023-1,646-2,752-537-
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) 1041021018586
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 5554564244
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 4949464341

Source: WTO - World Trade Organization ; World Bank - Last Available Data.

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Main Partner Countries

Main Customers
(% of Exports)
2010
United States 37.4%
Netherlands 7.0%
Hong Kong 4.8%
Panama 4.8%
Nicaragua 4.2%
See More Countries 41.8%
Main Suppliers
(% of Imports)
2010
United States 46.8%
China 7.1%
Mexico 6.4%
Japan 3.6%
Colombia 3.6%
See More Countries 32.5%

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

Main Products

Main Exports
(% of Exports)
2010
Electronic integrated circuits and microassembliesElectronic integrated circuits and microassemblies 10.3%
Parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying...Parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the like) suitable for use solely or principally with machines of heading 8469 to 8472, n.e.s. 9.0%
Instruments and appliances used in medical,...Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, incl. scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight-testing instruments, n.e.s. 8.3%
Bananas, incl. plantains, fresh or driedBananas, incl. plantains, fresh or dried 7.8%
Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes...Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, fresh or dried 7.5%
See More Products 57.1%
Main Imports
(% of Imports)
2010
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals 9.3%
Electronic integrated circuits and microassembliesElectronic integrated circuits and microassemblies 8.4%
Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed...Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006) 3.2%
Printed circuitsPrinted circuits 2.9%
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally...Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars (excl. motor vehicles of heading 8702) 2.9%
See More Products 73.3%

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

 

To go further, check out our service Import export flows

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Commercial Policy

Main International Economic Cooperation
Member of World Trade Organisation
Consult the Free Trade Agreement signed by Costa Rica.
Member of Central American Common Market (CACM)
Member of
Latin American Integration Association (LAIA)  (Observer)
Member of Group of 77 (G-77)
Assessment of Commercial Policy
Country’s commercial policy
Barriers to exchanges
Average Customs Duty (Excluding Agricultural Products)
5.89%
 

List of tariffs and local taxes that apply to your product on our service Customs duties and local taxes

 
Useful Resources
Customs web site



National Organization of Intellectual Property
The National Registy of Intelectual Property.
 

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Learn more about How to Export to Costa Rica on Globaltrade.net, the Directory for International Trade Services.
 

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Last Updates: January 2012

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