Used car purchases

Justagirl8870 Contributor

Member since 06 March 2019

Justagirl8870Contributor09 June 2023 12:18:31

175

Hello friends. Do you have to pay duty when you buy a car used in CR? Trying to decide whether to buy new or used.

thanks!

TerrynViv Serial expat

Member since 21 October 2011

TerrynVivSerial expat09 June 2023 13:02:11

650

We have bought 1 used car and 1 new car while living in Costa Rica. No duty on either (except it is definitely buried in the new car sticker price).

daveandmarcia Serial expat

Member since 03 February 2023

daveandmarciaSerial expat09 June 2023 13:45:55

297

That's right, TerrynViv. Every car imported to Costa Rica is subject to Customs import duty at a rate determined by Customs. It doesn't matter if the car is new or used; nor does it matter who actually imports the vehicle -- new car dealers, used car dealers, or private owners. The Customs duty is embedded in the price of all vehicles and is, in effect, carried on from the original importer to the next owner every time the vehicle changes hands.

I'm not fully up to speed on this, but there is, or will be, some relief for expats who are relocating to Costa Rica, but the process is not yet fully fleshed out.