Shipping from China to Costa Rica Cost and Time

China is one of the world’s largest exporters, catering to the world’s needs in different industrial sectors. In 2019, China’s exports to Costa Rica were US$1.5 billion.
Trade relations between China and Costa Rica have surged in recent years, requiring efficient transportation solutions. This guide provides a detailed overview of shipping options, including sea and air freight, container options, transit times, major ports, customs considerations, and factors that affect shipping costs.

Shipping from China to Costa Rica

There are two main ways of shipping from China to Costa Rica: sea freight and air freight.

Sea freight from China to Costa Rica

Do you want to ship cargo containers from China to Costa Rica? Our shipping services from China to Costa Rica cover all major ports: Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Dalian, Xiamen, Hong Kong and Macau. We provide door-to-door, door-to-port and port-to-port shipping services from China to Costa Rica based on your specific needs.

The estimated port-to-port transit time for shipping containers from China to Costa Rica is 30 to 40 days. Number of days will vary depending on desired service route and sailing schedule.

Full Container Load – Full Container Shipping from China to Costa Rica
We offer full container shipping services for 20-foot containers and 40-foot containers to Costa Rica. If the goods being transported require a different type of equipment, such as open-top containers, flat racks, reefers or other equipment, our specialist equipment department will provide you with the best alternative.

Less than a container load – LCL shipping from China to Costa Rica
If the goods cannot fill the entire container, we always offer sea freight LCL services from China to Costa Rica. When using this service, the applicable rates depend on the volume of the shipment. If the weight of the shipment exceeds the maximum allowed weight per cubic meter, the applicable rates are based on weight.

Air freight from China to Costa Rica

We have established an extensive network of carriers specializing in air cargo, offering daily and weekly flights from major airports in China to any air destination around the world.

Our air freight services from China to Costa Rica provide a safe and reliable solution for all your air transportation needs, including time-sensitive and high-value goods. Our shipping options include airport-to-airport, door-to-door, airport-to-door and door-to-airport services, etc.

When shipping by air, our team of experts provide the most cost-effective solutions and fastest routes. We take care of your shipment from start to finish, overseeing every stage of the logistics chain from the moment your shipment is picked up until it reaches its destination.

The average transit time for air cargo from China to Costa Rica is typically 3 to 8 days, depending on the route chosen. This situation may differ when large volumes of goods are transported due to increased market demand.

China main loading ports (POL) and Costa Rica main ports of discharge (POD) for sea freight & air freight

Shipping Costs from China to Costa Rica

The final cost of shipping from China to Costa Rica depends on several factors. Before preparing a quote, your freight forwarder may ask for the following details:

• Nature of your shipment
• Your preferred shipping method (FCL, LCL, air freight)
• The weight and dimensions of your shipment
• Origin and destination
• Service type (e.g. port-to-port, door-to-door)

Cost Of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Container From China To Costa Rica

The average price to ship a container from China to Costa Rica is US$2,650 to US$5,850.
The cost of shipping a full container from China to Costa Rica depends on the size of the container (20ft or 40ft) and the timetable route, please contact the Bassindon Quotation Team for detailed rates for shipping containers from China to the major ports of Costa Rica Container port.

• How much does it cost to ship a 20-foot container from China to Costa Rica? The average price for shipping a 20-foot container from China to Costa Rica is from US$2,650 to US$4,850. Shipping schedules for shipping 20-foot containers from China to Costa Rica vary by route.
• How much does it cost to ship a 40-foot container from China to Costa Rica? The average price of shipping a 40-foot container from China to Costa Rica is from US$3,050 to US$5,850. Shipping schedules for shipping 40-foot containers from China to Costa Rica vary by route.

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How much does it cost to ship a container from China to Costa Rica

These are the average prices to ship a container from China Costa Rica with the cheapest rates for loading and shipping containers from the major ports in China to Costa Rica for 20ft and 40ft containers (FCL) with all types of cargo such as: commercial cargo, vehicles, or personal effects for international shipments from China to Costa Rica.

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How long does it take to ship from China to Costa Rica?

Shipping goods from China to Costa Rica takes 30 to 40 days, and air shipping takes 3 to 8 days.
Actual shipping times may vary depending on terminals, services and routes selected, weather, congestion, market seasonal changes and other factors.

The average transit time, sailing, and vessel schedule to ship your container from China to Costa Rica from the major ports in China.

If you are interested in the cost from China to other countries in America, you can click on the corresponding post below:

Door to Door Shipping from China to Costa Rica

Door to Door shipping service covers the entire process of pickup, customs declaration, transportation, customs clearance and delivery from China to the delivery address in Costa Rica. Its core advantage is that customers only need to provide the necessary information, and the rest will be handled by the logistics company, which is especially suitable for customers who want to simplify the operation process.

For many Chinese exporters who are shipping to Costa Rica for the first time, unfamiliarity with the customs clearance requirements, language communication problems and distribution networks of Central American countries are potential obstacles. Through door-to-door service, all intermediate links are connected by a professional team, significantly reducing delays, errors and cost opacity.

In terms of time and efficiency, Door to Door usually provides a complete set of transportation plans, arranges door-to-door pickup from major manufacturing bases in China (such as Guangzhou, Yiwu, Shenzhen, etc.), and coordinates the best transportation route to San Jose, Limon and other cities or surrounding areas in Costa Rica.

For e-commerce sellers, wholesalers or project cargo, this one-stop solution can save human resources, improve delivery certainty, and help customers establish a more professional and reliable image in the target market.

DDP Shipping from China to Costa Rica

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) transportation service means that all costs and responsibilities of the goods during transportation are borne by the shipper, including tariffs, VAT and customs clearance procedures in the destination country. When shipping from China to Costa Rica, this service greatly simplifies the operation of the consignee, so that it does not need to handle any procedures or pay additional fees when receiving the goods.

This model is particularly suitable for exporters who ship frequently or want to provide a better after-sales experience, especially when facing buyers who do not understand the customs clearance process. The consignee only needs to wait for the goods to be delivered, and the shipper can use this to enhance the stability of cooperation and customer satisfaction.

In Costa Rica, import regulations change frequently, and the product categories and tax rates involved are more complicated to calculate. Logistics companies calculate estimated taxes for customers in advance and maintain document compliance throughout the process, which can effectively avoid risks such as detention, return or port detention.

DDP not only reflects service capabilities, but also a commitment to timeliness and professionalism. Choosing DDP transportation means that the company attaches importance to customer experience and is also a way to enhance competitiveness in China-Latin America trade cooperation.

learn more: DDP Shipping from China

What documents are needed to import from China to Costa Rica?

The requirements for importing from China to Costa Rica are to present an English-translated commercial invoice and a detailed packing list, which must indicate details of quantity, product type and shipping location, and then provide the following documents to customs in Costa Rica:

Goods imported from China must have the following documents:

• Bill of Lading Manifest, used for import, release and tax purposes.
• Costa Rica tax identification number
• Tariff subheadings and location of goods
• Register as an importer in Costa Rica
• Costa Rica Customs Value Declaration
• Costa Rica is Debt Free
• Transfer inventory from China to Costa Rica (simple copy)
• To own a trade or company patent in Costa Rica, you must show that you are committed to importing from China.
• China Phytosanitary Export Certificate (Simplified Copy)
• Demonstrating Costa Rica’s economic solvency
• Develop the terms of an Incoterms import agreement.
• Find a good customs broker in Costa Rica
• Original bill of lading, sea waybill or air waybill from the shipping company
• packing list
• commercial invoice
• China Joint Certificate of Production Value and Origin (CCVO)
• A letter of authorization authorizing your customs broker to handle import customs clearance for you in Costa Rica.

For shipping information from China to other countries in the Americas, you can click:

Shipping Company from China to Costa Rica

To transport goods from China to Costa Rica efficiently and safely, a trustworthy international freight company is indispensable. With the increasing trade between China and the Americas, professional logistics companies that are familiar with the trade structure, customs clearance regulations and transportation routes between the two places can play a key role.

Basenton Logistics has long focused on the Chinese export market, especially in Latin America, and has accumulated rich operational experience. Whether it is full container load (FCL), less than container load (LCL), air express or door-to-door/DDP dedicated line services, we can provide comprehensive customized solutions to meet customers’ different needs from cost control to time management.

In Costa Rica, we have established a stable cooperative relationship with local customs clearance agents and distribution companies to ensure that the goods are smoothly cleared and safely delivered to the designated address. Whether it is commercial goods sent to San Jose or engineering machinery in remote areas, we have the corresponding transportation capacity and resource scheduling advantages.

In addition, we are equipped with a professional customer service team, and each customer is equipped with a dedicated logistics consultant to track the status of the goods in real time, and actively provide operational suggestions to ensure that the transportation process is clear and controllable. Basenton is not only a freight forwarder, but also a long-term partner for customers to steadily expand into the Central American market.