Doing Business with Costa Rica

Exporting to Costa Rica involves several steps to ensure compliance with regulations. Here’s a detailed guide:

1. Conduct Market Research

   • Analyze demand for your product in Costa Rica.
   • Understand the competitive landscape and regulatory requirements.

2. Verify Product Compliance

   • Ensure your product meets Costa Rican standards and regulations.
   • Check if specific certifications or permits are required.

3. Prepare Documentation

   • Include commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin.
   • Ensure compliance with Costa Rican customs requirements.

Key Contacts

• Procomer (Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency): Procomer Website
• Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX): COMEX Website

Importing goods into Costa Rica requires adhering to local customs laws and tax regulations.

1. Register Your Business

   • Ensure your business is registered with the Costa Rican authorities and obtain a tax ID.

2. Classify Your Goods

   • Use the Harmonized System (HS) codes to classify your goods accurately for duty assessment.

3. Customs Clearance

   • Work with a customs broker to facilitate the clearance process. Pay any duties and taxes required.

Key Contacts

• Customs General Directorate: Customs Website

Incorporating a company in Costa Rica involves several key steps:

1. Choose a Business Structure

   • Decide on the type of company: Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Corporation (S.A.).

2. Register with the National Registry

   • Submit incorporation documents to the National Registry to obtain a corporate identification number (Cédula Jurídica).

3. Social Security Registration

   • Register with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) for employee benefits.

Key Contacts

• National Registry (Registro Nacional): Registro Nacional Website

Setting up a manufacturing plant in Costa Rica provides access to key Free Trade Zone incentives.

1. Choose a Suitable Location

   • Identify industrial zones with necessary infrastructure and proximity to ports like Limón or Caldera.

2. Secure Financing and Incentives

   • Explore funding options and government incentives for sustainable manufacturing.

Registering a trademark in Costa Rica ensures legal protection for your brand.

1. Trademark Search

   • Check availability through the Costa Rican Intellectual Property Registry.

2. Registration and Certification

   • If no oppositions arise, the trademark is registered for a period of **10 years**.

Disputes can be settled through Negotiation, Mediation, or the Judicial system:

1. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

   • Mediation and Arbitration are often quicker and more formal than court proceedings.

2. Litigation

   • File a lawsuit in the relevant Costa Rican court if ADR methods fail.

1. Language and Culture

• Spanish is the official language, but English is widely used in business. Personal trust and networking are vital.

2. Economic Factors

• The currency is the **Costa Rican Colón (CRC)**. The country is a major hub for medical device manufacturing and eco-tourism.