Costa Rica customs rules & duty-free allowances
Costa Rica runs a strict red/green customs channel, and officers at SJO, LIR and the land borders are known for aggressive agricultural inspections and sniffer dogs. The single biggest risk is walking the green channel with undeclared food, plants or over-limit goods — that is treated as smuggling, not a paperwork slip.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances (cocaine, marijuana, heroin, etc.) — possession carries long prison sentences.
- Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, plants and soil — banned to prevent agricultural pests.
- Meat and dairy products from countries with animal disease outbreaks (e.g., certain pork and beef).
- Counterfeit goods and pirated media.
- Weapons, ammunition and explosives without a prior permit from the Ministry of Public Security.
- E-cigarettes and vaping products — Costa Rica bans the import and sale of e-cigarettes and similar devices.
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Prescription medications — allowed for personal use with a prescription, but controlled substances need a Ministry of Health permit.
- Pets and live animals — require an import permit and health certificate from the origin country.
- Drones — must be declared; flying them near airports or protected areas is illegal without permission.
- Satellite phones — require a permit from the telecommunications authority (SUTEL).
- Firearms — only allowed with a special permit obtained before arrival; otherwise they will be seized.
Arriving: red vs green channel
After immigration, collect your bags and walk through customs. You will see two channels: green (nothing to declare) and red (goods to declare). If you have anything over the allowances, any food or plant material, or more than ₡5,100,000 (USD 10,000) in cash, you must use the red channel and fill out a customs declaration form — the form is also handed out on the plane. If you have nothing to declare, walk through green; random inspections are common, and undeclared items mean a fine and possible seizure.
Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds
Costa Rica has no tourist VAT refund scheme at the airport. The 13% IVA (VAT) you pay on purchases is not refundable when you leave, so do not expect a tax-free desk at SJO or LIR.
Bringing medication
Bring personal medication in its original labelled container with a copy of your prescription. You can bring up to a 3-month supply for personal use. Controlled substances (opioids, benzodiazepines, amphetamines) require a prior permit from the Ministry of Health; without it, they can be confiscated and you could be detained. Some common Western drugs — including certain strong painkillers and ADHD medications — are restricted, so check with the Costa Rican embassy before you fly.
Food, plants & animal products
Costa Rica is strict on agricultural imports to protect its crops. Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, plants, soil and meat products are prohibited or require a phytosanitary certificate. Commercially packaged, shelf-stable foods (canned goods, sealed snacks) are usually fine, but you must declare any food or plant item. If in doubt, declare it — the fine for smuggling a piece of fruit is steep.
Rules worth knowing
Red/green channel is mandatory
Costa Rica enforces the red/green customs channel. If you have anything to declare — including food, plants, cash over ₡5,100,000 (USD 10,000), or goods above the allowance — you must use the red channel. Walking through green with undeclared items is treated as smuggling and can result in a fine of up to 100% of the item's value plus confiscation.
No duty-free on arrival for residents
The duty-free allowances listed here apply only to non-resident tourists and temporary visitors. Costa Rican residents returning from abroad have a much lower allowance (often USD 500) and must pay duty on almost everything above that.
Agricultural inspections are aggressive
Even a single apple or a ham sandwich can trigger a fine if you fail to declare it. Customs officers at SJO and LIR frequently use sniffer dogs for food products. Always declare any food item, even if you think it's allowed.
Cash declaration is per person, not per family
The ₡5,100,000 (USD 10,000) threshold applies to each individual traveller, not to a family group. If you are travelling with family and collectively carry more than that, each person must declare their share. Splitting cash among bags to avoid declaration is illegal.