Costa Rica Medical Equipment Import Process (USA → Costa Rica)
This guide helps Costa Rican hospitals, clinics, distributors, and licensed importers understand the process of importing pre-owned medical equipment from the United States.
Export-Ready Documentation
All documentation prepared to support Costa Rican customs requirements
Faster Clearance
Reduced customs delays through accurate pre-shipment documentation
Export Support
From quote to shipment, we prepare equipment for export from the USA
Regulatory Authority: Ministerio de Salud de Costa Rica (MS)
Pre-owned medical equipment can be legally imported into Costa Rica with proper documentation and regulatory compliance.
Classification System
Class I, II, III, IV (risk-based)
Registration Timeframe
4-8 months for registration
License Validity
5 years with renewal
Local Representative
Required for foreign manufacturers
Registration Fees
- • Class I-II: CRC 50,000-100,000 (~USD 100-200)
- • Class III-IV: CRC 150,000-300,000 (~USD 300-600)
Import Duties and Taxes
Import duties 0% for most medical equipment under CAFTA-DR
VAT Rate
13% (IVA)
Additional Charges
- • Ministry of Health registration fees
- • Customs processing
- • Port charges
Shipping to Costa Rica
Air Freight
Transit: 5-10 business days
Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), San José
Sea Freight
Transit: 4-6 weeks
Port: Port of Limón (Atlantic) / Port of Caldera (Pacific)
Buyer Responsibility Notice
Buyer is responsible for all Costa Rican regulatory approvals including MS registration, customs clearance, duties, and post-import certification. Rotala International provides export documentation from the USA; all Costa Rican import compliance is the buyer's responsibility.
Required Documents Checklist
From Rotala International (USA)
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
- Certificate of Origin
Required in Costa Rica
- Ministry of Health Sanitary Registration
- Certificate of Free Sale
- GMP or ISO 13485 certification
- Spanish labeling requirements
Ready to Import Medical Equipment to Costa Rica?
Browse our available inventory or contact us for a personalized Costa Rica export quote.