Import and sale of cars, Costa Rica

Options, answers and information for bettors First-Time
Recently a letter to the editor published in the Tico Times, advising people to "learn from our mistakes, if your car Express" (Beedle, 2008). When it can be moving is stressful, then you find your way in a foreign country crazy. But it must be. Your decisions are only as good as the information you have available. If you are shipping a car from abroad or the purchase of a need to know in Costa Rica, and consider the thoughtwhat follows.
Basics
What kind of car you want to buy / import? Are parts available for maintenance and repair? It is an ideal car for the roads of Costa Rica are often full of potholes and dirt roads damaged during the green season? You need a vehicle with a 4x4? Only you know your individual needs. They take the next step.
Driving a car in Costa Rica
Of course, this is a possibility and an adventure at that. If you are driving U.S.They have passed through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. This is not happening within the scope of this article for details of all these border crossings, but there are a lot of information that you know when you have to use that. A good starting point for your research: www.costaricareisen.com / company / commercial auto / info_eng.htm.
The Back & Forth
Even if you can just drift around in a fairly non-binding, it is better to know the laws are heldthe hard way. To renew your visa, you must leave the country every 90 days, for 3 days. This is not the same for your car - your car is to stay out for 90 days before returning. You must also bring the original import documents and visas while driving a car registered in the United States, Costa Rica (Beedle, 2008). Some people think they can leave the country for 72 hours and then bring the same car again to get a brand new permits. However, this isillegal. If you are caught doing so, you can make your car will be confiscated and may be sent to prison, deported and banned from Costa Rica for a number of years (Charles Zeller, shiptocostarica@racsa.co.cr, personal communication, December 24, 2008) . Your car is legal in Costa Rica for six months before you have to pay taxes. No matter what the car in the country, most are just a stamp in your passport for your car. But on January 1, 2009 Costa Rica is in forcethe CAFTA agreement, so maybe change the rule (Marielos Lawyer@CostaRicaLawyer.com Meléndez, personal communication, December 27, 2008).
Shipping costs
There are many shipping companies to choose from, so it's definitely worth checking out options to find the best deal. You can start fishing around with the presentation of quotes online from sites such as:
www.omegashipping.com / carshipping.asp
www.compare-international-movers.com
www.autocarshippers.com
www.rexcargo.com
www.jetbox.com
Remember to take into account costs such as storage, port charges, insurance, documentation, take, handling and customs controls, demurrage (compensation to be paid by you in case there is a delay of loading or unloading), delivery, etc. Each vehicle would ship in Costa Rica also have a smog test EPA approved by a local consulate of the country of export. It 'important to find out what your package includesand what charges are outstanding. To read a case study that quotes Nicolas Ruggia article "Bring in your child's four-wheel", the Tico Times, May 23, 2008 Read retire. For more information, please e-mail Charles Zeller shiptocostarica@racsa.co.cr or call (toll free in the U.S. and Canada) or contact 1-866-245-6923 (506) 2258-8747.
For information and advice to prevent fraud shipping, see: www.autocarshippers.com / carshippingscam.aspx.
Shipping Costs
The Black Book
is exported to determine a value for the car, you must present the invoice with the cost. If you do not have a trading account, you must specify a value. It can not be groped a value from the sneaky, follow the customs officers a guide - a black (or blue) point. If the vote is about 3% of what they found was rejected. The guide lists prices fornew and used cars (cars are like any other machine that transports property / set the title). Examples of Canadian and U.S. evaluations, you can visit www.blackbookguides.com.
It should also www.crautos.com. The site is not discouraged in Spanish, though. Click on "Blue Book" tab at the top of the page, click on "Ingres" ("Access"). This leads to a form on which you can get data on a budget. The estimate is based on a database of used vehicles in Costa Rica
In spite of these leaders, the Government of Costa Rica is often the last word on the values ​​of self and higher values ​​may apply to cars that the one mentioned in the book (www.costarica.com / security / Cost of living / expenses Cars ). "Costa Rica market values" from the government of values ​​based on the sale of vehicles used in the CR applied after year and model of your car is, the price can be multiplied together, 432 -, 502, the importance of creating value . And this is what canExpensive things. For more information and an example of how such calculations can see www.1costaricalink.com/elresidente/oo-3-4-2001.htm costs.
Costs and cost estimates
You may be bitten by a car with high import taxes and duties on imports. Taxes between the Government of Costa Rica 50-80% of the value of the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) OR 50-80% of the value by the Costa Rican Ministry of Finance, Car System Tica (Ruggia, 2008) were determined.
Factors to considerConsideration in determining the value not only buying a car and the value of the year, but also the model, cubic centimeters, and each extra vehicle. The older the car, the less is taxed (the old cars are about 10 years or more defined), are (www.vacationcity.com / Costa Rica / information / Import-Export). From 1 January 2009, regardless of whether he drove the car in Costa Rica and it was delivered, models calculated 2007,2,008 thousand in 2009 and 52.9% of the value of importsHacienda. Models 2006 and 2005 pay 63.7% and 79.03% calculated is a bit 'bigger (Charles Zeller, shiptocostarica@racsa.co.cr, personal communication, December 23, 2008).
To get a better idea of ​​what can be charged, consult the website of the Government "Ministerio de Hacienda" on www.hacienda.go.cr / autohacienda / autovalor.aspx. On this page, enter the dates of your vehicle have a price. Note: Sometimes government websites are outdated and the best thingcan do is ask a professional or official. Another way to estimate the tasks of receiving a fax or e-mail the Association of Residents (arcr@casacanada.net / www.arcr.net) determines where the cars out of the car, ship model want to send serial (VIN), characteristics such as the use or the automatic climate control, electric windows, and all other non-standard equipment. You can also e-Charles Zeller (contact details under "car delivery") and you can use the car through the research of national contactWrite to:
2620 Barrett Road,
PO Box 758,
Gainesville, GA 30503rd
Tel (800) 554-1026, fax (770) 532-4792
(Www.vacationcity.com / Costa Rica / information / Import-Export, Howard, 2008).
Registration and license plates
For a new car was brought into the country must be registered with the tax office in San Jose in two days (www.costaricareisen.com / company / commercial auto / info_eng.htm). You can get the documentation for the customs registration from there.The cost for registration depends on the value of your car. First, the documents section of the vehicle registry records be made public or Público, and then the Ministry of Public Works (Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes). Over time, with a preliminary Placa (temporary paper plate) through the public register, which issued you display on your windshield. The document is likely to be eliminated in order to add a photocopy of the windshield and keep the original in the glove compartmentBox. You have to look at the date of expiry of the paper plates while you wait for your permanent metal plates as a fine (from 10,000 to 20,000 Colones, or $ 20 to $ 40) when you renew, and do not run it can be. You can not renew the license of paper until the day of maturity. You have to go back to the registry to do Público renovated and there is no fee to do so (director, 2008). After the leaves are done, you have to go to the registry Nacional (NationalRegistry) and provides:
Your temporary paper plates,
Title of ownership (Título de propiedad)
Registration yellow card (Tarjeta de circulación) and ...
The passport or ID card resident (cedula).
Insurance
You can hire someone to take care of all these processes is for you or your dealer to take him to do.
Visit the website of the National Register (English only) on www.registronacional.com (Howard, 2008; Lytle, 2008a; Administrator, 2008).
Inspection(RITEVE)
Cars need general maintenance and safety checks to ensure that they are worthy of the road. In Costa Rica is known as RTV or RITEVE. Besides brakes, lights, turn signals, windshield wipers and controls, exhaust emissions are also examined. Cars less than 5 years must be reviewed every two years, while older vehicles are checked annually. The month goes to the control depends on the last digits of your number plate, ie 1 = January 2 = February and so on. Figures borderin 0 are tested in October and November checks Autos 5.1. It's worth booking in advance, you can call or do so by visiting the website www.rtv.co.cr. If Google now, the site can be translated into English for you. $ 30/25, 000 Colones - information from the website as the location of the test facilities, access to appropriate information, information on how to control, legislation, appointments, dates, etc. costs about $ 20. E 'possible to rent a trustTico to your car to check for you. Once passed the RTV will receive a certificate and a sticker on the windshield. required to pay the Marcham. For more information on the government website to see www.mopt.go.cr RTV / Reglamentos.html. For more information see www.costarica.com / security / Cost of living / expenses and car Lytle (2008a).
The Marcham
The Marcham is a permit is required to run the car every year. It contains several liabilityInsurance. The price again depends on your car. You can compare prices http://portal.ins-cr.com/General/Marchamo. All you have to do is to "Aqua Look at Marcham (Ask your Marcham here), click and give your vehicle type and license plate.
You must renew this permit every year some waiting time between November 1 and last day of December, but if you avoid headaches, to the last. If you have outstanding parking and traffic areasFines must stop and must also prove that you have passed to show the RTV. If you receive a sticker for the windshield to pay. If you are not charged to the new year, you have to risk a warning, a ticket or confiscation of your car. You can Marcham Mopti, banks and pay online with Banco Nacional in www.bncr.fi.cr. For more information, see Howard (2008), Lytle (2008a and 2008b), and www.costarica.com / security / Cost of living / cost of car).
BenefitsOwner / import a car in Costa Rica
• vehicles retain their value in Costa Rica much longer than in other countries. If you are in an old car and, finally decides to sell it, you can still help a good price to redeem what to spend here. Remember that this also means when you buy a used car in Costa Rica, the prices are a bit 'Darer of what could be reused at home (Lytle, 2008b).
• repairs and maintenance are usually10-15% less than what you pay in the United States. Prices vary between sites and working groups, so you can look around (www.costarica.com/Retirement/Cost-of-Living/Auto-Expenses/).
and inconvenience of having to import a car in Costa Rica
• Gasoline can be expensive and you can not shop around because prices are set by the government. Fuel was one of the $ 4.40, $ 5.20 per gallon, the late-2008 (www.costarica.com/Retirement/Cost-of-Living/Auto-Expenses/) sold.
• Customs duties are notcheap. $ 17,000 in customs duties (Lytle, 2008b) - For example, a car $ 20,000, depending on age, cost $ 10,000.
• Costa Rica, not all the same brands and models that are available in other countries. You might want to import a particular vehicle, but if you are not able to go to an experienced mechanic and find the right parts for your vehicle, you might think twice. (Unless you import car parts is not a problem for you).
• If your carpurchased in the U.S. (or elsewhere) the guarantee and warranty may not apply in Costa Rica
• You run the risk of your car will be damaged during transport.
For more information, visit www.vacationcity.com / Costa Rica / information / Import / Export.
Buy a car
If you're on a budget, rather than the import, it is generally cheaper to buy a car in Costa Rica This can also be to your advantage, the vehicles used are already in the countryadapted to the circumstances, with the development of the engine, tires, etc. If you want to buy something new, can be more expensive than you pay in foreign countries, because the import tax paid for the shipment here.
Costa Rica newspapers like La Nacion, La Teja, Diario Extra, and The Tico Times (English) are a good place to start surfing for local prices. You can also check the Web sites and www.crautos.com www.wheelsCR.com. For four weeks during the end of 2008Most cars sold in the Tico Times were recruited 4x4 vehicles, especially Toyota Land Cruiser. Besides Toyota, other brands popular in Costa Rica, Nissan, Honda, Suzuki and Hyundai.
If you can not pay directly for your car and finance it, you'll need proof of income or a good offer credit record of Costa Rica If you do not have a stable income or not in Costa Rica for a period enough to have established a good credit, you could try a differentCitizen or resident to sign the cooperation with you. Failing that, we must deal with high interest rates (if they find a dealer who finance it for you).
E 'imperative that you sign before each paper, you can control the car to a mechanic's true - and not the mechanic recommended by the seller. Also you have the car in the know - especially if you are involved in a private sale. After all, you do not want the hassle of hidden costs. Read more about:
www.therealcostarica.com / moving_to_costa_rica / bring_buy_car.html
www.costarica.com / security / Cost of living / car expenses
www.livecostarica.net/?q=node/74
Auto Insurance
In addition to liability insurance that is in Marcham car insurance is not a requirement in Costa Rica As a result, many people choose to remain uninsured because the value of your car does not justify the payment of higher fees - if thethe boat is, then you should not cause an accident or are responsible for any damages (www.costarica.com / security / Cost of living / cost of car).
The government of Costa Rica has a monopoly on insurance for the last 84 years instead. The coverage is sold by offices of the National Institute of Insurance (INS) and foreign insurance companies are generally not valid. In October, the Tico Times has suggested foreign companies could cross-border insurance services for maritime and air transport (TT, Oct. 31, p. 15 providecar insurance rates could go up to 14%), but as for car insurance Tico Times reported in November that can not compete in the motor insurance market is open until 2011 (Tico Times' Agency rejected the request Excursion auto insurance "VI Garnica, Nov 21, p. 3).
In the meantime, visitors can cover the INS, provided they have a valid driver's license, at least 18 years, and have not expired 90 days. If the car is covered with unique dishes of foreigners for damagesWhen the car is allowed in the country. If you've financed your car through a dealer, you probably will do the job, a policy for you and take some sort of insurance fee in re-payments (www.costarica.com / security / Cost of Living / Auto expenses, admin , 2008, Lytle, 2008a and 2008b).
The law
All you need to drive legally in Costa Rica is a valid driving license and passport. There is a law as "License Plate Rule", which is known in downtown San Jose. ToMonday 1 & 2, 3 & 4 Tuesday, Wednesday, 5:06, 7:08 Thursday, and Friday, 9:00: traffic control to help the day from Monday to Friday numbers are assigned. Day, the last number of games of your plate is the day you have to keep your car off the road (from 6.00 bis 07:00 clock). If you make the rule that you can about $ 10 or 5,000 colones get a goal. See a map for the protected area www.livecostarica.net/?q=node/183.
Recently, the governmentcracking down on traffic violations, by substantially increasing fines. Even if a court reserves the right to replace the prison of the civil service, the new law potentially send drivers to prison for up to 3 years for other auto racing, speeding over 150 km / ph, or driving with a rate -alcohol content of 0.75 grams per liter (155 pound man could reach that level of drinking three or four beers over an hour). A merit system was introduced, in which the driver first 50 points.Points will be deducted crimes occur. If you lose all the points, you lose your license for two years. The crimes and their penalties are listed below (Giller 2008):
More than one serious accident six months to 8 years prison
More than one serious accident drunk 3 -15 years in prison
Race against other drivers 1-3 years in prison
Drunk driving (BAC 0.75 g / l) 1-3 years in prison
Drunk driving (BAC 0.5 g / l), fine $ 410
Drivingfaster than 150 km / h 1-3 years in prison
to drive faster than 120 kmh $ 410 fine
Driving without a valid license or permit $ 410 fine
Operating System, a $ 410 fine pirate taxis
Driving 20 km / h over the speed limit $ 310 fine
She does not wear $ 310 fine
Holding a phone $ 310 fine
Ignoring traffic lights or signs $ 310 fine
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