Importing and selling cars, Costa Rica

Options, answers and information for the first time Punters
Recently, a letter to the editor published in The Times Tico, advising people to "learn from our mistakes, if your car delivery" (Bede, 2008). If moving is stressful, then you find your feet in a foreign country can be crazy. But it should be. Their decisions are only as good as the information you have available. If you're thinking of shipping a car from abroad or the purchase of a need to know in Costa Rica, and considerthe following.
The Basics
What kind of car you want to buy / import? These are the correct parts can be found here for maintenance and repair? Is the car suitable for the Costa Rican roads are often unpaved and full of holes, damaged during the green season? Need a vehicle with a 4x4? Only you know your individual needs. Meeting them is the next step.
Driving in Costa Rica
Obviously, this is a possibility and one that adventurous. If you are driving in the United StatesIt passes through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. It should not go into the scope of this article for details of all these border crossings, but there are a lot of information that you know, if you chose to do so. A good starting point for your search: www.costaricareisen.com / corporate / commercial parking / info_eng.htm.
The Back & Forth
Even if you are just drifting around in a fairly non-committal, it is best to find the law, rather than knowingthe hard way. To renew your visa, you must leave the country every 90 days to 3 days. This is not the same for your car - your car needs to stay out for 90 days before returning. You also need to import the original visa documents and run while driving the vehicle registered in the United States, Costa Rica (Bede, 2008). Some people think they can leave the country for 72 hours and then return the same car in another flag to get new permits. However, this isillegal. If you are caught doing so, you can have your car will be confiscated and could be jailed, deported and banned from Costa Rica for a number of years (Charles Zeller, shiptocostarica@racsa.co.cr, personal communication, December 24 2008). The car is in Costa Rica for six months are allowed before you have to pay taxes. No matter from which country the car is more than just a stamp in your passport for your car. But come January 1, 2009 in Costa RicaThe CAFTA agreement, perhaps to change this rule (Lawyer@CostaRicaLawyer.com Marielos Meléndez, personal communication, December 27, 2008).
Shipping
There are many shipping companies to choose from, so it's definitely worth checking out the options to find the best deal. You can fish around submitting quotes online on websites such as:
www.omegashipping.com / carshipping.asp
www.compare-international-movers.com
www.autocarshippers.com
www.rexcargo.com
www.jetbox.com
Thinking (the compensation must be paid in case there is a delay of loading or unloading) to take into account costs such as warehouses, port taxes, insurance, documentation, handling costs, customs controls, parking fees, delivery, etc. Each vehicle, take the ship in Costa Rica also has an EPA smog test, approved by a local consulate in the exporting country. It 'important to find out what your package includesand their costs are excellent. To read a case study of what can article citations Nicolas Ruggia "Bring the child to four wheels," Tico Times, May 23, 2008 withdrawn reading. For more information you can e-mail Charles Zeller shiptocostarica@racsa.co.cr or telephone (toll free U.S. and Canada) or 1-866-245-6923 (506) 2258-8747.
For more information and advice on how to avoid fraud shipping, see: www.autocarshippers.com / carshippingscam.aspx.
Shipping costs
The Black Book
To determine a value for the car, which is exported to present to you the invoice with the cost. If you do not have a trading account, you must specify a value. You can not try to be subtle enough to make a value to follow a leader like a customs officer - The Black (or blue) book. Unless the specified value is about 3% of what they have determined will be rejected. The guide lists prices forNew and used cars (used cars are like any machine that transports property / defines the title). Examples of Canada and U.S. relations, which can be visited www.blackbookguides.com.
Go to www.crautos.com. The page is not deterred in Spanish, though. Click on "Blue Book" at the top of the page, then click "Ingres" ("Access"). This leads to a form where you can enter data in order to obtain an estimate. The estimate is drawn from a database of used vehicles in Costa Rica
In spite of these leaders, the government of Costa Rica is often the last word about auto values, and values ​​may be higher for cars than the book (www.costarica.com / security / Cost of living / car expenses ) cited. "Costa Rica market values" are values ​​supported by the government on the sale of used vehicles in the CR applied to the second year and model of your car is, the price can be multiplied by between 0.432 to 0.502, to establish the value of imports. And that's what youExpensive things. For more information and an example of how such calculations can see www.1costaricalink.com/elresidente/oo-3-4-2001.htm high costs.
It cost calculations
You can be stung for the import of a car with the high import taxes and duties. The government of Costa Rica on taxes between 50-80% of the value of the CIF (cost of shipping + insurance +) OR 50-80% of the value of Costa Rica Tica Car Finance system (Ruggie, 2008) determined.
Factors consideredConsideration in determining the value not only buy a car, and a year value, but also the model, cubic centimeters, and each extra vehicle. The older the car, the less is taxed (old cars are something like 10 years or more defined) (www.vacationcity.com / costa-rica / information / Import-Export). With effect from 1 January 2009, regardless of the fact that he drove the car in Costa Rica and has been handed models 2007.2008 and 2009 52.9% of import value calculatedHacienda. Models 2006 and 2005 paid 63.7% and 79.03% calculated is a bit 'bigger (Charles Zeller, shiptocostarica@racsa.co.cr, personal communication, December 23, 2008).
To get a clearer idea of ​​what could be charged, visit the website of the Government "Ministerio de Hacienda" in www.hacienda.go.cr / autohacienda / autovalor.aspx. On this page you can enter data for your vehicle to come with a hefty price. Note: Sometimes government sites are obsolete and the best thingcan do is ask a professional or official. Another way to obtain an estimate of the tasks of a fax or e-mail for the Association of Residents (arcr@casacanada.net / www.arcr.net) detail where you want the car off the ship, the car brand , sending the model, serial number (VIN), features such as manual or automatic, air conditioning, electric windows and other non-standard equipment. You can also e-mail Charles Zeller (contact details under "Shipping a car") and you can use the car in collaboration with the National Researchwriting to:
2620 Barrett Road,
PO Box 758,
Gainsville, GA 30503
Tel (800) 554-1026, fax (770) 532-4792
(Www.vacationcity.com / costa-rica / information / Import-Export, Howard, 2008).
Registration and Plates
For a new car was brought into the country that should be the tax office in San Jose will be received within two days (www.costaricareisen.com / corporate / commercial parking / info_eng.htm). You can use the cards to do it from the register of morality.The cost for registration depends on the value of your car. First, the newspapers, the section vehicle registry Público or public register and are then taken by the Ministry of Public Works (Ministerio de Obras públicas y Transportes). Over time, you are using a Provisional subsides (temporary plate paper) issued by the Public Registry, which are displayed on the windshield. The document will likely vanish, so add a photocopy of the windshield and keep the original in the glovebox. You need to see the end of the paper plates while you wait for your permanent metal plates, how do you get fined (about 10000-20000 colones, or $ 20 to $ 40), when they are exhausted and no renews it. You can not renew the license of paper until the day of maturity. You must go back to the registry Público renewed and there is no fee to do so (an administrator, 2008). After the sheets are made, you have to go the registry Nacional (NationalRegistry), bring with you:
Your temporary paper plates,
Title (título de propiedad)
Yellow registration card (Tarjeta de circulación) and ...
The passport or identity card resident (cedula).
Insurance
You can hire someone to take care of all these processes for you or your dealer will do it.
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 they are on the road worthy. In Costa Rica, this is known as RTV or RITEVE. In addition to brakes, lights, turn signals, windshield wipers and controls of emissions of exhaust gases are examined. Cars must be less than 5 years are reviewed every two years, while older vehicles are tested annually. The month must go to the control depends on the last digit of your license plate number, ie 1 = January, 2 = February and so on. The numbersin 0 are controlled car inspections in October and November 05/01. Book well in advance, which is calling or visiting www.rtv.co.cr. The first time you go to Google, the site will be translated into English for you to do. From the site you can contact information like the location of the tests, you need information, advice on how to pass the exam, laws, appointments, access, costs, dates, etc. about $ 20 - $ 30/25, 000 colones. And 'possible to rent a trustTico, to take the car to check for you. As soon as you pass the test RTV will receive a certificate and a sticker on the windshield. required to pay the Marcham. For more information see the site of RTV government www.mopt.go.cr / Reglamentos.html. For more information see www.costarica.com / security / Cost of living / car expenses and Lytle (2008a).
The Marcham
The Marcham need permission to run your car each year. Contains several liabilityInsurance. The price depends on how your car. Internet prices can http://portal.ins-cr.com/General/Marchamo. All you have to do is to "Look Marcham of Water" (Ask your Marcham here) and enter 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 want to avoid headaches, not to the last. If you have outstanding parking and traffic areasFines must be paid first and you must also provide evidence to show that you passed on the RTV. If you pay you get a sticker for the windshield. If you have not paid before the new year, you risk a warning, a ticket or your car impounded. You can pay at Marcham Mopti, and online banking 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 / car expenses).
The advantages ofProperty / import a car in Costa Rica
• The vehicles retain their value in Costa Rica is much longer than in other countries. If you are in an older vehicle, and finally decide to sell it, you can still help a good price to redeem what you spend to do it here. Remember that this also means that if you buy a used car in Costa Rica, maybe a little 'Darer prices of what they used to come home (Lytle, 2008b) have.
• vehicle repair and maintenance work are usually10-15% cheaper than what you pay in the United States. Prices vary between sites and workshops, so you can look around the (www.costarica.com/Retirement/Cost-of-Living/Auto-Expenses/).
To have disadvantages / 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 between $ 4.40, $ 5.20 per liter sold, the late-2008 (www.costarica.com/Retirement/Cost-of-Living/Auto-Expenses/).
• Customs duties are notcheap. $ 17 000 in taxes (Lytle, 2008b) - For example, a car $ 20,000, depending on age, cost $ 10,000.
• Costa Rica is not all the same brands and models that are available in other countries. Maybe you want to import a particular vehicle, but if you do not expect to be able to find a skilled mechanic and the right parts for your car, you might want to think twice. (Unless parts imported car is not a problem for you).
• If your carpurchased in the U.S. (or elsewhere) the guarantee and warranty may not be valid 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 have a budget, rather than import, is usually always cheaper to buy a car in Costa Rica This can also be to your advantage, as a second-hand cars in the country may already beadapted to the circumstances, with appropriate optimization of the engine, tires, etc. If you want to buy something new, can be more expensive than they pay in foreign countries because of import taxes paid to ship it here.
Costa Rican newspapers like La Nacion, La Teja, Diario Extra, and The Tico Times (which is in English) are a good place to start surfing for local prices. Also you can visit the site and www.wheelsCR.com www.crautos.com. More than four weeks at the end of 2008,Most of the cars advertised for sale on the Tico Times are 4x4 vehicles, especially Toyota Land Cruiser. Besides Toyota, other brands are popular in Costa Rica, Nissan, Honda, Suzuki and Hyundai.
If you can not pay for your car now and want to finance it, you will need proof of income or provide a good credit record of Costa Rica If you do not have a stable income or Costa Rica for a sufficient time to establish a good credit, you could try a differentResident or citizen to work with you to sign. Failing that, you have to deal with high rates of interest (assuming you find a retailer who will finance it for you).
And 'essential that before you sign, you have the car checked by a mechanic on the right - and not the mechanic recommended by the seller. And you need to know the car can pass inspection - especially if you are involved in a private sale. After all, you do not want the hassle of hidden costs. Read more:
www.therealcostarica.com / moving_to_costa_rica / bring_buy_car.html
www.costarica.com / retirement / Cost of living / car expenses
www.livecostarica.net/?q=node/74
Auto Insurance
It is part of the liability included in Marcham, auto insurance is not required in Costa Rica As a result, many people choose to remain uninsured because the value of your car does not justify paying the fees high - if thethe boat is, so will not cause an accident or are responsible for any damages (www.costarica.com / security / Cost of living / car expenses).
The government of Costa Rica has a monopoly on insurance policies taken out in the last 84 years. Coverage is from the National Insurance Institute offices (INS) and foreign insurance companies typically sold is not valid. In October, the Tico Times listed foreign companies could cross-border insurance for shipping and air transport services of freedom (TT, 31 October, p. 15"Car insurance rates could rise to 14%"), but as with car insurance the Tico Times reported in November that they can not compete in the motor insurance market is open until 2011 (Tico Time "Agency, rejects the request on ' Car Insurance Hike "VI Garnica, 21 November, p. 3).
Meanwhile, visitors can cover the INS, provided they have a valid driving license for at least 18 years and 90 days has not yet expired. Foreign number plates only if the car is covered for damage to third partiesWhen the car is allowed into the country. If you have financed your car through a dealer, it is likely that work, a policy for you and take a sort of insurance fee in your re-payments (www.costarica.com / security / Cost of living / Cars - expenses, admin, 2008, Lytle, 2008a and 2008b).
The law
All you need is legal in Costa Rica lead the valid driving license and passport. There is a law as "Rule License Plate", which is in downtown San Jose is known. Ahelp with traffic control, every day from Monday to Friday assigned numbers are as follows: Monday, 1 and 2, Tuesday 3 and 4, Wednesday 5 and 6, seven eight Thursday and Friday 9 and 0 Each day, the last disc number is the day you have to keep your car from the road (6:00 to 7:00). If caught breaking a rule, you can get about $ 10 or 5,000 colones fine. Here you will find a map for the protected area www.livecostarica.net/?q=node/183.
Recently, the governmentcrackdown on traffic offenses, substantially increasing fines. Even if a judge reserves the right time with the prison service to the community to replace, the new law potentially send drivers to prison for up to 3 years for the other racing cars, speeding at 150 km / ph, or driving with a blood content alcohol content of 0.75 grams per liter (155 pound man could reach this level by drinking about 3-4 beers an hour). A merit system was introduced, in which drivers have 50 points first.Points will be deducted as crimes occur. If you lose all points, will lose its license for two years. The crimes and their penalties are lower (Gill, 2008) include:
What six months in a fatal accident eight years in prison
Resulting in a fatal drunken crash -15 3 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), $ 410 fine
Go150 km / h faster than 1-3 years in prison
To drive faster than 410 fines of $ 120 kmh
Driving without a license or permit $ 410 fine
The operation of a taxi pirate fined $ 410
Driving 20 km / h over the speed limit $ 310 fine
Do not wear $ 310 fine
Holding a mobile phone $ 310 fine
Ignoring traffic signals or signs $ 310 fine
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