www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I had some items sent to my Mail Boxes Etc address. Well CR customs found a "list" price off a magazine in the box and charged me 100% tax on the list price. If they had looked at what I actually paid it was only 38 % of "list". This was a $200 dollar mistake ! Lesson learned. Be careful of invoices in boxes sent to CR. I later carried the same items with me back from the US at the airport with Zero taxes. Have any of you ever been charged taxes for anything at the airport ? Should we have section for the issues that arise for people that live here ?

Well, we can all just hope that the CR people pass the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Last trip, saw a poll and it was like 51% for it and 43% against with rest undecided. I believe the actual election is coming up soon...perhaps November??
Until then, the customs are notorious for 'requesting' or 'demanding' significant tarriffs, justified or not. Just another thing for the muy tico list.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

I do not know anyone, or heard of anyone, who was charged taxes and duty at the airport. As you most likely know there is a process called "exoneration" where you are allowed to bring in up to $500.00 worth of goods, without paying any customs duty, once every six months. I do know people who have had a stamp placed in their passport showing that they had used their exoneration when they brought a relatively large amount of items with them.



The election is scheduled for Sunday October 7. The "ley de Seca" will not be in effect so the bars will be open that should make for some very "interesting" discussion between individuals with opposing points of view on the treaty

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Yes, I have traveled back and forth 20+ times and the last time I had 3 suitcases and they were very curious about what an item on the Xray was. When, I told them Roller Blades , One guy said, "oooh ok, " but the other guy asked me the total value of everything I had and stamped my passport as such. I think it was the extra suitcase that prompted the curiosity. Or maybe because I had a cat as well ?