www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I have made 50+ trips and only received 3 stamps. But this time I slipped up and had a Numark music mixer in the original box so that caught their attention. They are looking for new electronic items in the original boxes. So unwrap everything and unwind cables and cords and put one in each separate bag.

I also had a brand new unpack-aged computer in a carry on bag that went unnoticed. I had dusted it with baby powder so it didn't look new.

The main thing is to make every thing look used and unorganized with no stickers or labels.

They just stamped my passport so its no big deal but now I got to be really careful not to bring any 'new' stuff for 6 months.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Is the exemption still $500? I was asked a few questions about the value of my duty free purchases when I returned to CR from Panama in Sixaola.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone ever made the trip to the Golfito Free Zone and if so, was it worth it?

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“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

No direct knowledge but evidently there's a thriving secondary market in unused credits so if you want more than the usual exemption, you can doubtless find someone with extra credits to sell and vice versa.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Remember that you can get the tax exemption for any amount ($10, $200, $450) and it is a one time exemption. In other words, you get one stamp and brought in $40, this does not entitle you to bring in $460 more in the next 6 months.

The only time you get a stamp is if you go over $500 (according to their valuation). You could keep coming in with $499 every week and as long as you don't go over $500, you can keep doing this indefinitely if you wanted to. It's not $500 total per 6 months, nobody keeps track of the sum. Just don't get red flagged and you'll be fine. See original poster for ideas on how to avoid it.

Nothing can look "new" on the Xray. Leave all boxes behind. Stuff the manuals in a back compartment of a different suitcase.

If they ask , "Is this NEW," you say NO.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.