How long does it take?
Ocean transit commonly 3–6 days; allow 2–4 weeks door to door including customs clearance. The route covers about 1,200 ocean miles from South Florida to Puerto Limón.
Shipping a car from Miami to Costa Rica
Published estimates for shipping a car from Miami to Costa Rica ranged $1,300–$3,500 (standard sedan, RoRo or container; excludes Costa Rican import taxes), and transit is commonly 3–6 days.
Know this first: Look up your vehicle in the customs valuation system first — duties scale with age and routinely rival what the car cost.
What route does the car take?
Sailings from South Florida ports to Puerto Limón/Moín on the Caribbean coast.
When should I ship?
Year-round service. Caribbean-coast rains seldom affect sailings; expect fuller vessels ahead of the December holidays.
What will it cost?
Published third-party estimates ranged $1,300–$3,500 (standard sedan, RoRo or container; excludes Costa Rican import taxes, collected August 2026). The ocean leg is the small number. Costa Rican import taxes are assessed on the government’s valuation of your exact vehicle and scale steeply with age — commonly a large share of the car’s value. Run that math before booking anything.
What this route costs
Published estimates collected August 2026 · standard sedan, RoRo or container; excludes Costa Rican import taxes
$1,300–$3,500
$1,300–$2,600
as published by All Transport Depot
RoRo cited as most economical; ocean transit 15–25 days
$1,500–$3,500
as published by A-1 Auto Transport
typical range; a dedicated 20ft container Miami to Caldera lists at about $3,600 for the ocean leg
Costa Rica’s published import taxes — 50–79% of value depending on vehicle age — are excluded from every figure and usually dwarf the freight.
These figures are estimates published by third-party transport companies, shown here for orientation with their sources and collection date. They are not quotes from Car Shipping Miami or from providers on this marketplace, and they are not binding on anyone. Independent providers set their own pricing for your specific shipment.
Get quotes for this routeFree · no obligation · providers respond directly
Sourced data
The numbers behind this route
Every figure below names its source — the standard the whole site holds itself to.
≈52–79%
import tax range on the assessed value, scaling with vehicle age
Older cars pay the steepest tier — confirm current rates before shipping.
Source: Costa Rica Ministerio de Hacienda tax tiers
3–6 days
typical ocean transit, South Florida to Puerto Limón
Source: Ocean carrier published schedules
Miami to Costa Rica, easy as 1-2-3
Tell us the route and the vehicle
Both endpoints, the vehicle and your timing. Exports add paperwork, not mystery — it starts the same way.
RoRo or container, paperwork cleared
A provider or forwarder prices both options and files the US customs export paperwork against your title.
Sailing, customs, then the road
The car ships from a South Florida port; the importer clears destination customs and duties before it drives away.
How this route behaves
What to know about Miami to Costa Rica
Run the tax math before you fall in love with the plan
Costa Rica taxes imported vehicles on an official valuation, at rates that climb with age — older cars pay the steepest share, and the total often rivals what mainlanders pay for the car itself. For many movers the answer is still yes; it just has to be a calculated yes.
The valuation is the government’s, not your receipt
Duties are assessed on the customs valuation database figure for your exact make, model and year — not on your bill of sale. Look the vehicle up (or have the provider do it) before sailing so the landed cost is a number, not a surprise.
Standard export mechanics on the US side
Original title to CBP, export filing before the vessel leaves, quarter tank, no belongings on RoRo. Experienced Miami providers run this file weekly; your job is mostly getting the title and lien release lined up early.
Common questions
Miami to Costa Rica car shipping, answered
How long does car shipping from Miami to Costa Rica take?
Ocean transit commonly 3–6 days; allow 2–4 weeks door to door including customs clearance. The route covers about 1,200 ocean miles from South Florida to Puerto Limón.
When is the best time to ship a car from Miami to Costa Rica?
Year-round service. Caribbean-coast rains seldom affect sailings; expect fuller vessels ahead of the December holidays.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Miami to Costa Rica?
Published third-party estimates ranged $1,300–$3,500 (standard sedan, RoRo or container; excludes Costa Rican import taxes, collected August 2026). The ocean leg is the small number. Costa Rican import taxes are assessed on the government’s valuation of your exact vehicle and scale steeply with age — commonly a large share of the car’s value. Run that math before booking anything.
Why did my friend pay more in taxes than for shipping?
Because Costa Rica taxes on the official valuation at rates that climb with age — the older the car, the steeper the tier. For many movers it is still worth it; it just has to be a calculated decision, not a surprise at the port.
Is the tax based on what I paid for the car?
No — on the customs valuation database figure for your exact make, model and year. Look it up (or have the provider do it) before sailing so landed cost is a number, not a guess.
Who pays import duties and taxes?
The importer — you, or whoever receives the car — pays the destination country’s duties, taxes and clearance fees on arrival. Published freight figures exclude them, and on many routes they rival or exceed the freight itself, so get the destination’s current rates before committing.
What paperwork does a vehicle export need?
US customs requires the original title and an export filing, with the documentation presented ahead of the sailing. The destination country adds its own import forms. A provider or freight forwarder handles the filings; your job is supplying the documents early.
Should I ship RoRo or in a container?
Roll-on/roll-off is usually the economical choice for a running car — it drives on and off the vessel. A container costs more and suits high-value cars, non-runners, or destinations where RoRo service is thin. Providers can price both for comparison.
Can I ship a financed car overseas?
Only with the lien holder’s written authorization — US customs will not clear a vehicle for export without the title or the lender’s permission. If the car has a loan on it, start that conversation with the lender first; it is the slowest document to obtain.
Open transportThe standard way most cars move.Enclosed transportCovered trailers for cars that warrant it.
Other routes people ship from Miami
Distances and transit ranges describe how these routes typically behave. They are not quotes, and they are not a commitment by Car Shipping Miami or any provider. Import duties, taxes and vehicle-eligibility rules are set by governments and change — confirm current requirements before booking any ocean or international shipment. The provider you speak with gives the estimate that applies to your shipment.
Car Shipping Miami is a marketplace and advertising platform. Car Shipping Miami does not transport vehicles or provide transportation services. Transportation quotes and services are offered by independent providers. Review provider information and terms before choosing a service. How this marketplace works
Ready to find a provider for Miami to Costa Rica?
Share the route, the vehicle and your timing. You’ll see who may contact you before you submit anything.
Get your quoteCar Shipping Miami is a marketplace. Independent providers quote and perform the transport.