Search the Internet to get free shipping quotes from an international freight or car transport broker, such as auto-shipping.net or internationalcarshipping.net. A broker will save you a lot of time, as shipping companies are sometimes hard to find. Get several quotes and compare prices. Ask for the total before booking. Additional costs may be charged otherwise.
Check a shipping company's license, insurance record and complaint history by calling the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at (888) 368-7238.
Decide if you want to transport your car to Costa Rica by land, air or sea. Most cars are transported to Costa Rica by ship to one of three main ports: San Jose, Puerto Limon or Puerto Caldera. Choose whether to transport your car in a container, or rolled on and off the ship (typically on a car deck). Make sure you know the port where your car will be delivered.
Work with your broker to decide how you want to clear your car through customs in Costa Rica, either by yourself or with the assistance of a customs broker. Be prepared to speak fluent Spanish--or have someone with you who does--because it's necessary if you want to clear customs yourself. The customs process should take only one day.
Prepare your car for shipping. Leave only about 1/8-tank of gas, and remove the license plates. Keep an extra set of keys, and get rid of any items in your car. Clean your car inside and out so that it can be inspected when it's picked up. Disable any alarms, and take antennas off that aren't retractable. Charge the battery, inflate the tires and check fluids. Tell the shipping company if your car is leaking, if it's not driveable or if it's really large.
Present your original vehicle title and registration documents to the shipping company. Pay import tax, import duty, sales tax, consumption tax and other related taxes, based on the year, make, model and value of your shipped car. Make a deposit or pay in full before the car is shipped depending on the requirements of the shipping company you choose.
Receive delivery of your car in Costa Rica and clear it through customs. Pay a tax (normally around $90) to drive it for three months, and get your permit papers. Keep these papers in your car at all times. Refrain from letting a Costa Rican native drive your car, as it's against the law.
