Container Shipping to Costa Rica — Get Instant Quotes
Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to Costa Rica
- Reserve space before the rush. APM Terminals Moín has already moved 6 million + containers since opening, and vessel calls tripled between 2018-2023—capacity fills fast. (apmterminals.com)
- Sail through customs paperwork. Our platform walks you through Costa Rica’s TICA e-customs declarations and the phytosanitary permits exporters need for agri-products such as coffee and pineapples (hacienda.go.cr, procomer.go.cr).
- FCL, LCL & combo options on every lane. Weekly departures link the Americas, Europe, and Asia to Puerto Limón/Moín, with milestone-level tracking and bilingual support.
- Need it faster? Add an air-freight leg via Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)—handling ≈ 2 million tonne-kilometres of cargo each year. (worlddata.info)
Our Container Shipping Services to Costa Rica
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping
High-volume shippers—think fresh fruit exporters and medical-device makers—book 40' HC boxes straight into the Port of Moín (CRMOI) yard slots for uninterrupted cold-chain or dry-cargo handling.
Less than Container Load (LCL) Shipping
SMEs and e-commerce brands slash costs by up to 50 % on loads under 15 m³ with our weekly LCL consolidations out of Miami, Cartagena, Valencia, and Shanghai.
| Key Service Facts | |
|---|---|
| Popular mode | FCL dominates banana & pineapple exports; LCL is growing for Amazon-style D2C restocks |
| Major port / airport served | Puerto Limón & Moín; urgent freight via SJO International Airport |
| Typical cargo | Coffee, bananas, pineapples, medical devices, automotive spares, electronics |
| Transit-time references | • Miami → Moín: ≈ 3–6 days (fastest U.S. route) • New York → Limón: 20–25 days • Shanghai → Moín: 25–35 days |
| Country-specific challenge | Peak-season congestion can see > 20 container ships waiting off Moín—book early and monitor cut-off times. ceicdata.com |
| Alternative option | Door-to-door air freight trims total transit to 1–3 days via SJO for high-value or time-critical cargo |
Container shipping rates to Costa Rica
How much does it cost to ship a container to Costa Rica?
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to Costa Rica?
- US Gulf / Caribbean → Limón: ≈ 3–8 days direct
- North Europe → Limón: 18–30 days depending on trans-Atlantic loop
- East Asia → Moín: 25–35 days (direct/one-stop services)
- Air freight: door-to-door in 1–3 days via SJO
Popular Routes and Ports for Shipping to Costa Rica
Weekly loops such as ANP, WCCA, and PEX 2 connect Puerto Moín with Miami, New York, Cartagena, Shanghai, and Valencia. Inland, feeder trucking reaches San José’s free-trade zones within 4 hours of discharge.
Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers
- Get an instant quote online.
- Upload commercial invoice & packing list (plus phytosanitary or fumigation certs if needed).
- Confirm booking and pay securely.
- Track every milestone in real time.
- Clear TICA customs—DIY or via our broker network.
- Arrange final-mile trucking to your warehouse, store, or Amazon FBA location.
What Can You Ship in a Container to Costa Rica?
Common Commodities
- Coffee
- Bananas & pineapples
- Medical devices
- Apparel
- Auto parts
- Electronics
Restricted or Prohibited Goods
Firearms, wildlife products, counterfeit brands, untreated wooden packaging without ISPM-15 proof.
FAQs About Shipping Containers to Costa Rica
Use our instant quote tool—rates include ocean freight, fuel surcharges, and Costa Rican terminal fees. (icontainers.com)
For < 15 m³, LCL consolidation is usually the most cost-effective option.
Not compulsory, but highly recommended; add door-to-door coverage at checkout.
Secure space 6–8 weeks before the September–November produce surge to avoid roll-overs and GRI surcharges.