Moving to Costa Rica from the USA
International Moving Services to Costa Rica
You’ve made the decision. Costa Rica — the climate, the pace, the cost of living, the community of people who’ve made the same leap. What you don’t want is for the move itself to unravel the excitement. Boxes that don’t arrive. Customs delays nobody warned you about. A shipping company that stops returning calls once your container is on the water.
That’s the problem most people run into when they try to piece together an international move on their own. SDC International Shipping exists to take that off your plate entirely, from the day we pack your home to the day your furniture is placed in your new one.
You Shouldn’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
Moving to Costa Rica involves ocean freight, two sets of customs regulations, port selection, inland delivery across roads that can range from four-lane highway to unpaved mountain track, and a documentation process that varies depending on what you’re shipping and how you’re entering the country. Most people moving abroad do this once. Our coordinators do it every week.
From your first call, you’ll have one person who knows your move, your inventory, your timeline, and your destination address. You won’t be passed between departments or left guessing. You’ll know what happens next at every stage.
Moving a Happy Customer to Their New Home in Costa Rica (video)
Here’s How Your Move Works
We come to you. Our export packing crew arrives at your home, wraps and cartons every item using multilayer padding and double-wall boxes, builds a detailed numbered inventory, and loads your container. You don’t deliver anything to a warehouse. We handle it at your door.
Your shipment travels by ocean freight. Most Costa Rica moves ship in a 20-foot or 40-foot container through the Port of New York and New Jersey or another nearby gateway, depending on your location. Many retirees moving a full household choose a 40-foot high-cube, which can also accommodate a vehicle alongside household goods. For timing-sensitive items, air freight is available for a smaller priority shipment while the main container travels by sea. You can also review typical container shipping costs to plan your budget.
We manage customs on both ends. Your shipment arrives at Puerto Limón/Moín on the Caribbean coast or Puerto Caldera on the Pacific, depending on your final address and available sailings. Our local partner handles customs clearance using the documentation we prepared before departure. You won’t be scrambling for paperwork at the port.
We deliver to your home in Costa Rica. After clearance, we arrange line-haul to your city and residence delivery. Costa Rica’s roads vary considerably, from Escazú to a hillside property in the Southern Zone, and we plan truck size, crew, and access logistics in advance. If unpacking and placement are useful, we offer that too.
What We Deliver to Every Corner of Costa Rica
We serve the full country. In the Central Valley: San José, Escazú, Santa Ana, Heredia, Alajuela, Atenas, Grecia, and Cartago. On the Pacific coast: Guanacaste, the Nicoya Peninsula (Tamarindo, Nosara, Flamingo, Playas del Coco), the Central Pacific corridor (Jacó, Herradura, Manuel Antonio/Quepos), and the Southern Zone. On the Caribbean side: Limón and surrounding communities. If your address is remote, we’ll find the right route to reach you.
Shipping Your Car to Costa Rica
Many retirees ship a vehicle alongside their household goods, and a 40-foot high-cube container makes that straightforward. Your car, SUV, or truck travels in the same container as your furniture, which simplifies customs and reduces total cost compared to shipping separately. We photograph and inventory the vehicle before loading, secure it with wheel chocks and straps, and isolate it from household items. Your coordinator will walk you through the documentation and any registration requirements at destination. You can learn more about international vehicle shipping on our dedicated page.
Protecting What You’ve Spent a Lifetime Collecting
For most retirees, what’s going into that container isn’t just furniture. It’s decades of accumulated belongings, artwork, family pieces, things that can’t be replaced. Our packing standards reflect that. Export-grade padding on all furniture. Custom crating for art, glass, and fragile items. Electronics cushioned and double-boxed. Mattresses bagged and protected. Every item numbered and inventoried with photos before the container is sealed.
We also recommend international moving insurance for every shipment. Carrier liability is limited by weight, not value. A proper policy covers replacement cost and makes any claim process straightforward. Your coordinator will explain the options.
If Your Timeline Has Some Flexibility
Many people moving to Costa Rica are selling a home in the U.S. at the same time they’re looking for one in Costa Rica. The timing doesn’t always line up. SDC offers secure storage before export, after arrival at destination, or both. Tell us your target move-in window and we’ll build the logistics around it.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Pack
Keep original personal documents, passports, jewelry, and irreplaceable items in your carry-on luggage. They should never go in the container. Some categories of goods require import permits in Costa Rica or are restricted outright, including certain weapons, live plants, and some food items. If you have anything unusual, such as a special collection, professional equipment, or high-value pieces, tell your coordinator early so we can advise on the right approach before packing day.
SDC does not move pets. We can point you toward specialist pet relocation services if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my shipment take to reach Costa Rica? Ocean transit from the U.S. East Coast is typically 3 to 5 weeks. Door-to-door, including packing, port processing, and customs clearance at destination, generally runs 6 to 10 weeks. Your coordinator will give you a realistic window tied to your actual sailing schedule.
Which port will my container arrive at? Most East Coast shipments arrive at Puerto Limón/Moín. Puerto Caldera on the Pacific side is used when it better serves your final delivery address. We select the gateway that makes the most sense for your move.
Can I ship my car in the same container as my household goods? Yes, and it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to handle a vehicle. A 40-foot high-cube container accommodates both in a single shipment for most households.
Do I need to be in Costa Rica for customs clearance? In most cases our local partner handles clearance on your behalf using documentation prepared before departure. Your coordinator will let you know if anything requires your direct involvement.
How far in advance should I contact SDC? For a full household ocean freight move, 6 to 8 weeks before your target departure gives us enough time for a home survey, packing scheduling, and container booking. Earlier is always better, particularly if your move involves a vehicle or storage on either end.
What Our Customers Say
“I am delighted with the whole process. Customer service and the crew that came to pack and load our things did a great job. I’ll keep SDC on my list of best international movers and recommend them to others.”
“We used SDC when moving our things to Costa Rica. Our personal manager was great, and the team on site was wonderful. When the time comes to return to the USA, I will hire this company again.”
