Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Costa Rica to the United States

Costa Rica has emerged as a vital Central American shipping partner for the United States. Its richness in rainforests and biodiversity has made it a robust player in international trade, positioning itself as a strategic partner for the US.

In fact, the US is Costa Rica’s largest trading partner. The two nations share trade agreements, including the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), to cement their partnership further and facilitate smoother trade opportunities.

In 2022, Costa Rica exported $6.7 billion worth of goods to the US. The commodities exported span various industries, including medical devices, electronics, and agricultural products.

To ship from Costa Rica to the United States, you must thoroughly understand the process. This article outlines everything you need to know, including your ocean and air freight shipping options.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Costa Rica to the United States?

You can ship goods from Costa Rica to the United States in two ways. These are ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight From Costa Rica to the United States

Ocean freight is the most commonly used shipping method because of its affordability and flexibility. With ocean freight, you can ship any type of cargo and even choose between two options for container shipping: less than container load (LCL) or full container load (FCL).

Shippers use LCL to transport small volumes of goods. Here, their goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers and shipped together in one container. That way, each shipper only has to pay for the space their cargo occupies, making it highly economical.

FCL is used for larger shipments. The shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more space, control, and security for their cargo. To maximize the cost of FCL, the cargo space must be maximized with large goods or shipping volumes.

Air Freight from Costa Rica to the United States

The other way you can transport goods from Costa Rica to the US is by air. Air freight is the fastest international shipping mode, and it can get cargo to its destination in a couple of days. It’s also the most secure, with strict airport regulations helping guarantee cargo safety.

These make air freight ideal for time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value shipments. However, it’s not without its cons. Air freight can get pretty expensive, with shipping costs significantly higher than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, unable to accommodate all types of cargo, and putting limits on the size, weight, and volume of your shipment.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Costa Rica to the United States?

When it comes to shipping costs, how much you’ll have to pay to ship cargo from Costa Rica to the US will ultimately depend on the following factors:

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

Determine your shipping costs by using our online freight costs calculator. The table below shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Costa Rica to the US:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Costa Rica to the United States?

The transit time for goods shipped from Costa Rica to the US depends mainly on your selected international shipping mode. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Costa Rica to the United States?

It takes 15-50 days to ship cargo from Costa Rica to the US by sea.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Costa Rica to the United States?

Air freight from Costa Rica to the US is much faster, taking 2-8 days.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Costa Rica and the United States

When your goods arrive in the US, they will go through the customs clearance process, which will require the following documents from you:

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

If you need to see examples of these documents, you can check out our full documents list.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, you should carefully consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you make the right decision on which shipping option to go for.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is excellent for those who value affordability and flexibility. It can accommodate any type of cargo that needs to be transported from Costa Rica to the US and even offers two container shipping options so shippers can further optimize their budgets.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is a good choice for cargo that is:

• Small in size and quantity
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value
• Not requiring special handling or movement

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL is ideal for cargo that is:

• Large in size and quantity
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value
• Requiring special handling or movement

Air Freight

If time is of the essence and you must get your cargo from Costa Rica to the US fast, air freight is your best bet. It’s the fastest international shipping mode, and it can get cargo to its destination in a matter of days. This makes it highly suitable for time-sensitive and perishable goods.

Air freight is also the most secure shipping option. As there are stricter processes and regulations in airports, air freight can guarantee the security of high-value goods throughout the shipping process.

However, remember that air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It is, however, not as flexible, unable to ship cargo of all types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Costa Rica

Port of Caldera

The Port of Caldera is Costa Rica’s premier port, and it is in charge of handling more than half of its international maritime trade. It is a major container port, boasting facilities for handling conventional cargo, solid bulk, and RORO. The port sees over 2.1 million tonnes of cargo annually.

Port of Limon

The Port of Limon is also known as the Hernon Garron Salazar Terminal. It’s Costa Rica’s largest port, positioned near the Panama Canal. The port’s major exports include fruits, such as citrus, bananas, and oranges. It handles over 9.93 million tonnes of cargo per year.

Port of Moin

The Port of Moin is a subsidiary facility of the Limon Port. It houses its own container terminal and an oil refiner and tanker jetty. Spanning 40 hectares of land area, the port has a capacity of 26,000 TEUs.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the busiest foreign tonnage handling port in the US, handling over 3.8 million TEUs and 50.3 million tonnes of cargo per year. It’s the nation’s fifth-biggest container port and the largest container facility on the US Gulf Coast.

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana handles 60% of all the grain cargo in the Midwest of the US. It’s one of the most widespread ports in the country, spanning over 54 miles in land area. Every year, the port handles over 248.1 million short tonnes.

Port of Corpus Christi

The Port of Corpus Christi’s origin dates back to 1926 when it was the US’ major terminal for crude oil and gas. Today, it handles over 200 million tonnes of cargo annually in its six terminals. The port is one of the few in the US that uses an energy conservation blueprint.

Air Freight from Costa Rica to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Costa Rica

Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport

The Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, also known as the Guanacaste Airport or the Liberia International Airport, is one of Costa Rica’s four international airports. It is located 11 kilometers west-southwest of Liberia city. The airport sees over 21,000 aircraft movements per year.

Tobias Bolanos International Airport

The Tobias Bolanos International Airport is one of the four international airports in Costa Rica. It’s the secondary airport serving the capital city of San Jose. This airport is located in downtown San Jose in the district of Pavas. It serves as a hub for Nature Air and Paradise Air.

Juan Santamaría International Airport

The Juan Santamaría International Airport serves San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica. It’s located 20 kilometers northwest of the city, particularly in the province of Alajuela. The airport is a hub for Sansa Airlines, Avianca Costa Rica, Volaris Costa Rica, and more.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Memphis International Airport

The Memphis International Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports, leading all US airports in total cargo tonnage. It contributes $23.3 billion in annual economic impact and handles over 4.2 million tonnes of cargo per year. The airport houses the FedEx World Hub, which accounts for 98% of the airport’s total cargo.

Louisville International Airport

The Louisville International Airport is one of the most popular airports in the world. It handles over 2.3 million tonnes of cargo per year. The airport is home to the UPS Worldport, a 5.2 million square foot facility that can sort up to 416,000 packages per hour.

John F. Kennedy International Airport

The John F. Kennedy International Airport is one of the world's leading international air cargo centers, contributing over $37.3 billion in annual economic activity. It has a newly constructed cargo building, which spans over 600,000 square feet. The airport handles over 1.2 million tonnes of cargo per year.

Why Ship From Costa Rica to the United States With iContainers?

Transporting cargo involves numerous factors, such as the season, shipment size, shipping method, and the origin and destination points.

With extensive experience in the industry, iContainers provides traditional freight forwarding services integrated with cutting-edge technology for your convenience. Our digital platform lets you handle your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—from your mobile device.

Feel free to contact us for a free quote at any time. We are always here to provide the information you need.