Shopping internationally on Amazon can be a bit tricky. But if you’re and expat in Costa Rica, traveling, or a digital nomad, hopping online to check out the big store can help you find cool stuff you wouldn’t get back home.
If you’ve been trying to shop on Amazon but keep getting stuck when it comes to shipping, you may be wondering if Amazon ships to Costa Rica.
Amazon ships to many international regions, including Costa Rica. However, most international customers find it challenging to shop on Amazon because they often use the Amazon U.S. site instead of the Amazon international page.
Amazon relies on Amazon Global for international shipping, covering over 100 countries, including Costa Rica. Keep in mind that the products you can ship internationally and the shipping costs may differ based on the specific country and the items you’re ordering.
In short: Does Costa Rica have Amazon? No. But, is amazon available in Costa Rica? Yes, indeed.
This is how.
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Does Amazon Ship To Costa Rica In 2024?
The quick answer is yes, Amazon does ship to Costa Rica in 2024, but reality is more complicated (see below).
Unfortunately there is no “FREE Shipping to Costa Rica” items available. Fees for items shipped to Costa Rica vary, and you may need to pay more for heavier items and multiple items placed in one order.
How To Shop on Amazon.com in Costa Rica
If you live in Costa Rica, you’ve probably experienced a few shipping issues when shopping on Amazon.
The most common issue faced by most customers is the “Currently unavailable” or the dreaded “this item cannot be shipped to your selected delivery location.”
So how do you bypass this problem and get your items easily shipped to Costa Rica? Here are your options for Amazon Costa Rica shipping.
Method #1: Amazon Costa Rica Site
If you haven’t already shopped via Amazon’s international shopping page, then this is the likely reason why it’s been so challenging to ship to Costa Rica. Opt to use Amazon’s international shopping page to avoid notifications that say items cannot be shipped to your address.
amazon Global – Key Points
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🚀 Speed
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🙌 Success Rate
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🤑 Savings
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Here’s how to see products on Amazon that ship to Costa Rica.
1. Go to the Amazon international page (link). To only see items that ship directly to Costa Rica, only shop using this page.
When you are at your new Amazon homepage press Ctrl + D (Windows) or Command ⌘ + D (Mac) to save it to your browser, so you can find it easier later.
When you are at your new Amazon homepage tap the three dots -> Add to Home Screen, so you can find it easier later.
2. Add your Costa Rica address. First go to “your account” and scroll down until you find your amazon delivery addresses.
From there add your international address details. Before you save it don’t forget to tick the “Make this my default address” box.
3. Set up one-click access. Once you open Amazon’s international shopping page, you’ll need to set up your one-click address to start shopping. Once this is set up, Amazon will know to ship all your items to Costa Rica.
To enable this feature go to the one-click settings page and allow one-click settings for your browser. Make sure your default address is correct as well before you start shopping.
When you are at your new Amazon homepage tap the three dots -> Add to Home Screen, so you can find it easier later.
You don’t actually have to use the one-click ordering feature, but having it enabled will allow you to see only items shipped in Costa Rica.
How Much Does Amazon Global Shipping To Costa Rica Cost?
Amazon international shipping to Costa Rica starts at $9.99 for standard shipping. Priority courier shipping is also available, with rates starting at $18.99 or more. Shipping fees are calculated during checkout and are based on the type of item, weight, volume, and the number of items ordered.
How Long Does Amazon Global International Shipping To Costa Rica Take?
According to Amazon’s global shipping times, international shipping to Costa Rica ranges from 8 to 20 days, depending on the chosen shipping option.
Do Customs And Import Fees Apply When Receiving An Amazon Shipment In Costa Rica?
When living in Costa Rica and ordering from Amazon, there may be additional fees that you need to pay to receive your order. These fees are import taxes and customs duties. Import fees vary depending on the import regulations in your country.
Amazon usually takes an import fee deposit which is used to cover the cost of these additional fees.
Pros And Cons Of Using Amazon International Page
Pros
Easy for international customers to shop online with the Amazon Global page
Straightforward ordering process and international shipping are taken care of through Amazon Global
No need to use third-party couriers
No need to use forwarding services for Amazon deliveries
Cons
Not all items are available for international delivery
Additional fees like import tax and customs duties can be expensive.
Shipping can take a while, so it’s not ideal if you urgently need a product from Amazon
Method #2: Shipping To Costa Rica From USA With A Package Forwarder
But.. I can’t find my favorite [insert item].
Fortunately, there’s a solution: package forwarding. Continue reading to find out how to use a package forwarder to ship to Costa Rica from us amazon or any other online store.
Maybe the items you want to buy are not available for shipping in Costa Rica, for example Amazon’s Kindle. Or you’re shopping from another retailer online that doesn’t offer shipping from US to Costa Rica.
package forwarder – Key Points
😊 Ease of Use
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🚀 Speed
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🙌 Success Rate
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🤑 Savings
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The second shipping method you can use to ship items bought from Amazon or any online retailer to Costa Rica, is through a package forwarding service. Using a forwarding service for amazon to Costa Rica shipping can take anywhere from 3 days to 25 business days.
How to ship to Costa Rica from USA
To use a package forwarder to deliver your Amazon package, follow the below steps:
Step 1: Choose A Package Forwarder
There are many package forwarder services for shipping packages to Costa Rica, but some can be unreliable and very expensive. Finding a package forwarder that has industry experience, delivers quickly, has excellent customer service, and can offer competitive rates can be challenging.
I have tried many package forwarding companies, and I highly recommend Planet Express.
Step 2: Ship Your Order
As soon as you’ve chosen your package forwarding service provider, you’ll receive a mailing address that will be used instead of your home address when shopping on Amazon. In this case you will use the standard Amazon.com page.
Step 3: Forward Your Package
Once your Amazon package arrives at the U.S.-based address, the forwarding service provider will let you know your parcel has arrived and send you different shipping options.
Usually you have at least 3-4 different shipping options. The cheapest way to ship to Costa Rica will take longer to arrive, but, if you choose express delivery with FedEx or DHL, you will get your package in Costa Rica sooner.
There’s also the option to use insurance, although in most cases I don’t use it. The most expensive shipping methods usually have insurance included. In the end you should decide for yourself, considering how valuable your package is.
Shipping costs can vary a lot, depending on how big or heavy is what you buy. Check this handy calculator, so you know your costs in advance.
Once you select your preferences, your package will be shipped to Costa Rica and delivered to your door.
A package forwarder is not a perfect solution but it’s the best way to ship to Costa Rica.
You can use method #2 for sending sending packages to Costa Rica from amazon or send a package to Costa Rica from online stores that don’t ship there, or even send gifts to Costa Rica to your relatives!
Interestingly, the significance of third-party logistics (3PL) in Costa Rica is highlighted by recent market trends. According to Statista, the 3PL sector in Costa Rica is projected to grow to US$0.76 billion by 2028. This notable growth reflects an increased reliance on third-party logistics for handling complex shipping needs in the eCommerce market.
Pros And Cons Of Using A Package Forwarder To Send A Package To Costa Rica
Pros
Allows you to purchase any products from Amazon
Useful service for shipping packages to Costa Rica, or shop from online stores that don’t ship to Costa Rica at all
Take advantage of sales tax free warehouses
Full tracking of your parcel from collection to delivery
Free photos of packages as they arrive
You can consolidate multiple orders to save on shipping costs
Cons
You won’t be able to return the products purchased
Amazon doesn’t take any responsibility for your package when you use a forwarding service
It can be more expensive compared to Amazon Global
Shipping can take a while, depending the shipping option you choose
FAQs About Amazon Shipping To Costa Rica
Now that we’ve covered how to get products shipped from Amazon to Costa Rica, you may also have other questions regarding international shopping on Amazon. This frequently asked questions section aims to help answer these questions.
Is There An Amazon Costa Rica Website?
There is no official website for amazon in Costa Rica, but those residing there can use the Amazon International Page to shop.
What Countries Does Amazon Not Ship To?
Amazon does not ship to Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Sudan, and Syria. In addition, other locations do not allow Amazon packages to enter the country and have strict package regulations. These locations can be found on Amazon’s shipping restrictions page.
In Which Countries Is Amazon Available?
Amazon ships to many countries and regions across the globe. Some of the places that Amazon ships to include Africa and the Middle East, Australia, Asia, the Pacific, Europe, and the Americas. To determine if your location is eligible for Amazon Global delivery, you can look at Amazon’s international shipping page.
What Amazon Items Can You Ship To Costa Rica?
Amazon may have country-specific shipping restrictions on items that can be shipped to Costa Rica. However, most of the items on Amazon can be shipped, provided it meets the requirements for Amazon Global shipping.
Only expensive products, aerosols, beauty products, batteries, flammable items, fuel, sunscreens, alcohol-based products, air fresheners, and a few others cannot be shipped to Costa Rica.
Does Amazon Offer Customer Service In Costa Rica?
Amazon offers customer service to customers all over the world, including Costa Rica. Amazon currently has a customer service center in San Jose and Heredia that provides 24/7 customer support in English and Spanish.
Can I Buy Amazon Gift Cards From Costa Rica?
Amazon gift cards can be purchased through Amazon’s international shopping page if you live in Costa Rica. Once purchased, it can be loaded onto your Amazon account, and the balance can be used towards purchases on Amazon. It works the same as buying gift cards from Amazon if you are based in the United States.
How Can I Pay For My Amazon Order From Costa Rica?
Amazon accepts credit and debit cards. The credit cards which you can use to pay for your Amazon order include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and Diners Club. In some countries on, Visa and Mastercard will be accepted.
Does Amazon Prime Work In Costa Rica?
Amazon Prime offers customers free shipping and streaming services, among other benefits. If you reside in Costa Rica, you’ll have access to Amazon Prime streaming but cannot use Prime shipping.
Does Amazon Offer Free Shipping To Costa Rica?
Unfortunately, Amazon Prime shipping is limited to U.S. customers. Free shipping options for international customers are limited to certain products and order minimums apply.
Are There Amazon Promo Codes In Costa Rica?
It is unlikely that you’ll find any Amazon promo codes in Costa Rica. Most promo codes that are online are clickbait and never work. If there are promo codes for Amazon, this is probably in coupon form and will only apply to those living in the U.S.
Conclusion
Amazon’s global shipping options allow products to be shipped to Costa Rica. When shopping on Amazon, you should use the Amazon International Shopping page for the best shopping experience. If you’re looking for a product that won’t ship to Costa Rica, you could always use a package forwarding service to ship your Amazon products to Costa Rica.