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Costa Rica

Check our destination guide for postal restrictions and requirements

Prohibitions

The following items are prohibited from importation, meaning they won't be allowed to enter the destination country, territory or region.

To check which items are considered dangerous and prohibited for sending from Australia, download our Prohibited and Restricted item list and packaging guide (1.1MB).

  • Animals and animal skins
  • Asbestos
  • Batteries
  • Bullion and Currency
  • Cash
  • Dangerous goods and artivles
  • Gambling devices
  • Ivory
  • Lottery tickets and advertising
  • Obscene or immoral goods
  • Jewellery, precious stones and metals
  • Medication:
    • Non doctor prescribed e.g. Panadol
    • Pharmacy only e.g. labelled with pharmacy and recipient name
    • Doctor prescribed e.g. asthma puffer, insulin tablets/needle, heart medications
    • Controlled/illegal e.g. Morphine, Methadone, Hemp Seed Oil, Cannabinoids
  • Pornography
  • Plants
  • Seeds
  • Weapons.

Perfume is prohibited under International Express.

Batteries

All types of batteries and devices containing them (e.g. laptops, mobile phones, wireless headphones and equivalent, power banks, tablets, etc.) are prohibited from being sent via International Express.

Import restrictions

If an item is subject to import restrictions, it means that provisions must be met before it will be released from customs in the destination country, territory or region.

We recommend you confirm import restrictions with local authorities before posting:

Senders should determine import restrictions from Costa Rica authorities before posting weapons and parts of weapons.

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Animal products
  • Blank forms
  • Booklets, brochures
  • Chemicals, non-hazardous
  • Coffee
  • Cologne and perfume
  • Compact disc
  • Cosmetics
  • Drugs, perscription and non-perscription
  • Food stuffs
  • Medical/dental supplies and equipment
  • Personal effects
  • Plants and plant products
  • Telecommunications equipment

EDN’s and export permits are required for:

  • Kangaroo skins
  • Crocodile skins
  • Emu oil
  • Fish oil
  • Bunker oil
  • Coal
  • Petroleum bases products
  • Tobacco and tobacco products
  • Any other alcohol including beer and spirits all volumes.

Okay to send? Send responsibly.

As the sender, it's your responsibility to make sure your items don't break any laws or rules – both within Australia and in the destination country.

Restrictions and conditions can change at short notice so the information on this page should be used as a guide only. For the latest information, you should check the UPU prohibitions & restrictions (PDF 3.2MB) or contact the destination country's customs, postal trade or government authority.

It's also your responsibility to check if the destination country imposes any duties, taxes, brokerage fees or any other fees on the item you're sending. If you're unsure, please contact the consulate office of the destination country.

Special documentation

In addition to our customs forms, authorities in the destination country, territory or region require further documentation for some items.

All commercial goods require an invoice in duplicate.

Used clothing requires a Certificate of Disinfection.

The sender and receiver details must be addressed with a valid street address in English. A Post Office Box address is not acceptable.

The sender is responsible for finding if the destination country may impose duties, taxes, brokerage fees or any other fees that may be applied on the item that is being sent. Please contact the consulate office of the country

you are sending to or contact the Australia Post Customer Contact Centre on 13 76 78.

Delivery locations & exclusions

Before sending to this destination, it’s worth noting a few more details about our international delivery services.

Delivery locations & exclusions data (Personal)

  • International Express (carried via the EMS network) - Parcels delivers only to Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, and San Jose
    International Express - Parcels does not deliver to a Post Office Box or Poste Restante.
  • International Express - Letters service available on a non-guaranteed basis
  • Air Mail and Sea Mail Destinations for Parcels
    The Air Mail and Sea Mail services for Parcels are available only to Golfito, Puntarenas, Limon and Paso Canoas.

For more information from the overseas carrier, check the Correos de Costa Rica website.

Make sure it's safe to send

Some items are considered dangerous and unsuitable for sending from Australia, even if they’re not prohibited by the destination country.

Download guide (PDF 1.1MB)