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Are you wondering how to get mail and packages to Costa Rica once you’ve moved here? We don’t get as much mail as we did a few years ago. Who writes letters and mails them anymore? Even my 92-year-old mom is on email.
Getting your mail forwarded to your new Costa Rican address is really one of those tasks you should take care of before you move here. Getting mail and packages from the U.S. to Costa Rica can be done in a few different ways, depending on how fast you need it, how much you’re willing to spend, and how important tracking and reliability are.
When you buy a house from us, you should note that we don’t have street addresses in Costa Rica, so ask for your Tico address. Getting a mailing address is another story. So getting your mail might not be as easy as you think. If you organize it just before the move, you might not get mail for a while. In my opinion, you’d better get mail forwarding started well in advance of your move to Costa Rica, so you can test drive it.
Junk mail
We all get junk mail, and it is tough to get rid of it. The best way is by moving to Costa Rica! Make a list of the mail that IS important to you, like your Social Security checks and tax mail. There is probably a lot of mail that was important to you when living somewhere else. Maybe now, it’s all junk mail to you. Concentrate on what will matter when you live in Costa Rica.
Mailforwarding
You can have all mail forwarded to a family member or friend in your home country. It’s a great way to get rid of all unwanted mail before sending it to Costa Rica.
Mail and Packages
See here what’s a clear breakdown of your main options:
1. USPS → Correos de Costa Rica (Public Postal System)
How it works: Send via the U.S. Postal Service; once it arrives in Costa Rica, Correos de Costa Rica takes over delivery.
Best for: Letters, documents, and low-value items.
Pros: Cheapest option.
Cons: Slow (2–6+ weeks), tracking is limited after it leaves the U.S., and customs delays are common. The mailman does not deliver house to house in many locations. Best to have it sent to the local post office and pick it up there, or ask for a P.O. box (apartado postal)
Tips:
- Use Priority Mail International for faster service (7–14 days).
- Always include a detailed customs declaration form.
- For important papers, use Registered Mail.
2. Private Couriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL)
How it works: One company handles the shipment door-to-door.
Best for: Time-sensitive or valuable packages.
Pros: Fast (2–5 days), full tracking, more reliable.
Cons: Expensive; customs taxes may still apply.
Tips:
- Clearly declare contents and value to avoid customs problems.
- Consider having packages delivered to a courier office for faster pickup.
3. Freight Forwarders & Mailbox Services (Most Popular for Expats)
- Aeropost
- JetBox
- Mail Boxes Etc.
- Box Correos (Correos de Costa Rica’s forwarding service) and EMS
- TransExpress
- Carga Tica
How it works: You sign up for a service and get a personal U.S. mailing address (usually in Miami).
Mail/packages go to that U.S. address.
The company forwards them to Costa Rica, clears customs, and delivers to your local branch or home.
Best for: Online shopping, Amazon orders, personal mail, and small packages.
Pros: Faster than postal mail (often 3–7 days after arriving in Miami), reliable tracking, and handles customs paperwork for you.
Cons: Fees per shipment or monthly; charged by weight/volume; still subject to import taxes.
Be aware: Amazon ships some items to Costa Rica, but not everything. Many private mail handlers who say they will deliver. Check with other people in your area for recommendations.
Tips:
- Choose a service with offices near your home.
- Check their policy for documents (often cheaper to forward).
4. Friends or Travelers
How it works: Someone hand-carries items in luggage.
Best for: Important documents, medications, and personal items.
Pros: Safe, no customs hassle for small personal items.
Cons: Only works if someone is traveling soon.
Customs in Costa Rica (Aduanas) – What to Expect
Packages over $500 in value usually pay import tax (13–50% depending on the category).
Medications, books, and personal documents are often exempt.
Some forwarding companies pre-pay and charge you with your invoice; others require you to pay customs before delivery.
If you’re living here full-time, most expats rely on a Miami forwarding address (like Aeropost or Box Correos) for both mail and packages — USPS and courier shipments direct to Costa Rica are mainly used for special situations.
Import tax
Be aware that most imported products pay import tax. When you purchase articles online and use a mailbox service, most will handle the duties and taxes for you, but check before you order.
Christmas holidays
If you have to get mail during the Christmas holidays, when sent through Correos de Costa Rica might not arrive until January.
I might have skipped a few services in this article, as some come and go. Check on Google for more options if you’re not satisfied with the mentioned mail solutions.
This article is a free service by GoDutch Realty. We appreciate any Costa Rica real estate referrals you can give us. Contact us now to buy property in the Central Valley of Costa Rica.
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