I've got friends with a rustic place near Corcovado National Park needing some cabinet work. I could probably just go down for a vacation, or stay longer if I did some work while I'm there.
They had hired a contractor who got money on the front end, but did nothing for them, plus took what tools they had there, and used their place as a staging area while working on other projects.
I'm thinking I can crate up a minimum assortment of my own tools that I ship down, and wonder how much that might cost.
This would also be a fun photo safari for me, since this NP is 2nd in the WORLD for biodiversity, and probably could become an annual excursion.
Make sure you indicate on your customs declaration that your tools are temporary imports (to Costa Rica) under HTS 9801.00.85 which covers: Professional books, implements, instruments & tools of trade, occupation or employment returned US by person after use temporarily abroad. The duty in the US is free and I expect it is also free in CR. If, upon looking up the import duties in CR, you determine that you would have to pay import duties, look into purchasing a carnet that would allow for temporary importation with the suspension of all import duties. You will pay if you end up leaving the tools behind however.
This only applies if you bring a lot of tools as a a few hand tools in a case can probably be claimed as personal items, i.e. not declared.
BTW, legal advice from the internet is probably worth less that what you would pay to import your tools to CR.
Hey that's just down the road from a restaurant where a chef friend of mine just came in as a partner. Stop in if you get an chance and if chef Dave is in tell him Ryan from Oregon sent you.
Far as I know, there are only two ports of (airline) entry in Costa Rica, one in San Jose and the other in Liberia, both many hours from the Osa peninsula. (Might be an airport in Limon, but not an international one?) Also, there are only a couple roads into that area. So the logistics and cost of having tools delivered to somewhere on the Osa Peninsula could be a problem. Your best bet might be to try to rent what you need in San Jose and rent a vehicle to drive down to Osa. If you can, get there early enough to take some time to check out some of the sights along the southern coast, e.g. Jaco, Manuel Antonio (best beach in C.R.), Domenical, Uvita, Ojochal, etc., on the way.
Ocean swimming is fine in Manuel Antonio National Park and around Jaco, but it can be cold and rough in other places. You also need to beware of large crocodiles, both fresh and salt water varieties, too. And, sad to say, there is a lot of petty (and not so petty) crime down there, so never leave anything unattended, not even for a minute. Corcovado Park is a popular destination for hikers and should be safe, although really remote. The amazing variety of birds and monkeys and sloths will make it worth the effort.
Good luck, and be sure to send us some pictures of your great adventure.
No info on Costa Rica, but even Canada used to charge full duty on tools you brought in from outside. It only happened once, I have no idea how they determined that you were not coming back with different tools. As far as the thinking on that goes, when you come in you are taking the work from a local who did have to pay import duty on tools he uses in his business, unless the country in question makes all it's own tools, which really doesn't change anything.
Many is the time I have traveled through the US from one point in Canada to another, and they never gave me any trouble about a truckload of tools. But come in through an airport and it is a different mater.
Keith, a good friend flys to Costa Rica all the time to buy wood for his business. If you would like, call or email me for his phone and I will tell you how to reach him. He lives nearby. Phil
