Costa Rica certificate guide puts focus on import paperwork
VU
The updated guidance is a useful reminder for exporters of plant-origin goods to confirm sanitary and phytosanitary requirements before shipment.
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service has released its 2026 export certificate report for Costa Rica, outlining the documentation required for food and agricultural products entering the market.
The country continues to apply a certificate-based system, with requirements depending on product type, origin and sanitary or phytosanitary status.
For plant-origin goods, including fresh fruit and vegetables, Costa Rica’s National Phytosanitary Service (SFE) is the main authority, while animal-origin products are handled by SENASA. Both agencies review import documents and oversee controls at ports of entry.
The practical message for exporters is simple: paperwork needs to be checked before shipment, not corrected at the border. Costa Rican import procedures may require sanitary or phytosanitary certificates issued by the competent authority in the exporting country, while local importers are generally responsible for obtaining the necessary permits.
Read the full document here.
source: fas.usda.gov
photo: wikipedia.org
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