Costa Rica - Market OpportunitiesCosta Rica - Market Opportunities
Costa Rica’s proximity to the United States is a major opportunity for U.S. exporters. With ports of entry on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, U.S. exporters can typically ship product to Costa Rica in less than a week and can easily travel to meet with sales representatives, distributors or end-user clients within the same day. There are now direct flights to 15 U.S. cities from Costa Rica on major U.S. carriers.
Within Central America, Costa Rica is a very strong ally with the United States. Costa Rican citizens are very accustomed to doing business with the United States, and many U.S. products command strong brand recognition. The large American expat population and wide acceptance of the English language in the country are viewed as key advantages for U.S. firms doing business in Costa Rica.
Despite a growing Asian presence in certain markets, Costa Rican citizens value conducting business with a neighboring partner with reputation for providing quality products with strong after-sales service. Costa Rica’s per capita GDP of $12,032 is among the highest in the region, a figure on par with that of Mexico and Panama. The country’s strong middle class enjoys a high degree of purchasing power, and has an ability to choose higher value, international products. Further, under CAFTA-DR U.S. consumer products and industrial goods enter Costa Rica completely duty free.
Market prospects are excellent in a variety of sectors, including building products, construction equipment, hotel and restaurant equipment, solar energy, franchising, cosmetics, auto parts and service equipment, electric vehicles and related equipment, pharmaceuticals, packaging, education, and tourism to the United States. Within many of these sectors, U.S. firms enjoy a very strong share of the market.
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
Within Central America, Costa Rica is a very strong ally with the United States. Costa Rican citizens are very accustomed to doing business with the United States, and many U.S. products command strong brand recognition. The large American expat population and wide acceptance of the English language in the country are viewed as key advantages for U.S. firms doing business in Costa Rica.
Despite a growing Asian presence in certain markets, Costa Rican citizens value conducting business with a neighboring partner with reputation for providing quality products with strong after-sales service. Costa Rica’s per capita GDP of $12,032 is among the highest in the region, a figure on par with that of Mexico and Panama. The country’s strong middle class enjoys a high degree of purchasing power, and has an ability to choose higher value, international products. Further, under CAFTA-DR U.S. consumer products and industrial goods enter Costa Rica completely duty free.
Market prospects are excellent in a variety of sectors, including building products, construction equipment, hotel and restaurant equipment, solar energy, franchising, cosmetics, auto parts and service equipment, electric vehicles and related equipment, pharmaceuticals, packaging, education, and tourism to the United States. Within many of these sectors, U.S. firms enjoy a very strong share of the market.
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.