Overview of the different labeling and marking requirements, including any restrictive advertising or labeling practices and where to get more information.
Last Published: 10/28/2019

There are no general requirements in Costa Rica for marking the origin of general merchandise. However, Costa Rican food labeling regulations incorporate the Codex Alimentarius standards and require that all domestic and imported food products contain labeling in Spanish with the following specifications: product name, list of ingredients in quantitative order, nutritional content, name and address of importer, expiration or best-used-by date, country of origin, and metric weight. Expiration dates or best-used-by date are also required to be on all food product labels.

Special labeling requirements apply to pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, veterinary preparations, vaccines, poisonous substances, and mouthwashes. Sanitary and phytosanitary certificates are required for importing bulk grain and horticultural products. Zoosanitary (USDA/FSIS) certificates are required for importing fresh and frozen meats. Most processed food products (canned, boxed, pre-cooked) do not require phytosanitary or zoosanitary certificates. Exporters should check with their importers, who are ultimately responsible for complying with local regulations. In the case of dietary supplements, the label should comply with the requirements of food supplements regarding the information of vitamins and minerals.
 

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.