Home Shipping from China to Costa Rica LCL sea freight from China to Costa Rica — 2026 reference rates

LCL sea freight from China to Costa Rica — 2026 reference rates

LCL consolidation from China to Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the best-value destinations in the Americas network: every rate we hold sits below USD 25 per CBM. San José takes direct consolidations from Chongqing and Xiamen; Limón (Caribbean) and Caldera (Pacific) are fed through San José.

The standard services run on 1 CBM = 1,000 kg with a 1 CBM minimum and accept freight collect — the consignee can pay on presentation of the bill of lading.

How to read these rates: figures are indicative reference levels for port-to-port LCL ocean freight, updated for October 2026. They exclude origin haulage, warehouse and customs charges, destination port charges and any surcharges. Space, cut-off times and rates must be re-confirmed at booking.

LCL rates from China to Costa Rica

Port of departure	Port of destination	Volume range (CBM)	Rate (USD/CBM)	MIN (CBM)	Transit port	Cut-off / ETD	Carrier	Transit time (days)	Volume ratio
Chongqing	San José	0~5	23	1	Direct consolidation	Closed Wed / ETD Fri	HPL	42	1:1000
Chongqing	San José	5~15	20	1	Direct consolidation	Closed Wed / ETD Fri	HPL	42	1:1000
Tianjin	Limón	0~15	18	1	San José	Closed Wed / ETD Fri	HPL	45	1:1000
Qingdao	Caldera	0~15	19	1	San José	Closed Wed / ETD Fri	HPL	45	1:1000
Xiamen	San José	0~5	17	1	Direct consolidation	Closed Wed / ETD Fri	HPL	42	1:1000
Xiamen	San José	5~15	18	1	Direct consolidation	Closed Wed / ETD Fri	HPL	42	1:1000
Ningbo	Limón	0~15	12	1	San José	Closed Wed / ETD Fri	HPL	45	1:500
Zhongshan	Caldera	0~15	12	1	San José	Closed Wed / ETD Fri	HPL	45	1:500

Chongqing to San José — USD 23 per CBM, volume range 0~5 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Direct consolidation; carrier HPL; cut-off/ETD Closed Wed / ETD Fri; transit time about 42 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Chongqing to San José — USD 20 per CBM, volume range 5~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Direct consolidation; carrier HPL; cut-off/ETD Closed Wed / ETD Fri; transit time about 42 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Tianjin to Limón — USD 18 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via San José; carrier HPL; cut-off/ETD Closed Wed / ETD Fri; transit time about 45 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Qingdao to Caldera — USD 19 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via San José; carrier HPL; cut-off/ETD Closed Wed / ETD Fri; transit time about 45 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Xiamen to San José — USD 17 per CBM, volume range 0~5 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Direct consolidation; carrier HPL; cut-off/ETD Closed Wed / ETD Fri; transit time about 42 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Xiamen to San José — USD 18 per CBM, volume range 5~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Direct consolidation; carrier HPL; cut-off/ETD Closed Wed / ETD Fri; transit time about 42 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Ningbo to Limón — USD 12 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via San José; carrier HPL; cut-off/ETD Closed Wed / ETD Fri; transit time about 45 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 500 kg.
Zhongshan to Caldera — USD 12 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via San José; carrier HPL; cut-off/ETD Closed Wed / ETD Fri; transit time about 45 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 500 kg.

Ningbo and Zhongshan are express-warehouse services at 1 CBM = 500 kg — the same USD 12 rate therefore suits dense cargo, while light cargo may cost more in billable cubic metres than the headline suggests.

Everything except Chongqing and Xiamen tranships at San José, adding about three days to the Limón and Caldera legs.

Tiered pricing on the Chongqing service

Chongqing to San José steps from USD 23 (0–5 CBM) to USD 20 (5–15 CBM). Xiamen inverts the pattern — USD 17 up to 5 CBM, USD 18 above — so for a 6 CBM shipment Chongqing is actually cheaper than Xiamen despite the higher headline rate. Always price your actual volume.

Which destination port?

San José is the capital delivery point and the cheapest. Limón serves the Caribbean side and Caldera the Pacific; both add the San José transhipment, and rates are nearly identical (USD 12–19), so choose by consignee location rather than price.

FAQ — LCL shipping from China to Costa Rica

What is the cheapest LCL rate to Costa Rica?

USD 12 per CBM ex-Ningbo to Limón or ex-Zhongshan to Caldera — on express-warehouse terms (1 CBM = 500 kg).

Is there a direct service to San José?

Yes — Chongqing and Xiamen consolidate direct; other origins tranship at San José for Limón and Caldera.

How long does the transit take?

About 42 days direct to San José, 45 days to Limón or Caldera.

Can the consignee pay the freight?

Yes — these services accept freight collect.

What is the minimum shipment?

1 CBM across the network.