Cars between 0-6 years old will incur a 30% selective excise tax with a tax burden of 53%, and those over 6 years old will incur a tax of 48% and have a tax burden of 73%.
From a press release from the Ministry of Finance in Costa Rica:
The Ministry of Finance reported today that after reviewing the effects of the update of the value of the vehicles that has been in force since December 2012, the implementation of the new Law on Transit, and the small amount of economic activity of the vehicle import sector this year, the Unit has determined an adjustment to the tax rates applicable on selective consumption, in order to give coherence to the tax system between the new values and the tax rate.
Sellers of used cars in Costa Rica believe there is discrimination in the way the Ministry of Finance estimates import taxes on cars.
According to Jose Carballo, president of the Costa Rican Automotive Chamber, the industry complains that 52% is charged for new vehicles, while used cars which are over six years old are charged 79%.
"The tax burden is calculated using a ranking system, explained the Director of Taxation, Carlos Vargas, this means that vehicles from zero to three years old pay 52.29%, four to five years 63.91% and six years or more 79.03%", reported Nacion.com.
The Government of Panama inaugurated the Public Administration Transparency Module, on the web site of the National Customs Authority.
The commissioning of this new tools will allow Panamanians or foreigners to review the information contained in the import and export declarations, without the need for a password.
The Director of the National Customs Authority, Vilma De Luca, said that the tool will promote competition and benefit all Panamanians, who are the consumers, and will help in the supervision of correct customs declaration of the goods.