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The twenty imports Costa Rica is best placed to replace.

Costa Rica imported USD 19bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 19bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 1.7bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
101products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
420products Costa Rica already exports well
381product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Costa Rica already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Costa Rica would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Costa Rica does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mmHS 740811

    Comes fromChile 66%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: bars, rods and profiles, of copper alloys (other than... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 147m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Chile supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 147mdown 1% on 2022
  2. 2

    Paper articles: toilet paperHS 481810

    Comes fromGuatemala 41%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: folding cartons, boxes and cases, of... (exports USD 28m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 380k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 41m
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 89m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Guatemala supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 89mdown 1% on 2022
  3. 3

    Paper and paperboard: uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheetsHS 480519

    Comes fromUnited States 91%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: folding cartons, boxes and cases, of... (exports USD 28m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 320k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 47m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 73m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); United States supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 73mdown 28% on 2022
  4. 4

    Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and...HS 340111

    Comes fromGuatemala 44%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWashing and cleaning preparations: surface-active, whether or not... (exports USD 23m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 39m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Guatemala supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 39mup 7% on 2022
  5. 5

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromUnited States 21%, 74 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBlood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and... (exports USD 187m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 111m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 99m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 539m, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2).

    USD 539mup 3% on 2022
  6. 6

    Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690

    Comes fromUnited States 53%, 80 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow... (exports USD 46m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 32m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 109m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); United States supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 109mup 54% on 2022
  7. 7

    Washing and cleaning preparations: powders, flakes and granules, surface-active, whether or not containing soap...HS 340250

    Comes fromGuatemala 34%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWashing and cleaning preparations: surface-active, whether or not... (exports USD 23m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 16m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 96m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2).

    USD 96mup 30% on 2022
  8. 8

    Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition...HS 870210

    Comes fromChina 45%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMortars and concretes: non-refractory
    Exports of this lineUSD 276k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 82m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); China supplies 45 per cent (1).

    USD 82mup 398% on 2022
  9. 9

    Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of...HS 230400

    Comes fromUnited States 91%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding (exports USD 55m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 489k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 64m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); United States supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 64mup 35% on 2022
  10. 10

    Oral or dental hygiene preparations: dentifricesHS 330610

    Comes fromMexico 60%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOils, essential: of orange (terpeneless or not), including concretes... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 42k
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 49m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); Mexico supplies 60 per cent (1).

    USD 49mup 73% on 2022
  11. 11

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromRussia 62%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: n.e.c. in heading no. 3105 (exports USD 20m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 41m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 46m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); Russia supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 46mdown 43% on 2022
  12. 12

    Wood: coniferous species, of pine (Pinus spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed...HS 440711

    Comes fromChile 87%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWood, tropical: teak, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark... (exports USD 20m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 132k
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 46m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); Chile supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 46mdown 34% on 2022
  13. 13

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120

    Comes fromUnited States 76%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 (exports USD 142m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 432k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 59m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 37m, top 25 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); United States supplies 76 per cent (2).

    USD 37mdown 17% on 2022
  14. 14

    Cotton: not carded or combedHS 520100

    Comes fromUnited States 100%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, less... (exports USD 42m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 316k
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 34m, top 28 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); United States supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 34mup 66% on 2022
  15. 15

    Plaster, or plaster compositions: boards, sheets, panels, tiles and similar articles, faced or reinforced with paper...HS 680911

    Comes fromMexico 82%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCellulose fibre-cement: articles or the like, sheets, panels, tiles... (exports USD 19m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 18k
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 46 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); Mexico supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 21mup 22% on 2022
  16. 16

    Soups and broths and preparations thereforHS 210410

    Comes fromUnited States 46%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 (exports USD 878m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 141k
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 50 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); United States supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 20mup 16% on 2022
  17. 17

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity...HS 870332

    Comes fromThailand 49%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRubber: vulcanised (other than hard rubber), articles n.e.c. in...
    Exports of this lineUSD 78k; 8 more lines in the heading, USD 1.2bn
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 60m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); Thailand supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 60mup 52% on 2022
  18. 18

    Perfumes and toilet watersHS 330300

    Comes fromColombia 48%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOils, essential: of orange (terpeneless or not), including concretes... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 478k
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 57m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); Colombia supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 57mup 101% on 2022
  19. 19

    Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not...HS 392010

    Comes fromGuatemala 25%, 47 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 (exports USD 142m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 10m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 85m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 57m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2).

    USD 57mdown 13% on 2022
  20. 20

    Odoriferous substances and mixtures: of a kind used in the food or drink industriesHS 330210

    Comes fromUnited States 37%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOils, essential: of orange (terpeneless or not), including concretes... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 23m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 55m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Costa Rica's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2).

    USD 55mup 51% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Costa Rica already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Steel, stainless: wire imports USD 147m, exports USD 3m, top source United States 62%
  • Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 imports USD 268m, exports USD 142m, top source United States 64%
  • Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, other than those of item no.... imports USD 137m, exports USD 19m, top source United States 85%
  • Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, n.e.c. in item no. 3917.30 imports USD 100m, exports USD 17m, top source United States 93%
  • Dog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding imports USD 87m, exports USD 30m, top source United States 36%
  • Ethylene polymers: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or... imports USD 75m, exports USD 22m, top source United States 34%
  • Paper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or... imports USD 66m, exports USD 20m, top source Honduras 46%
  • Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no.... imports USD 80m, exports USD 34m, top source Mexico 46%
  • Plastics: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of... imports USD 36m, exports USD 6m, top source United States 34%
  • Insecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2... imports USD 45m, exports USD 20m, top source United States 23%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 381 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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