This directive is mandatory and controls the export and re-export of medical supplies needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Costa Rican General Directorate of Customs published, on March 18, 2020, Directive DGA-003-2020 to control the export and re-export of medical supplies. This directive responds to the national emergency declared through Executive Decree No. 42227-MP-S.

Objectives

To avoid a shortage of medical supplies, this directive controls the export or re-export of products for surgical use. The goods subject to the directive include:

• Disposable caps
• Safety glasses
• Disposable boots
• N95 or FFP2 respirators
• Disposable surgical masks
• Disposable level 2 waterproof gowns in sizes S, M, L, XL
• Nitrile gloves in size M, L, S
• Fully automated polymerase chain-reaction testing systems for the detection of pathogens from biological samples without prior manual treatment (respiratory viruses) and the reagents
• Dacron swabs

Scope

This directive is mandatory for all customs officials, auxiliaries of the customs public function, importers, and exporters.

Validity

This directive is effective from its publication date (March 18, 2020) until the national emergency ends.

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