On June 4, 2013, Costa Rica's Ministry of Commerce issued a press release announcing that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Costa Rica and Peru became effective on June 1.

The Costa Rica-Peru FTA is intended to benefit both nations, particularly small and medium size companies as well as consumers, who will have access to a wider range of products. Some of the exports by Costa Rica include meat, palm, palm oil, chocolate, cocoa and tea among others. Peru’s exports, on the other side, includes products like asparagus, olives, oranges, tangerines, grapes, cocoa products, textiles, jewelry, precious metals and others.

Under the agreement, a certificate of origin must be prepared by the exporter. In both countries, the document needs to be approved by the authority of the exporting country - in Peru it must be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) and in Costa Rica, by the Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER).

For more information please visit Costa Rica’s Ministry of Commerce.