Check Marchamo by License Plate in Costa Rica
Check the Marchamo amount, payment status, fiscal value, and detailed breakdown by category. Ideal for verifying how much you need to pay before going to the bank or paying online.
No spaces or dashes. Examples: ABC123, 123456.
What does the Marchamo include?
The Marchamo (road circulation tax) usually includes several charges, such as mandatory insurance, vehicle property tax, contributions to COSEVI and municipalities, stamps, VAT, among others. The total amount may vary depending on the vehicle's fiscal value and the plate type.
When is the Marchamo due?
The Marchamo must be paid every year before December 31. If you don't pay on time, your vehicle will not be authorized to circulate on public roads starting January 1 of the following year. The payment period usually opens in November, and the INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros) announces the exact dates each year.
How to pay the Marchamo in Costa Rica
There are several ways to pay your Marchamo in Costa Rica. You can choose the method that works best for you:
- In person at any authorized bank (Banco Nacional, BCR, BAC, Scotiabank, Davivienda, among others).
- Online through the INS website or authorized banking platforms.
- Through mobile banking apps from most Costa Rican banks.
- At authorized retail locations and supermarkets (some AutoMercado, Walmart, and others accept Marchamo payments).
You will need your license plate number and plate type to make the payment. Keep your receipt as proof of payment.
What happens if you don't pay the Marchamo?
Driving without a valid Marchamo is illegal in Costa Rica. If you are caught driving without it after December 31, traffic police can issue a fine and your vehicle may be impounded. Additionally, your mandatory vehicle insurance (SOA) will not be active, meaning you won't be covered in case of an accident. It's important to pay on time to avoid legal issues and ensure your vehicle is properly insured.
What is the fiscal value of a vehicle?
The fiscal value is the estimated worth of a vehicle as determined by the Ministry of Finance (Hacienda) in Costa Rica. It is used to calculate the vehicle property tax and other Marchamo components. The fiscal value is based on the vehicle's make, model, year, and engine size, and it typically depreciates over time. You can check your vehicle's fiscal value through the Marchamo lookup tool above.
Understanding the Marchamo breakdown
The Marchamo is not a single tax — it's a bundle of different charges collected together. Here's what each category typically means:
- SOA (Mandatory Insurance)
- The obligatory vehicle insurance that covers third-party damages in case of a traffic accident. This is the largest portion of the Marchamo.
- Vehicle Property Tax
- An annual tax based on the fiscal value of your vehicle, collected by the municipality where the vehicle is registered.
- COSEVI
- A contribution to the Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Road Safety Council), which funds road safety programs and infrastructure.
- Municipal Contributions
- Fees collected for the municipality, used to fund local road maintenance and public services.
- Stamps and Fees
- Various government stamps and administrative fees required by law.
- VAT (IVA)
- Value-added tax applied to certain components of the Marchamo.
Quick tips
- Make sure the license plate is entered correctly (no spaces).
- Save the breakdown to compare it with the payment receipt.
- If a warning message appears, review the details before paying.
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