CBD regulations in Costa Rica depend on the product, its composition and its intended use. A CBD cosmetic, a hemp food and a cannabis-based medicine do not share one universal THC limit or registration route. Check the applicable category before buying, importing or selling.
Which rules apply to CBD products?
Law 10113 provides the medicinal-cannabis and hemp framework. For hemp-derived consumer products, Decree 44844 establishes RTCR 511:2023. For cannabis-based medicines, Decree 44917-S establishes RTCR 515:2024. The Ministry of Health publishes the registration procedures, while MAG handles agricultural authorizations within its remit.
Why “under 1% THC” is not enough
RTCR 511 defines hemp as having total THC below 1% by dry weight. That is not a blanket permission for every finished product. Its requirements differ for foods, supplements, cosmetics and other categories.
For example, the regulation sets a THC limit of 10 mg/kg for hemp-seed oil and 0.2 mg/kg for foods made from parts other than seeds. CBD-extract cosmetics have a separate total-THC ceiling of 0.2%; other permitted cannabis ingredients in cosmetics are addressed differently. These examples are not a complete compliance checklist.
A seller’s “CBD” label or claim of low THC cannot replace the applicable registration, quality and labeling requirements. Foods and supplements cannot simply be marketed with therapeutic claims.
Cannabis-based medicines follow a separate route
RTCR 515:2024 covers cannabis-based medicinal products. It includes packaged dried flowers, defined dosage forms and pharmacy-compounded preparations, with different requirements. Compounded preparations have a specific exemption from product registration; this does not exempt the pharmacy from its other obligations.
Dispensing medicinal products is a pharmacist’s responsibility against a prescription from an authorized professional. The regulation addresses product information, quality controls and appropriate handling. Do not assume a foreign prescription or a product sold abroad automatically meets Costa Rican requirements.
The Ministry of Health’s current registration page directs applicants to Regístrelo and lists required manufacturing, analysis and labeling documents. It also links a 2026 technical circular. A registration framework being available does not mean every advertised brand has been approved.
Questions to ask before buying
- What is the product’s regulatory category?
- Does its registration or applicable authorization match its name, manufacturer and intended use?
- Are the cannabinoid contents, lot and expiry information available?
- For medicinal use, has a qualified clinician assessed whether it is appropriate, including possible interactions with other medicines?
Ask the pharmacist or supplier for verifiable product information. If it cannot be provided, confirm the position with the Health Ministry before relying on advertising.
Bringing CBD into Costa Rica
Before travel or an international order, obtain guidance for the exact product, ingredients, amount and import route. Personal luggage, courier shipments and commercial imports should not be assumed to have identical requirements. Keep the original packaging and relevant documentation, but do not treat those documents alone as permission to import.
This guide does not promise that customs will overlook small quantities or that buyers have no legal exposure. The previous article’s claims about routine non-enforcement were not adequately supported.
CBD rules do not settle home-cultivation questions
The PGR’s April 2025 legal opinion distinguishes exclusively personal consumption and cultivation from commercial activity. It is a non-binding opinion on a bill, not an enacted allowance of a particular number of plants. See our cannabis plants and legal distinctions guide for that separate issue.
Official sources
Reviewed September 6, 2026. Confirm requirements for your specific product with the competent authority.