In 1848 seventy vessels entered Puntarenas, having a registration of 7180 tons. In 1884 this number had increased to 113, having 137,368 tons registration, and in the same year there entered Port Limon 121 vessels of 126,875 aggregate tonnage. In 1894 there entered 158 vessels with 155,869 tons at Puntarenas, and 294 vessels with 348,355 tons at Port Limon. The freight in 1858 on coffee to Panama by steamer alone was five-eighths of a cent per pound. In 1870 the West India and Pacific Company’s steamers received as freights from Puntarenas to Liverpool, £5 10s. 0d. per ton; from Puntarenas to London, £6 2s. 6d. per ton.

In 1888 freights from Puntarenas to European ports were £4 per ton, and from Port Limon £2. To-day the freight rates are cheaper still.

The present tariff is in many ways inequitable. It is based on no principle, and, with the exception of some later laws especially enacted, it does not correspond with the economic condition and commerce of the country. Yet on a great number of articles the tariff is less than in Mexico, Guatemala, Salvador, Peru, Bolivia and Uruguay.

The custom-duties are collected on gross weight, and generally amount to from twenty to twenty-five per cent. on the valuation of imports. They are paid one-half down and one-half within three months’ time. All goods for Costa Rica have to come accompanied by corresponding consular invoices. The principal importations are silk, wool, linen, cotton, machinery, implements and tools for agriculture and other industries, furniture, glassware, tinware, hardware and haberdashery, ornaments, articles of luxury, mercury and perfumery, beer, wines, liquors, soap, coffee-sacks, flour, sugar, shoes, saddles, harnesses, butter, etc.

Table of Exports and Imports of Costa Rica Since 1884.

Exportations.Importations.
1884$3,745,400gold.$3,521,900gold.
18852,535,500”3,660,900”
18862,257,600”3,537,600”
18874,689,100”5,601,200”
18884,052,300”5,201,900”
18894,612,800”6,306,400”
18906,664,700”6,615,400”
18916,116,800”8,351,000”
18924,725,900”5,389,700”
18934,294,200”5,849,500”
1894{ 5,053,113”4,094,853”
{12,488,263silver.
1895{ 5,922,204gold.3,851,460”
{14,509,440silver.
18965,597,727gold.4,748,818”

Imports and Exports by Countries.

1892.
Imports in gold.Exports in silver.
Great Britain$1,702,145$4,916,287
Germany947,647386,737
France526,38270,004
Spain189,623—
Italy32,412—
Belgium7,280—
United States1,295,6823,642,896
Mexico18,725—
Colombia$82,326$20,912
Ecuador125,416800
Peru3,890502
Cuba123,921—
Jamaica81,609—
Central America252,69175,810
1893.
Imports in gold.
Great Britain$1,697,944
Germany1,123,836
France807,761
Spain192,026
Italy39,829
United States1,399,615
Mexico11,993
Colombia228,036
Ecuador94,387
Cuba40,023
Jamaica25,939
Central America143,437
Total$5,804,926
1894.
Imports in gold.
Great Britain$907,462
Germany566,367
France223,479
Spain (Cuba)103,276
Italy40,215
United States940,640
Colombia32,138
Ecuador36,917
Belgium7,082