Israel Customs Regulations 

Israel - Returning Citizen

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED 

• New & Old passports of last 6 years (up to 8 years). 

• Packing list in English 

• Proof of residence in Israel

• Residence visa

• Valued inventory in Hebrew

• Invoices for new items

• Rental contract / lease agreement (1-year minimum)

• Israeli customs forms (MB130 & MB165)

• EUR-1 / certificate of origin for items less than 1 year old (Israeli citizens living abroad 2 or more years)

• Letter of employment

• Customs bond

• Bank guarantee / bank deposit

• A-3 status stamp in passport (religious individuals: ministers, priests, theological students, etc.)

• Israeli identity card (single persons), divorce papers (divorced persons), death certificate (widows / widower

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CUSTOMS REGULATIONS 

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• In general, Israeli citizens who have lived abroad for less than 2 years do not qualify for a tax exemption for the shipment. 

  • The shipment will be taxed by Israeli Customs based on its tariff (Customs duties plus valued added tax (VAT) charged on the value plus sales tax).

• If the owner of the goods did a formal export when leaving Israel (e.g., via a certified international mover or freight forwarder) and the original export documents are found in that company's archives, then all items on the export list matching the import list can be imported tax free (Israelis living abroad for less than 2 years).

• Owner(s) of the goods must present an original Customs stamp as copies are not permitted (Israeli citizens).

• Israeli citizens who have lived abroad for more than 2 years are considered a returning citizen.

• Returning Israelis living abroad more than 2 years can import household goods and personal effects tax free once Customs has stamped the passport “returning Israeli.” These items, if imported, will be taxed by Israeli Customs according to Customs tariff.

• Once Israeli Customs stamps the passport with “returning Israeli,” the owner of the goods may import one of each item for household goods / personal effects, and appliances tax free.

• Religious individuals / A-3 visa holders must pay a bank guarantee / bank deposit, which will be released or paid back once leaving Israel and exporting the household goods.

• From 2-6 years partial rights (see List #1) 

• Returning citizens, more than 6 years - (see list #2) 

List #1 - Duty free items for Returning Israelis out of   Israel from 2-6 years

List #2 - Duty free items for Immigrants and Returning Israelis out of Israel for 6 years and more. 

Bicycle

Refrigerator (Or Deep Freeze Instead)

Licensed Pistol

Washing Machine-or-Washer & Dryer operating one engine

Crockery / Kitchenware

Baking and Cooking oven

Bedding

TV

Musical Instruments (other than Piano and Organ)

Hi-fi System & CD excluding Laser Disc

Lighting Fixtures

Vacuum Cleaner

Toiletries

Musical Instruments (excluding Piano or Organ)

Fan

Personal Computer (excluding scanner)

Iron

Mixer / Food Processor & accessories.

Pocket Calculator

Peculator / Coffee Maker

PC or Laptop

Toaster / Toaster-Oven

Hair Dryer/Fan

Electrical Knife

Bread Slicer

Tape-Cassettes (Not Exceeding 50 units)

Electric Razor

Stroller

Manual Typewriter

Camera

Spool

Heater

Sewing Machine

Furniture

Screen for Slides and Movies

Kitchenware & Cooking Utensils

Film Projector

Linen

Food Processor

Lamps

Camera / Not Video

Toys

Toaster

Ornaments

Binoculars

Bicycles

Baby Carriage

Dishwasher

Percolator

Microwave

Toys

Fan / Ventilator

Decorative Items

Iron

Video Tapes

Binoculars

Furnishing

Shaving Machine

Clock

Portable Typewriter

Jewellery (Personal Items)

Film Projector Up To 16mm

Heating Unit

Slide Projector

Records

Knitting Machine

 

CD / Records (Up to 200 Units)

 

Toiletry

MOTOR VEHICLES 

• Permit from Israeli Ministry of Transportation must be obtained prior to loading vehicle for shipping.

  • If vehicle arrives to Israel and owner of the goods does not have permit, penalties could be levied by Israeli Customs, on behalf of Israel Ministry of Transportation.

• For returning Israelis with EURO 1 or certificate of origin the duties are approximately 128.15%; without the documents, the duties are 144.12%.

• All cars must comply with the Israeli Institute of Standards.

• Full taxes and duties apply over CIF value of the vehicle (i.e. value of vehicle + cost of shipping combined).

• Right-hand drive vehicles (i.e. from UK, Australia, etc.) are NOT permitted to be imported to Israel.

• Any vehicle loaded into a container (with or without personal effects) is subject to stripping / de-vanning from the container at port, by port personnel.

• The duties for new immigrants is applied as follows:

  • Up to 1750 cc:              46.25 %

  • Over 1750 cc:               75.50 %

• Please contact agent in Israel before Import.  

PETS

• The import license must be issued within 10 days of arrival by the Director of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, for pets not transported as part of accompanied baggage (limit of 2).

• A copy of the veterinary health certificate and details of pet’s arrival must be forwarded to the Director of Veterinary Services at least 2 days prior to import.

• For pets transported as accompanied baggage, the owner must provide a declaration that the pet has been in his or her possession for at least 90 days prior to import.

• Healthy pets with accompanying documentation will not be quarantined.

• Cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies within 1 year but no less than 30 days prior to arrival in Israel (the dosage must have been equal to or greater 0.5 IU/ml).

• Cats and dogs must be older than 4 months upon arrival, with the exception of pets imported from Great Britain, Japan and Cyprus (3 months old is permitted).

• Cats and dogs must have an electronic chip in conformance with Israeli requirements.

• Some breeds of dogs cannot be imported; check with agent for specific details.

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS 

• Cigarettes (250) and tobacco products (250 g)

• Gifts (non-residents may import gifts equal to approximately USD 125)

• Inheritance papers (must be issued by the Israeli Court)

• Appliances (no special privileges except 25% discount on sales tax)

• Alcohol  (dutiable)

• Communications equipment, including phones, fax machines, etc. (dutiable)

• Curtains, drapes and carpets (dutiable)

• Devices fuelled by natural gas, such as methane, propane, etc. (must be approved by the Standards Institution of Israel, including the following gas-powered items:  barbecue grills, hobs/burners, cookers, ovens, heaters, etc.  Without approval, items are subject to confiscation and destruction by Customs authorities and the owner of the goods is liable for charges incurred during the process.)

PROHIBITED ITEMS 

• Weapons and ammunitions

• Dangerous chemicals

• Explosives

• Drugs

• Gas BBQ / Grill (of any kind)

• Electric bicycle / scooter / moped (of any kind)

• Food (2 kg)

• Wine / alcohol (2 L)

• Biological commodity (seeds, plants, raw wood, etc.)

• Outdoor furniture (e.g., plastic chairs, tables, grills, etc.)

• Sporting equipment

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Israel - Foreign Citizen

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED 

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• Express release bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)

• Passport

• Packing list in English

• Proof of residence in Israel

• Residence visa

• Valued inventory in Hebrew

• Invoices for new items

• Rental contract / lease agreement (1-year minimum)

• Israeli customs forms (MB130 & MB165)

• New immigrant booklet “Teudat Oleh” (foreigners)

• Letter of employment

• Customs bond

• Bank guarantee / bank deposit

• A-3 status stamp in passport (religious individuals: ministers, priests, theological students, etc.)

• Israeli identity card (single persons), divorce papers (divorced persons), death certificate (widows / widowers)

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CUSTOMS REGULATIONS 

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• Duty-free entry for household goods and personal effects.

• Only items for personal use are permitted for import.

• Only one of each type of electrical appliance is permitted.

• Carpets, communications equipment, sporting equipment and outdoor furniture are subject to partial or full duties, depending on the item.

• The valued inventory should be in Hebrew, and should include values of all items, giving make, serial number and appliance manufacturer’s name, whether used or new and sizes for all fabric items (provided by D/A)

• The date of arrival is the date of first entry into Israel as marked in the “Teudat Oleh” booklet issued upon arrival.

• The number of duty-free shipments is limited to three (3).

• The lease contract / rental agreement must be a minimum of 1 year and if furnished, should specify which items will remain in the residence, as Customs will not allow identical items to be brought in duty free.

• The import of a car and professional tools will not be calculated within the framework of the three duty-free shipments permitted.

• Household goods and personal effects must arrive at the port of entry (POE) within 3 years from the date of arrival.

• Religious individuals / A-3 visa holders must pay a bank guarantee / bank deposit, which will be released or paid back once leaving Israel and exporting the household goods.

• New immigrants are entitled to the tax-free importation of household effects as well as personal effects.

  • In order to utilize this privilege, the owner of the goods must present the immigration booklet (Teudat Oleh).

• New immigrants must surrender their original passport along with the original new immigration booklet to Israeli Customs during the clearance process.

• All goods imported by tourists (B-2) are subject to Customs duties.

• Consignee's employer will have to raise a bank guarantee in the amount of duties levied by Israeli Customs to clear the shipment without paying taxes.

  • This guarantee will have to be renewed every year and can be revoked only when the goods are exported out of Israel (foreign workers / B-1 visa holders).

• The bank guarantee applies to Israeli Customs duties and taxes only, and does not cover other port related charges like NVOCC handling charges, cargo terminal charges and wharfage fee (foreigner workers / B-1 Visa holders).

• The bank guarantee must be renewed annually.

  • Once consignee departs from Israel, goods need to be re-exported.

  • Consignee cannot sell goods with value (furniture, appliances, etc.) in Israel.

MOTOR VEHICLES 

• All cars must comply with the Israeli Institute of Standards.

• Permit from Israeli Ministry of Transportation must be obtained prior to loading vehicle for shipping.

  • If vehicle arrives to Israel and owner of the goods does not have permit, penalties could be levied by Israeli Customs, on behalf of Israel Ministry of Transportation.

• Full taxes and duties apply over CIF value of the vehicle (i.e. value of vehicle + cost of shipping combined).

• Right-hand drive vehicles (i.e. from UK, Australia, etc.) are NOT permitted to be imported to Israel.

• Any vehicle loaded into a container (with or without personal effects) is subject to stripping / de-vanning from the container at port, by port personnel.

• The duties for new immigrants is applied as follows:

  • Up to 1750 cc:              46.25 %

  • Over 1750 cc:               75.50 %

PETS

• The import license must be issued within 10 days of arrival by the Director of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, for pets not transported as part of accompanied baggage (limit of 2).

• A copy of the veterinary health certificate and details of pet’s arrival must be forwarded to the Director of Veterinary Services at least 2 days prior to import.

• For pets transported as accompanied baggage, the owner must provide a declaration that the pet has been in his or her possession for at least 90 days prior to import.

• Healthy pets with accompanying documentation will not be quarantined.

• Cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies within 1 year but no less than 30 days prior to arrival in Israel (the dosage must have been equal to or greater 0.5 IU/ml).

• Cats and dogs must be older than 4 months upon arrival, with the exception of pets imported from Great Britain, Japan and Cyprus (3 months old is permitted).

• Cats and dogs must have an electronic chip in conformance with Israeli requirements.

• Some breeds of dogs cannot be imported; check with agent for specific details.

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS 

• Cigarettes (250) and tobacco products (250 g)

• Gifts (non-residents may import gifts equal to approximately USD 125)

• Inheritance papers (must be issued by the Israeli Court)

• Appliances (no special privileges except 25% discount on sales tax)

• Alcohol  (dutiable)

• Communications equipment, including phones, fax machines, etc. (dutiable)

• Curtains, drapes and carpets (dutiable)

• Devices fuelled by natural gas, such as methane, propane, etc. (must be approved by the Standards Institution of Israel, including the following gas-powered items:  barbecue grills, hobs/burners, cookers, ovens, heaters, etc.  Without approval, items are subject to confiscation and destruction by Customs authorities and the owner of the goods is liable for charges incurred during the process.)

PROHIBITED ITEMS 

• Weapons and ammunitions

• Dangerous chemicals

• Explosives

• Drugs

• Gas BBQ / Grill (of any kind)

• Electric bicycle / scooter / moped (of any kind)

• Food (2 kg)

• Wine / alcohol (2 L)

• Biological commodity (seeds, plants, raw wood, etc.)

• Outdoor furniture (e.g., plastic chairs, tables, grills, etc.)

• Sporting equipment

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Israel - Diplomat

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DOCUMENTS REQUIRED 

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• Diplomatic passport

• Tax exemption franchise 

• Diplomatic ID card 

• Packing list 

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CUSTOMS REGULATIONS 

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• Diplomats are entitled to a tax-free importation of personal effects, once a tax exemption franchise is obtained by the diplomatic organization (e.g., embassy, consulate or organization) in which the diplomat is physically serving.

• The diplomatic ID card can be obtained at the diplomatic department at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem.

  • Once obtained, a tax exemption franchise from Customs can be obtained by presenting the OBL, packing list and Customs forms.

  • Once the original tax exemption papers are received by the destination agent, the shipment can be cleared tax free.

• Owner of shipment must be in the country. 

MOTOR VEHICLES 

• Tax exemption required.

PETS

• The import license must be issued within 10 days of arrival by the Director of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, for pets not transported as part of accompanied baggage (limit of 2).

• A copy of the veterinary health certificate and details of pet’s arrival must be forwarded to the Director of Veterinary Services at least 2 days prior to import.

• For pets transported as accompanied baggage, the owner must provide a declaration that the pet has been in his or her possession for at least 90 days prior to import.

• Healthy pets with accompanying documentation will not be quarantined.

• Cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies within 1 year but no less than 30 days prior to arrival in Israel (the dosage must have been equal to or greater 0.5 IU/ml).

• Cats and dogs must be older than 4 months upon arrival, with the exception of pets imported from Great Britain, Japan and Cyprus (3 months old is permitted).

• Cats and dogs must have an electronic chip in conformance with Israeli requirements.

• Some breeds of dogs cannot be imported; check with agent for specific details.

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS 

• Tax exemption required

PROHIBITED ITEMS 

• Weapons and ammunitions

• Dangerous chemicals

• Explosives

• Drugs

• Gas BBQ / Grill (of any kind)

• Electric bicycle / scooter / moped (of any kind)

• Food (2 kg)

• Wine / alcohol (2 L)

• Biological commodity (seeds, plants, raw wood, etc.)

• Outdoor furniture (e.g., plastic chairs, tables, grills, etc.)

• Sporting equipment

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